Why we need to say no to ocean mining
By Jena Griffiths | March 14, 2021
I’m really concerned about the possibility and consequences of allowing deep sea mining of cobalt rich nodules on the ocean floor that are home to numerous species, many that we haven’t even discovered yet. Scroll down towards end of this interactive guide by the Guardian news. We don’t know enough about this sensitive habitat and the consequences of destroying it.
Better venture capitalists fund explorations into space to mine astroids for the minerals than than reek havoc with our fragile and little understood ecosystems on the ocean floor. Or better still, invest in the development of viable salt battery technology. Salt is plentiful, and sustainable, it doesn’t require the destruction of fragile ecosystems, unlike cobalt and lithium.
More on this topic by David Attenborough. More by Chris Packham on why the seabed should be off-limits to mining companies.
Get involved – take action here
Go on a wonderful virtual tour of the ocean depths Visit this interactive guide to the depths thanks to the Guardian newspaper, to find out a bit of what is living in the oceans at various depths.
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Topics: ecology and nature, Environment | 2 Comments »
August 3rd, 2022 at 5:09 pm
I love this new way to participate by rewarding or putting pressure on the leading electric car manufacturers who have agreed to keep the ocean off limits.
https://www.racetothetop.app/
August 19th, 2022 at 12:24 pm
A good news update – cobalt will soon no longer be needed in battery production! Read about the miraculous new breakthrough in lithium sulphur batteries that could help ensure that humanity not destroy the ocean depths before they have even been discovered.
https://ear-thschool.com/batteries-vs-environment-positive-sparks-at-last/
As Dr Sylvia Earle puts it:
“We need to protect the ocean as if our lives depend on it – because they do!”