Photo Banner Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute
Over two thirds of global wildlife is already gone, the climate crisis is wreaking havoc on communities and the environment everywhere. The ocean, which covers most of our planet, faces an onslaught of threats from overfishing to pollution and climate change. Our seas are warming, losing their oxygen and acidifying. All of this is disrupting life in the ocean.
As you and I grapple with these issues, doing everything in our power to halt the decline of our natural world, from ditching single use plastics to cutting back on seafood and reducing our carbon footprint, a new threat looms: deep-sea mining.
Deep-sea mining is the extraction of minerals from the deep-sea, notably of cobalt, nickel and manganese found in what are known as polymetallic nodules at some 4,000 to 6,000 meters deep. These nodules have taken millions of years to form and provide essential habitat for life in the deep ocean. They are not a renewable resource but rather an integral part of marine ecosystems.
If allowed to happen, deep-sea mining will cause wide-spread irreversible damage to life in the deep ocean and risks disturbing carbon stored in the deep sea bed.
Deep-sea mining is poised to take place on the High Seas. The High Seas make up almost half of our planet and belong to no single nation. This means enforcement and accountability are almost impossible in these vast areas of ocean.
The good news is that we do not need metals from the deep sea. Studies show that we can meet demand by improving efficiency on land, including recovering metals from waste streams. Battery technology is also advancing rapidly, and many economists argue that deep-sea mining isn’t economically viable. In fact, it has no place in the circular economies we are striving to build for the 21st century.
Resistance to deep-sea mining is building around the world. Hundreds of marine scientists are speaking out, calling for a pause to this industry. Over 30 countries want to implement a moratorium or ban on deep-sea mining, dozens of tech and Electric Vehicle companies (such as BMW, Volvo, Google and Apple) support a moratorium as do almost 40 financial institutions. But time is running out to stop this reckless industry from taking foot. We must continue to build on this resistance before the International Seabed Authority meets again in 2025.
At The Ocean and Us we are committed to protecting the deep-sea and our global commons. With the Ocean Hope Project we are celebrating the High Seas and rallying more support for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. The Pacific Ocean will be ground zero for deep-sea mining. We are engaging as many communities along the Pacific rim as possible, using music, sports and art to mobilize people everywhere. But this is a global issue that requires all of us to speak up! We need businesses, organizations, associations, learning institutions, museums and cultural centers everywhere to join the movement by endorsing the declaration calling on world leaders to secure a moratorium on deep-sea mining. If you own or operate a business, an organization or a cultural center please endorse the declaration and share it with your network.
For individuals that want to get involved, we have a petition with over 344,000 signatures already. Help us reach 500,000 by the time we go to the International Seabed Authority. Sign and share it with your friends and family today.
Follow and share our journey to protect the deep-sea on social media. Get in touch if you want to learn more or get involved.
Preventing the next disaster is one of the most powerful sources of hope we can offer to those feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of crises we face today.
Thank you! Farah Obaidullah, Founder of The Ocean and Us | Founder of the Women4Oceans platform | Editor of the book: The Ocean and Us Executive Producer and co-producer of the award-winning film In Too Deep: The True Cost of Deep-Sea Mining
Please join the call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining by signing our declaration. You can say NO to deep-sea mining by signing our petition.
Adopt Casper & Friends and Help Defend the Deep!
Join us in protecting our ocean’s incredible deep-sea life from the growing threat of mining! By symbolically adopting one of our unique deep-sea creatures, you’ll be part of the movement to keep these delicate ecosystems safe.
Each adoption supports The Ocean Hope Expedition and our push for the Deep-Sea Mining Declaration, to be presented to world leaders in 2025. Together, we’ll show the world why we don’t need and don’t want deep-sea mining.
Adopt a deep-sea wonder today!
About The Author
Farah Obaidullah is a lifelong ocean lover, the founder of The Ocean and Us and editor of the book The Ocean and Us. She holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science from Imperial College in London. With 25 years professional experience, Farah has travelled the world, observing the beauty of the ocean and witnessing some of the most egregious practices happening at sea. Among her achievements, Farah has executed campaigns to end destructive fishing, worked with affected communities, lobbied for ocean protection and been deeply involved in exposing fish crimes, including slavery and labor abuse at sea. Her current campaign is the Ocean Hope Expedition: a project connecting people to the ocean, celebrating the High Seas and rallying support for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media