Balancing Green Transition and Environmental Concerns: Debating Deep Sea Mining for Rare Earth Elements

Deep-sea mining for rare earth elements, crucial components in emerging green technologies such as electric vehicles and wind turbines, is poised to commence as soon as 2026, despite a call for a moratorium by 38 nations.

The extraction of these metals, however, raises significant environmental concerns due to its destructive nature. Proponents within the mining industry argue that it is an essential step towards a sustainable future, particularly since the current supply chain is largely controlled by China. On the other hand, scientists urge caution, advocating for a thorough understanding of potential ecological repercussions before any large-scale operations begin.

Navigating this delicate balance between environmental preservation and technological progress, radio hosts Regina G. Barber and Emily Kwong delve into this heated debate, discussing the role of science in the discussion.

For those interested in exploring other scientific controversies, email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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This episode was produced by Rachel Carlson and Berly McCoy, edited by Rebecca, and fact-checked by Tyler Jones. Jimmy Keeley served as the audio engineer.