Norway must not permit ocean dumping of CO2

Dumping industrial waste at sea is illegal, yet Norway's Pollution Control Authority (SFT) has given a consortium of research institutions approval to dump 5.4 tonnes of liquid carbon (CO2) dioxide in the Norwegian Sea in late July and early August.

Carbon dioxide is the world's biggest industrial waste product, and its build-up in the atmosphere stems mainly from burning oil, coal and gas. This is the primary cause of climate change.

But dumping of CO2 into oceans is a highly suspect approach to the problem, one which might ultimately prove to be a climate time-bomb. "In light of the ecological risks of carbon sequestration in the deep oceans, and the unproven long-term benefits of this approach, further research of this approach should be abandoned", says scientist Paul Johnson at University of Exeter.

The consortium planning the experiment is funded by governments in the USA, Australia and Canada, countries known as the "Filthy Three" for obstructing and undermining international agreements on climate change and the Earth Summit. Japan, Norway and the coal industry-supported ABB Corporate Research are also part of this consortium.

The Norwegian Minister of the Environment must now reverse the SFT's decision, and overturn the approval for this misguided experiment. Both the London and OSPAR Conventions forbid the dumping of industrial waste at sea, including CO2 derived from fossil fuel use. Should Norway allow this test to proceed, it will be a first step towards allowing industrial dumping of CO2 at sea. This would break these international laws and spur consumption of climate-changing fossil fuels.

"It's no surprise that the USA, Australia and Canada are supporting this project. However, we are surprised that Norway once again is volunteering to be their tool in derailing international agreements and promoting continued use of fossil fuels," said Truls Gulowsen, Greenpeace Norway climate campaigner.

Two similar CO2 dumping experiments were called off in Hawaii because of grassroots public protest. Now groups in Norway, including Greenpeace, WWF and Friends of the Earth have opposed the project.

"This must be stopped, as there are so many other ways to combat climate change that are not nearly as insane as this approach," said Hawaiian fisherman Isaac Harp, who led a successful effort to halt dumping in that country.

The real solution to climate change is to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy such as solar and wind power.

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For more background information:

Read the Greenpeace position paper on ocean dumping of carbon dioxide

Find information on the OSPAR Convention (Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic)

Find information on the London Convention (Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972)

Find information on the The Coalition to Stop C02 Dumping