Deep sea mining is the practice of extracting metals and minerals from the ocean’s seabed. This industry is still relatively new, but companies are preparing for full-scale production. However, deep sea mining is highly destructive and poses significant risks to the environment and marine life. The deep ocean plays a crucial role in combating climate change, and risking its delicate ecosystem could have irreversible impacts. Many countries, businesses, and scientists oppose deep sea mining, calling for a ban or moratorium to protect the oceans and combat climate change. It is important to prevent the destructive deep sea mining industry from starting to preserve the oceans and mitigate climate catastrophes.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep sea mining | Non-existent to full-scale production | Increased mining operations | Profit-seeking companies |
| Environmental impacts | Highly damaging to unknown | Greater understanding and mitigation | Concern for marine life |
| Importance of oceans | Threatened to further stress | Increased protection and conservation | Climate change and livelihoods |
| Lack of safety | Unproven safety to safe mining practices | Improved technology and practices | Pressure to avoid harm |
| Noise disruption | Minimal disruption to major disruption | Mitigation measures and regulations | Impact on marine mammals |
| Proposed ban on mining | No ban to proposed ban | Global moratorium on mining | Concern for marine life |
| Global Ocean Treaty | No stress to increased stress | Greater stress on ocean conservation | Mining adds to stress |
| Motivation for mining | Profit-seeking to alternative solutions | Improved recycling and efficiency | Demand for metals |
| Locations of mining | Limited exploration to widespread mining | Mining in various ocean regions | Exploration opportunities |
| Involvement of companies | Limited involvement to global involvement | Increased partnerships and influence | Profit-seeking companies |
| Impacted communities | Limited impact to severe impact | Devastation of coastal communities | Dependence on Pacific Ocean |
| Opposition to mining | Limited opposition to widespread opposition | Global movement against mining | Concern for environment |
| Need to stop mining | Need for prevention to prevention | Prevention of environmental damage | Protection of oceans |