The Threats of Deep Sea Mining

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Mining the deep sea to solve climate change is like smoking to lower stress. There may be short-term gains, but ultimately there will be long-term grave damage. Close to 800 marine experts have signed a statement calling for a pause in mining. The European Academy's Science Advisory Council came out and said we were diving blindly into deep sea mining.

As the International Seabed Authority gathers in Jamaica to thrash out regulations for mining the deep sea, Chris Michael of the Guardian’s Seascape team gives Ian Sample the background to this highly contested decision. Ian also hears from the marine biologist Dr Diva Amon about why some scientists are sounding the alarm. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod