At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan (11–22 November 2024), the critical role of the deep sea in tackling climate change is in the spotlight. Two compelling interviews with Sian Owen, Executive Director of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), highlight the urgent need to protect this essential ecosystem.
The Deep-Sea’s Role in Tackling Climate Change
Sian Owen, Executive Director of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), emphasizes why this vast and biodiverse biome must be central to climate negotiations. The deep-sea absorbs 90% of excess atmospheric heat and sequesters 38% of human-generated CO₂, making it essential for achieving global climate goals. In this interview, Owen calls for urgent commitments at COP29 to protect the deep-sea and secure a sustainable future for the planet.
Why Deep-Sea Mining Is Not the Solution
In the second interview, Sian Owen addresses the growing threat of deep-sea mining, explaining why it is neither necessary nor sustainable. Opening the deep ocean to industrial exploitation would destroy critical biodiversity and undermine its role in combating climate change. Instead, she underscores that a just and sustainable green transition is achievable without deep-sea mining, as governments, scientists, and industries propose alternatives that avoid harming this fragile ecosystem.
Protecting the Deep Sea for a Sustainable Future
These videos serve as a powerful reminder of the deep-sea’s irreplaceable role in global climate action. As discussions continue at COP29, the need for urgent commitments to protect this fragile ecosystem has never been clearer.
Explore more about the DSCC’s work and how you can support efforts to safeguard the deep sea and its critical contributions to our planet’s future.