The Daily

Promise and Peril at the Bottom of the Sea

Sep 16, 2022
Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, explores the complex world of deep-sea mining and its implications for the environment and electric vehicle production. He discusses the vital need for metals from ocean floors, which pose a danger to unique marine ecosystems. The conversation dives into the ethical dilemmas faced by developing nations and the role of international regulatory bodies in the controversial practices of seabed mining. Ultimately, it reveals a tension between innovation and ecological integrity in the quest for a sustainable future.
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ANECDOTE

Mining Surge

  • Eric Lipton investigated a surge in mining applications during the Trump administration.
  • This surge was linked to the rising demand for metals crucial for electric vehicle batteries.
INSIGHT

Ocean Floor Metals

  • The Pacific Ocean floor holds vast metal reserves, crucial for electric vehicle batteries.
  • These metals exist as potato-sized rocks called nodules, rich in manganese, nickel, and cobalt.
ANECDOTE

Nodule Formation

  • Nodules form over millions of years around objects like shark teeth.
  • Metals in the water attach to these objects, gradually forming the nodules.
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