A window into what we’re reading at the Stimson Center’s Environmental Security Program

Argentina’s “Glacier Law” Opens Ecologically Sensitive Areas to Mining (Al-Jazeera)

Politicians in Argentina approved a bill pushed by President Javier Milei to authorize mining in ecologically sensitive areas of the nation containing nearly 17,000 glaciers and/or rock glaciers and permafrost which heavily support the country’s water security. Dubbed the “Glacier Law,” the measure is designed to leverage the vast critical mineral reserves (such as copper and lithium) found in frozen parts of the Andes mountains.

Argentina is a major producer of lithium, which is key both to the green energy sectors and global technologies. Estimates suggest that the country could triple its mining exports by 2030. The new bill will empower local governments to decide whether they will protect glaciers or expand extractive zones for economic purposes. Environmentalists in the country have turned out in droves to protest the legislation. They argue that climate change has already reduced glacier coverage in mining localities by 17%, thus making protection of these resources more important than ever.

READ | The Challenge of Securing Access to Minerals for the Green Transition

New Measure in Brazil Requires Satellite Deforestation Verification for Rural Credit (Associated Press)

This week, Brazilian banks will be required to cross-reference satellite deforestation data maintained by the Ministry of Environment before approving any rural credit. As the world’s largest beef exporter and biggest soybean producer, Brazil has long faced criticism over agriculture-driven deforestation in the Amazon and other biomes. Now, the farmers of a property flagged for potential illegal deforestation occurring after July 31, 2019 must provide documentation — such as authorization records, restoration plans, or remote-sensing reports — to demonstrate legal compliance before any loans can proceed.

Supporters of the new rule see agricultural credit—a tool which historically has rapidly expanded agri-business—as a lever to incentivize sustainable land use and strengthen environmental accountability across the sector. Brazil’s banking federation also has expressed its overall support, noting that the system allows credit to continue flowing if farmers can demonstrate compliance. But the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil has warned that the measure not only creates uncertainty in the lending process, but also risks restricting credit access for farmers who may actually be following environmental law. The Confederation is supporting new legislation to block the measure.

READ | Protecting Brazil’s Forests Could Boost Economic Development

Oil Spill from Bombed Iranian Drone Carrier Threatens Protected Wetland (The Guardian)

Satellite imagery shows that oil spilled from a sunken Iranian ship now threatens to contaminate one of the Middle East’s most important wetlands. The Shahid Bargheri, a drone carrier, was bombed by US warplanes on March 6. The ship has been leaking heavy fuel in Iran’s territorial waters since running aground after that attack in the middle of the shallow Khuran strait—an ecologically important channel between mainland Iran and the island of Qeshm.  Oil from this spill is travelling westwards towards the Hara Biosphere reserve, which is a critical ecosystem for migrating birds, critically endangered turtles, and many species of fish and crustaceans. Since nearby fishing communities depend almost entirely on resources found in this reserve, their livelihoods are now at risk.

The Shahid Bargheri spill is the largest and most consequential of a number of different oil spills that have occurred due to attacks on ships throughout the war. It also underscores how environmental concerns have fallen to the sidelines during war, especially since the heavy bombardment inflicted on Iran has left no services available to clean up these ecological threats.

READ | The Environment Has Become a Hostage of Armed Conflict