Towards the abyss: how the rush to deep-sea mining threatens people and planet

The deep sea remains a pristine ecosystem, largely untouched by human activity. It is enormous in size, covering 65% of the seafloor and making up more than 95% of the Earth’s biosphere. Its biodiversity is comparable to that of tropical rainforests.
The relevance of its ecosystem services cannot be understated: the deep sea is crucial for global climate regulation and forms an important part of oceanic food webs.
Yet, this major pillar of life is threatened by the introduction of deep-sea mining, which could be allowed to start as early as July 2023. This new practice of mineral extraction - which could become the largest mining operation in history - threatens to significantly disturb the delicate environment of the deep sea, with devastating consequences for life on Earth.
In this film, leading experts on the law of the ocean and deep sea ecosystems, indigenous spokespeople, the CEO of Norway’s biggest asset manager, and policymakers explain why we shouldn't rush to mine the seabed.
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