The ocean floor, a vast and unexplored territory, is now becoming a new economic battlefield. The possibility of extracting precious metals and rare earths from the depths of the sea has sparked a voracious appetite among some companies, and the US administration, with a recent executive order, has paved the way for this new era of exploitation.
Not long ago, the US administration signed an executive order facilitating the extraction of minerals from the seabed, both in US and international maritime waters. This has set in motion a race for the mineral riches hidden in the depths, with companies like The Metals Company leading the way, already applying for permits to begin work as soon as possible. Their operations are very likely to begin soon, probably off the coast of California.
The race for metals, however, is not without its share of controversy. Numerous countries have expressed deep concern about the unknown consequences of this activity. More than 160 nations, aware of the need to regulate this new frontier, established the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to define standards and guidelines for the exploitation of seabed resources. Unfortunately, to date, the ISA has failed to establish a robust legal framework, primarily due to a lack of scientific knowledge about deep-sea ecosystems and their complex interactions.
Ignorance of the ecological consequences is, in my opinion, the greatest concern. Detailed knowledge about the outermost layers of the moon, for example, is far more comprehensive than data on our ocean floor, especially the deepest ocean floor. The complexity of marine ecosystems, with their food chains and complex networks, makes it extremely difficult to predict the impacts of mining in these fragile areas.
This is why some are calling for a moratorium, a necessary pause for research and the development of appropriate environmental safety protocols. However, companies like The Metals Company seem determined to evade this call for caution.
Geopolitics also plays a crucial role in this controversy. Control of rare earths, essential in the manufacture of high-tech products, has long been a subject of great geopolitical dispute. China's dependence on this sector has led the Trump administration to seek alternatives, and deep-sea mining is, for some, a response to this strategy.
The possibility of accessing these resources on the seabed is perceived by the US government as a strategic path to technological and economic independence, even without knowing the exact repercussions it may have.
This eagerness for exploitation, driven by economic and strategic interests, raises deep concerns. The urgency to obtain economic benefits without a thorough understanding of the ecological consequences seems, from my perspective, immensely irresponsible. It is foreseeable that exploitation could cause irreparable damage to fragile marine ecosystems.
The available information, although scarce, leads us to foresee possible negative consequences. From the alteration of the chemical composition of seawater to the introduction of pollutants, the potential destruction of unique habitats and the disruption of food chains, the impact of deep-sea mining could be devastating. We face a situation of uncertainty and potential risk.
The race to exploit the resources of the seabed is driven by greed and the need for essential resources, but it is carried out within a framework of ignorance. To what extent are we willing to risk the health of our seas and oceans for a handful of precious metals? The question, for now, seems unanswered.
And in my opinion, we cannot afford to be so careless. If we lack the information and the ability to predict the long-term environmental impact, it is completely irresponsible to invest in the exploitation of these resources. Let us hope that the international community and the industry itself will be responsible enough to carry out a thorough assessment and ensure that seabed exploitation is carried out sustainably. The future of our oceans is at stake, and the need for a moratorium, at least temporary, on research and development of environmental safety measures becomes more urgent.
The start of drilling in international waters near California, as some predict, puts us at a crossroads. A scenario, unfortunately, that leaves behind a bitter aftertaste and deep concern for the future of our oceans.
It's a shame, but this is how sad our reality is. This is exactly how selfish and short-sighted we are.
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