The Coral Triangle, often hailed as the \"Amazon of the seas\" due to its unparalleled biodiversity, is under significant threat from expanding fossil fuel exploration. A recent report released ahead of the UN's COP16 biodiversity summit in Colombia highlights the urgent danger posed by oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) activities in the Indo-Pacific region.
Spanning over 10 million square kilometers, the Coral Triangle encompasses the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands. This marine haven is home to three-quarters of the world's known coral species, six of the seven marine turtle species, and serves as a crucial feeding ground for whales and other marine mammals. More than 120 million people depend on its resources for their livelihoods.
However, the report reveals a troubling overlap between oil and gas concessions and protected marine areas. Currently, there are over 100 offshore oil and gas blocks in the region, with an additional 450 blocks being explored for future extraction. If all these blocks proceed to production, approximately 16% of the Coral Triangle could be directly impacted by fossil fuel development.
One of the most alarming findings is the increase in tanker traffic and the associated risk of oil spills. Since July 2020, satellites have detected 793 oil slicks in the Coral Triangle, covering an area equivalent to the landmass of the Solomon Islands. Most of these spills were caused by transiting vessels and some by existing oil infrastructure.
The authors of the report advocate for a moratorium on oil, gas, mining, and other industrial activities in the Coral Triangle's environmentally sensitive areas. They also urge the global community to \"leapfrog\" the use of LNG as a transitional fuel, promoting a swift move towards clean energy sources. Additionally, the report recommends designating the Coral Triangle as a \"particularly sensitive sea area\" to ensure enhanced protection from shipping and industrial activities.
This call to action aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. Key targets include conserving and effectively managing 30% of marine and coastal areas and restoring another 30%. Ensuring the health of the Coral Triangle is pivotal to achieving these global biodiversity goals.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
