A Climate Solution Lies Deep Under the Ocean—But Accessing It Could Have Huge Environmental Costs

Trillions of black, misshapen nuggets called polymetallic nodules line the ocean floor. They formed through a complex biochemical process and are essentially a blend of nickel, cobalt, manganese, and other rare earth metals.
These nuggets are being hailed as “a battery in a rock,” and “the easiest way to solve climate change.” Yet, the process for extracting these polymetallic nodules may disrupt crucial ocean processes and ultimately “trigger a series of unintended consequences that messes with ocean stability, ultimately affecting life everywhere on earth.” This debate over mining the ocean for this resource is becoming incredibly high stake with large implications of where and how we may decarbonize the energy sector.