Fossil fuel exploration is casting a shadow over the Coral Triangle, one of the world’s most biodiverse marine regions, according to a report released on Saturday. Coinciding with the UN’s COP16 summit on biodiversity in Colombia, the report warns that the expansion of oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in the Indo-Pacific is endangering marine species and the livelihoods of millions who depend on the sea.
Dubbed the “Amazon of the Seas” for its unparalleled marine diversity, the Coral Triangle spans over 10 million square kilometers across the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands. This vast area harbors three-quarters of the world’s known coral species, serving as a critical habitat for six of the seven marine turtle species and a feeding ground for whales and other marine mammals.
“More than 120 million people rely on the Coral Triangle for food, income, and cultural identity,” the report states. However, increasing fossil fuel activities threaten this delicate ecosystem. The report highlights that oil and gas concessions overlap with tens of thousands of square kilometers of marine protected areas.
Currently, over 100 offshore oil and gas blocks are active in the region, with an additional 450 blocks under exploration. “If all these blocks proceed to production, about 16 percent of the Coral Triangle would be directly impacted by fossil fuel development,” the report cautions.
The expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure not only disrupts marine habitats but also heightens the risk of oil spills. Since July 2020, satellite observations have detected 793 oil slicks in the Coral Triangle, covering a cumulative area of over 24,000 square kilometers—comparable to the land area of the Solomon Islands. “Most of these slicks were caused by transiting vessels, with some attributed to oil infrastructure,” the report notes.
In response to these findings, the authors call for a moratorium on oil, gas, mining, and other industrial activities in environmentally sensitive areas within the Coral Triangle. They advocate for the region to be designated as a “particularly sensitive sea area,” warranting special protection from shipping activities.
The report also urges a shift away from reliance on LNG as a transitional fuel. “Leapfrogging the use of LNG and moving directly toward clean energy sources is crucial to preserve marine biodiversity and combat climate change,” it emphasizes.
This call to action aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which was agreed upon two years ago by 196 parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. The framework sets forth 23 targets to “halt and reverse” biodiversity loss by 2030, including the effective conservation and management of 30 percent of marine and coastal areas and the restoration of another 30 percent.
As the world grapples with the dual challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, the fate of the Coral Triangle serves as a critical bellwether. Protecting this “Amazon of the Seas” is not only vital for the region but also for the global community that relies on healthy oceans.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
