Deep-sea mining could destroy our nation in a number of ways. It could:

Deep-sea mining could destroy our nation in a number of ways. It could:

• Destroy deep-sea ecosystems. The deep sea is home to a wide variety of unique and fragile ecosystems, many of which are still poorly understood. Deep-sea mining could destroy these ecosystems, leading to the loss of species and the disruption of important ecological processes.
• Release harmful pollutants into the ocean. The deep sea is a major storehouse of carbon, and deep-sea mining could release this carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Mining could also release other harmful pollutants into the ocean, such as heavy metals and toxic chemicals.
• Damage marine food webs. Deep-sea mining could damage marine food webs, which could have a cascading effect on the entire ocean ecosystem. For example, the loss of deep-sea fish could lead to the loss of seabirds and other predators that depend on them for food.
• Threaten our economic security. The deep sea is a potential source of valuable minerals, but deep-sea mining could be very expensive and risky. If deep-sea mining operations fail, it could cost taxpayers billions of dollars.

In addition to these environmental and economic risks, deep-sea mining could also have a number of social and political impacts. For example, it could lead to conflict between countries over access to deep-sea resources, and it could displace communities that depend on the ocean for their livelihood.

For all of these reasons, it is important to carefully consider the risks and benefits of deep-sea mining before it is allowed to proceed. We need to make sure that we are not trading short-term economic gain for long-term environmental and social damage.