An investigation conducted jointly by NGOs Oceana and Uplift has raised concerns over the UK Government's plans to permit a series of offshore fossil fuel projects, with 40% of these developments falling within areas designated as off-limits. The analysis focused on potential oil and gas developments in the North Sea, revealing a significant risk of damage to critical marine ecosystems. The report highlighted the potential for harm to the North Norfolk Coast Special Protected Area, The Wash and North Norfolk Coast Special Area of Conservation, Shetland's Foula Special Protected Area, Liverpool Bay Special Protected Area, and Southern North Sea Special Protected Area. The threats posed include large-scale oil spills, frequent minor spills, microplastics, and destruction of seabed habitats.
The report particularly noted that deep-sea sponge communities and ancient coral reefs could face complete destruction in certain cases. Although any new licenses with the potential to impact protected areas require Environmental Impact Assessment prior to final approval, earlier research by the Leave It In The Ground Initiative indicated that the UK hosts more fossil fuel sites within protected areas than any other country globally. This decision to grant new oil and gas licenses has drawn criticism from climate-conscious politicians and activists. The UK is a signatory to the Global Ocean Alliance, which aims to protect 30% of the world's seas from human activities by 2030 through a network of marine protected areas. The issuance of new licenses is anticipated to hinder progress in achieving this goal.
Conservative MP Chris Skidmore, who previously published a critical report on the UK's net zero progress, expressed disapproval for the licenses, describing them as a move in the "wrong direction at precisely the wrong time." He emphasized that this decision contradicts the global trend of combating record heatwaves and indicated that it stands against modern voters' expectations and the future judgment of history. Tessa Khan, Executive Director at Uplift, further criticized the decision, highlighting that it offers no public benefits while potentially leading to more profits for oil and gas companies. She noted that the extraction, primarily of oil for export, is unlikely to lower UK energy costs or enhance energy security. In the context of the harmful consequences for the UK's marine environment and its dependent species, Khan expressed concern that the government's actions contradict its commitment to protecting the seas. This decision comes amid record-breaking marine heatwaves driven by climate change and has raised concerns about exacerbating environmental challenges.
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Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
