By Quinn McVeigh
Patagonia, Scania, Triodos Bank and Volkswagen Group are among the newest to join a group of corporations pledging against funding deep-sea mining and using it in their own production processes.
The companies, now joining Google, BMW Group, Volvo Group, Samsung SDI and Philips, cite growing concerns for threatened marine ecosystems as the motivation, according to a statement.
The spaces that could be affected by deep-sea mining include largely unexplored seafloor ecosystems, such as hydrothermal vents, which are holes in the ocean crust that release seawater heated by hot magma. Hydrothermal vents often support octopuses, mussels, crabs, shrimp, tubeworms, zoarcid fish, sea dandelions, a large diversity of bacteria, and other creatures that have evolved to withstand extreme conditions.
85 percent of species living among these hydrothermal vents can’t be found anywhere else.
“This is really about some of the most pristine and unknown areas of the world,” said Iris Lether, investment strategist for Triodos Bank.
The look-before-you-leap type of moratorium, spearheaded by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, directs companies to wait until there is more information on the ability of deep-sea mining to be done sustainably before they choose to fund or use it.
Deep-sea mining is not currently taking place. However, it is in the works, potentially starting as soon as 2023, once the International Seabed Authority, the United Nations’ administration on seabed mineral extraction, and stakeholders determine the legality of it.
According to Rakhyun Kim, assistant professor of global environmental governance at Utrecht University, The Netherlands, deep-sea mining could generate grave ecological consequences.
“However you look at it, it’s going to cause environmental harm,” Kim said.
More specifically, impacts may include habitat destruction, seafloor compaction and the introduction of heavy metals into marine food webs, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.
Additionally, the deep ocean is Earth’s largest carbon reservoir. Disturbing this could exacerbate climate change.
Elements found in the deep sea such as cobalt, manganese, lithium and nickel are crucial to the way we live our lives. Plus, the growth of green technologies, such as electric cars and renewable energy, is dependent on these materials.
But there are alternatives to deep-sea mining.
In an article, Kim pointed out how “the recycling rates of metals are far lower than their potential for reuse.” Recycling rates are below 1 percent for rare earth metals, such as those present in the seabed.
“There is still untapped potential in recycling metals,” Kim said.
David Santillo and Kevin Brigden, both senior scientists at Greenpeace, believe that exploration into deep-sea mining gives rise to more fundamental questions about humanity’s overconsumption of natural resources.
For example, even though a transition to electric cars would slow climate change, do we really need billions of cars on the road in general? Why aren’t societies investing more into sustainable public transport systems that would both ease the effects of climate change and reduce the need for mineral extraction? Why aren’t cities investing more into quality bike lanes and walking spaces that would get people off the road?
“If the answer to your question is mining the seabed, then maybe you’re asking the wrong question,” Santillo said.
About The Author
Quinn McVeigh is a recent University of Arizona graduate who earned his degree in journalism and environmental studies. He is an Arizona native whose road trips to the beaches of California during his time in college and discovery of ocean-related issues through his studies piqued his interest in ocean journalism and conservation. In the future, Quinn hopes to work with environmental issues through nonprofit, government or news organizations.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media
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