At the front line of climate change, our oceans, coastlines and coastal communities are being
disproportionately impacted by increasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from
human activities.
The ocean is key to regulating our earth’s climate. The fifth assessment report published by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2013 revealed that our ocean absorbs 93% of the
extra energy from the enhanced greenhouse effect, with warming now being observed at depths of
1,000 m. Its effects include warming seas, sea level rise and ocean acidification. These are all in addition
to all the other human stresses we have put on the oceans from pollution, to nuclear waste dump and
overfishing.
The proposal of Deep-Sea Mining now poses a greater threat to the health of our ocean. As the deep sea
remains understudied and poorly understood, there are many gaps in our understanding of its carbon
storing functions, its biodiversity and ecosystems. This makes it difficult to thoroughly assess the
potential impacts of deep-sea mining and to put in place adequate safeguards to protect the marine
environment.
DEEP SEA COP brings voices from creatures of the deep sea this COP26.To remind world leaders of the
human species that their decision will also affect millions of creatures that have no voice, no one to
represent them at this human gathering. Through a series of illustrations, each piece highlights the
significance of a number of deep-sea creatures, and the potential threats of deep-sea mining on the
deep sea.
disproportionately impacted by increasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from
human activities.
The ocean is key to regulating our earth’s climate. The fifth assessment report published by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2013 revealed that our ocean absorbs 93% of the
extra energy from the enhanced greenhouse effect, with warming now being observed at depths of
1,000 m. Its effects include warming seas, sea level rise and ocean acidification. These are all in addition
to all the other human stresses we have put on the oceans from pollution, to nuclear waste dump and
overfishing.
The proposal of Deep-Sea Mining now poses a greater threat to the health of our ocean. As the deep sea
remains understudied and poorly understood, there are many gaps in our understanding of its carbon
storing functions, its biodiversity and ecosystems. This makes it difficult to thoroughly assess the
potential impacts of deep-sea mining and to put in place adequate safeguards to protect the marine
environment.
DEEP SEA COP brings voices from creatures of the deep sea this COP26.To remind world leaders of the
human species that their decision will also affect millions of creatures that have no voice, no one to
represent them at this human gathering. Through a series of illustrations, each piece highlights the
significance of a number of deep-sea creatures, and the potential threats of deep-sea mining on the
deep sea.