Greenpeace has published a ranking of the most virtuous builders on seabed mining. Five major brands of electric cars stand out.
The American branch of Greenpeace has looked into the most respectful builders of the seabed. Indeed, going to extract materials from the bottom of the oceans is a possibility for the manufacture of electric cars.
Companies that specialize in this type of mining try to make deals with car brands. Greenpeace has ranked manufacturers according to their communication on this subject. Some of them have already announced that they do not want to mine the seabed, and thus want to limit their ecological impact.
This is BMW, RenaultRivian, Volkswagen and Volvo, which support a moratorium on deep sea mining. Greenpeace USA salutes these five brands, and conversely, denounces manufacturers who have not taken such measures.
The three brands denounced by the NGO are therefore Ford, General Motors and Tesla. These three brands have not publicly taken a position on the subject, which Greenpeace deplores.
“If deep-sea mining were to begin on an industrial scale, it would cause significant and irreversible damage to our oceans and our climate”said Arlo Hemphill, leader of Greenpeace’s seabed mining project.
“The stance that Rivian, Renault, BMW Group, Volvo and Volkswagen are taking against deep sea mining is a strong signal for mining companies lining up to plunder one of the world’s most important and fragile ecosystems. of the earth. »
“This new industry might not even have a market. This runs counter to the transition to green energy and transport that we need. »
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Greenpeace calls for efforts from Ford, GM and Tesla
For the three manufacturers that Greenpeace pinpoints, the organization recalls that it is possible for them to oppose this mining. According to her, not to oppose it is to support the exploitation of the seabed and the destruction of biodiversity.
“Ford, General Motors and Tesla have an opportunity to show leadership that puts the well-being of people and our planet first by supporting the call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. Their silence on this issue is not acceptable. »
Greenpeace’s fear is the destruction of the seabed in the Pacific Ocean, as explained by James Hita. The latter is an activist for Greenpeace New Zealand and is worried about the long-term consequences.
“Mining in and around the Pacific will have devastating effects for generations to come. Governments should act on the understanding that things will never change until they stop the extractive industry from overwhelming the oceans for the benefit of the few. »