Some countries and companies are vying for access to the deep ocean, where troves of in-demand minerals like copper, cobalt and nickel can be found far below the surface. International rules for mining these minerals are expected in July after years of negotiations. But a recent U.S. executive order aimed at accelerating the nascent industry has made its uncertain future even murkier.

Some have asked whether deep-sea mining should be allowed at all. Experts still know very little about the deep ocean and how extracting minerals could affect it, yet available research suggests it could come with grave risks. WRI experts unpacked what we know — and critically, what we don’t — about the proposed practice and its impacts.

Minerals aren’t the only marine resource at stake; from record coral bleaching to rapidly rising temperatures, the ocean’s declining health threatens people and species around the globe. That’s why it’s crucial that leaders seize a series of high-profile conservation opportunities in 2025, starting with this week’s Our Ocean Conference.

We’ve long known that the world’s biggest climate polluters are off track to rein in emissions and hold warming to globally agreed levels. But what would the “right” level of ambition from countries like China, the U.S. and India actually look like? We broke down the numbers.

Pope Frances shined a light on the powerful role that faith can play in environmental movements — a role that’s deeply evident in places like Latin America. There, faith groups are bolstering grassroots environmental defenders and protecting them from harm.

While countries can already mine in their national waters, or “exclusive economic zones,” the most attractive mineral deposits for deep-sea mining are largely found in international waters regulated by the International Seabed Authority.