The deep ocean is a vast region of remarkable creatures and unknown species. It plays a major role in global carbon sequestration, climate regulation and general ocean health, and is a treasure trove of potential new medical discoveries. Despite its importance, we have scarcely begun to discover or understand the unique life forms that inhabit this part of our planet or how deep ocean ecosystems interact more broadly with critical planetary systems. But we do know that tampering with deep ocean systems before we fully understand them can have major consequences for ocean health, fisheries, human health and climate.

Deep Sea Mining would be highly damaging to ocean ecosystems and adversely affect the ability of our ocean to regulate climate. Sediment plumes created on the ocean floor will smother marine life over large areas while highly acidic and sometimes toxic sludge vacuumed from the ocean bottom will be dumped from surface vessels, creating a second set of sediment plumes that will drift through the water column, killing and contaminating more fish and releasing stored carbon.

Mining rights in the deep ocean are now being auctioned off to a select group of mining companies by a secretive organization in Jamaica - the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The ISA has rightfully been widely criticized for its cozy relationship with select mining companies and its closed-door operations.

Mining companies, along with the ISA, are greenwashing the proposed mining operations as a “green solution.” They falsely claim we need deep sea mining to obtain minerals for new electric car batteries. We don’t. Alternatives exist, and many more are under development. New technologies for car batteries have already been developed that don’t use deep sea metals. Minerals such as lithium can be extracted directly from ocean water without damaging the environment. Recycling can provide required metals at a lower cost, and recycling of electric vehicle batteries is already a rapidly growing industry.

Forward-thinking automobile manufacturers have joined the call for a moratorium, including BMW, Volkswagen, Renault, Volvo and Rivian, as well as electric battery manufacturer Sanyo.

1. Urge your government or institution to join many others in signing on to Deep Sea Conservation Coalition’s global call for a moratorium. Not sure who to contact? Find your rep at defendthedeep.org. Your representatives will be joining a growing coalition of governments, major corporations, financial institutions, powerful civic institutions and thought leaders.

2. Sign the petition by Sustainable Ocean Alliance, The Oxygen Project and Deep Sea Conservation Coalition.

3. Buy from companies that support a moratorium and boycott those who don’t.

4. Invest in alternative technologies to reduce demand for metals mined from the sea.