Beneath the waves, in the darkness of the deep ocean, lies one of Earth's last pristine wilderness areas – a place we've barely begun to understand. Now, a high-stakes race is underway to mine valuable minerals from the seafloor, with profound implications for marine ecosystems and our planet's future.

Richard Charter from The Ocean Foundation takes us on an eye-opening journey into the complex world of deep sea mining. He expertly breaks down the three distinct types of extraction threatening different ocean ecosystems: hydrothermal vents with their unique energy-transforming life forms, mineral crusts that form along seamounts, and polymetallic nodules scattered across vast stretches of seafloor. These aren't just minerals – they're living habitats that took millions of years to evolve.

What's particularly alarming is the permanence of any damage we inflict. Charter reveals that test mining tracks created 26 years ago remain perfectly visible today, as if freshly made. "If it took millions of years to evolve these life forms in the sea," he warns, "then we know that for them to come back, first of all they may come back in a different form, and it may take millions of years. This is beyond human scale."

While mining companies frame their work as essential for the green energy transition, providing minerals for electric vehicle batteries and renewable infrastructure, Charter challenges this narrative. He points out that automotive technology is already evolving beyond these specific metals, and effective recycling programs could meet many of our needs without risking irreparable harm to ocean ecosystems. Meanwhile, the deep sea may harbor undiscovered solutions to humanity's greatest challenges, including potential cancer t

Planet Centric Media (non-profit)
Media for a Healthier Planet: Elevating The Interconnectedness of Life & Value of Natural Resources.

Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study
Founded by Scott & Tree Mercer to document the occurrence, diversity, & behavior of marine mammals.

Sea Storm Studios, Inc.
An audio/visual production company in the Sea Ranch, CA (US)

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Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer Sea Storm Studios, The Sea Ranch, North Sonoma Coast

Scott & Tree Mercer, Co-hosts/Producers, Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study, Mendocino and Sonoma Coasts.

Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things.

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Deep Sea Mining: Promise or Peril? Richard Charter, Sr. Fellow, Ocean Foundation

Welcome to RESILIENT EARTH RADIO where we host speakers from the United States and around the world to talk about critical issues facing our planet and the positive actions people are taking. We also let our listeners learn how they can get involved and make a difference. Hosts are Leigh Anne Lindsey, Producer @ Sea Storm Studios and Founder of Planet Centric Media, along with Scott & Tree Mercer, Founders of Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study which gathers scientific data that is distributed to other organizations like NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration). A focus of this podcast series are Nature-Based Economies that help rebalance the Earth and raise awareness about the value of whales, elephants, mangroves, seagrass, the deep seas, waterways and forests - our natural world - towards that rebalancing. This addresses the effects of our own human-caused climate change, and what we can do about it - from simple steps to grand gestures! Global experts, citizen scientists, activists, fisher folk, and educators examine and explain ciritical issues facing our planet and actions people are taking to mitigate and rebalance climate. We discuss the critical role of carbon storage, and how it is essential for all life forms on earth.  This awareness could lead to new laws, policies and procedures to help protect these valuable resources, and encourage economies around them to replace the existing exploitation of oceans, forests, and animals.

Taking positive action, and getting people involved, that's our goal.

Production companies / Planet Centric Media Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, and Sea Storm Studios, Inc. (a media production company). Planet Centric Media is Media for a Healthier Planet. Resilient Earth is a project of this 501 (c) (3) non-profit that is developing & producing media to elevate awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things. Co-produced with Mendonoma Whale & Seal Study.

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