
Youth Policy Dialogues
A new round of discussions
We should grow the blue economy without harming the ocean
Young people believe we need strong environmental checks before starting any ocean-based projects, such as wind farms or mining minerals like cobalt and nickel. Young people said we should not rush into deep-sea mining without knowing the long-term effects. We should find a balance between economic benefits and protecting marine life. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a big part of this, but young people emphasised that they must allow for multiple uses. This is especially true near busy coastlines where tourism, fishing, and recreation all share the same space. Sustainable maritime spatial planning is key to protecting the ocean while enabling future jobs and innovation. How can we grow a strong blue economy without harming the ocean?
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