Addressing the climate crisis through deep seabed mining is one step forward and three steps back
International interest in seabed mining has been stoked partly by new advances in robotics, computer mapping and underwater drilling. Mining companies globally are said to be scouring for fresh reserves, having depleted much of the world’s easy-to-access veins. But a section of experts warns that deep-sea mining would have “catastrophic impacts”.
Ian Urbina
Saving the planet while ignoring two thirds of it
Companies on land have been allowed to dump carbon into the air for free, and roughly a quarter of that carbon is absorbed by the oceans. But, the current outlook on the climate crisis barely even considers the oceans, even though it covers two thirds of the earth’s surface.
Ian Urbina
Stranded at Sea: The plight of abandoned seafarers worldwide has been worsened by COVID-19
About 0.1 million stranded seafarers on sea lack clean water, fuel, food and legal help, besides the immigration papers that will help them disembark, or the money that will get them home.
Ian Urbina
Before the Blast: The chain of events since 2013 that led to the Beirut blast
What happened in Lebanon is rooted in a deeper problem of maritime abandonment of ships, seafarers and cargo. Vessel owners and operators walk away from their responsibilities with impunity.