Norway faces backlash over plans to mine the Arctic seafloor

Norway’s plan to allow deep-sea mining in Arctic waters has raised concerns about its potential harm to marine life, including whales and other species that rely on the seafloor ecosystem.

In short:

• Norway has designated over 100,000 square miles of Arctic waters for deep-sea mining, which could begin by 2025.
• Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, warn that noise and habitat destruction from mining operations could severely impact marine ecosystems.
• Deep-sea species, many of which are slow-growing and vulnerable, may face irreversible damage from such activities.

Key quote:

“You can’t break up the seafloor without risking everything, including species not even yet discovered or described, through connections that we are only beginning to understand.”

— David Santillo, marine and freshwater biologist at Greenpeace Research Laboratories

Why this matters:

Deep-sea mining poses a significant threat to fragile Arctic ecosystems. Disruptions from noise, light and habitat destruction could lead to irreversible harm, jeopardizing marine biodiversity and food chains critical to ocean health.