In a momentous decision, Norway's parliament, the Storting has given its nod to a government initiative allowing Arctic seabed mineral exploration.&nbsp;

This sets the course for mining exploration into parts of its seabed, including a sprawling 280,000-square-kilometre expanse, predominantly located in the icy depths of the Arctic. Despite opposition, the plan received 80 affirmative votes and only 20 dissenting voices.

<h2>Norway takes a step towards becoming a significant mineral producer</h2>

With this, Norway, a leader in oil and gas production in Western Europe, ventures into the uncharted realms of ocean floor mining — which can potentially transform it into a formidable mineral producer, reports AFP.

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The decision follows a comprehensive report unveiled by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, which in 2023, identified resources nestled beneath the ocean's surface—riches encompassing minerals such as copper, zinc, and cobalt.

Championed by a Labour-led coalition minority government, in a bid to lead the green transition, this ambitious proposal advocates the exploration of the Arctic seabed.&nbsp;

In an impassioned plea, policymakers underscored the importance of these minerals in developing fuel cells, solar panels, electric cars, and mobile technology.&nbsp;

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<h2>Dissenting voices</h2>

Yet, this stride into the deep sea has provoked disquiet among environmentalists and scientists who warn that the venture threatens marine ecosystems. They caution that disruptive noise may also affect the ocean's carbon absorption capacity and that the tranquillity of marine life will be severely affected.

Countries like France and the UK have sounded the clarion call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. In response to the concerns, the Norwegian plan asserts that each step will be taken keeping in mind "environmental considerations." However, organisations like Norway's Institute of Marine Research and the Norwegian Polar Institute have pointed out that there exists a lack of essential knowledge to assess the environmental impact of deep sea mining.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a momentous decision, Norway's parliament, the Storting has given its nod to a government initiative allowing Arctic seabed mineral exploration. This sets the course for mining exploration into parts of its seabed, including a sprawling 280,000-square-kilometre expanse, predominantly located in the icy depths of the Arctic.

In a momentous decision, Norway's parliament, the Storting has given its nod to a government initiative allowing Arctic seabed mineral exploration. This sets the course for mining exploration into parts of its seabed, including a sprawling 280,000-square-kilometre expanse, predominantly located in the icy depths of the Arctic. Despite opposition, the plan received 80 affirmative votes and only 20 dissenting voices. Norway takes a step towards becoming a significant mineral producer With this, Norway, a leader in oil and gas production in Western Europe, ventures into the uncharted realms of ocean floor mining — which can potentially transform it into a formidable mineral producer, reports AFP. Also read | 'Clearly unacceptable': India condemns Israel-Hamas war's rising civilian death toll, calls for de-escalation The decision follows a comprehensive report unveiled by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate, which in 2023, identified resources nestled beneath the ocean's surface—riches encompassing minerals such as copper, zinc, and cobalt. Championed by a Labour-led coalition minority government, in a bid to lead the green transition, this ambitious proposal advocates the exploration of the Arctic seabed. In an impassioned plea, policymakers underscored the importance of these minerals in developing fuel cells, solar panels, electric cars, and mobile technology. Also read | Melania Trump's mother Amalija Knavs passes away after long illness Dissenting voices Yet, this stride into the deep sea has provoked disquiet among environmentalists and scientists who warn that the venture threatens marine ecosystems. They caution that disruptive noise may also affect the ocean's carbon absorption capacity and that the tranquillity of marine life will be severely affected. Countries like France and the UK have sounded the clarion call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. In response to the concerns, the Norwegian plan asserts that each step will be taken keeping in mind "environmental considerations." However, organisations like Norway's Institute of Marine Research and the Norwegian Polar Institute have pointed out that there exists a lack of essential knowledge to assess the environmental impact of deep sea mining. (With inputs from agencies)

Norway’s Parliament approves deep-sea mineral exploration, ignites environmental debate

Best known as the hunky, sea-dwelling superhero 'Aquaman',&nbsp;actor Jason Momoa brought a stark and sober warning about the perils of deep-sea mining to the Sundance film festival on Friday. The Hawaiian-born A-lister narrates 'Deep Rising', a new documentary about the frenzied efforts by resource-hungry corporations to scrape valuable metals from vast swathes of the Pacific floor.

Supporters of deep-sea mining claim that pellets of nickel and cobalt -- used in electric car batteries -- can be conveniently scooped off the seabed, helping reduce our fossil fuel reliance.

But conservation groups and scientists fear this could devastate poorly understood marine systems that play a crucial role in regulating the climate, and some nations have called for bans.

"There are moments where I cried and got emotional" narrating the film, Momoa told AFP, before its world premiere at the festival in Utah.

"It's very important, to use your power for good. It's all the things I'm passionate about," added the actor, who took marine biology courses as a student, and is a UN Environment Program advocate for the oceans.

The documentary follows key players in the fledgling industry including The Metals Company, a Canadian group pushing to mine the Clarion Clipperton Zone -- a vast expanse of the seafloor near Hawaii.

The film goes behind the scenes as its chief executive Gerard Barron courts wealthy investors with promises that little harm will be done to "the most barren, desolate part of the planet," in contrast to the devastation that ongoing mining is causing rainforests.

But 'Deep Rising' director Matthieu Rytz told AFP that "we know so little" about the real risk to the deep ocean.

"Extraction on the seafloor, it's just a rush, because we don't have enough science to really understand what's happening there," he said.

- 'The new oil' -

Still, The Metals Company has said it expects to be mining 10 million tons of material from the ocean floor every year, starting in 2025.

And it is just one of about 20 research institutes or corporations that hold ocean exploration contracts, awaiting the go-ahead to begin commercial-scale mining.

Rytz's film argues that the energy crisis has no "silver bullet," and that the brewing race to harvest critical metals is not a solution but "the new oil," and could trigger future resource wars.

It shows meetings of the International Seabed Authority, described by Rytz as an "obscure room in Kingston, Jamaica" where delegates decide "the future of 65 per cent of the planet's surface."

"This is beyond national jurisdiction. It's the high seas," said Rytz."It belongs to all of us or none of us."

Rytz speaks in the film with scientists who argue that alternative clean, more abundant energy sources such as hydrogen should be explored for car engines, or that transport options such as high-speed rail should be expanded.

"We don't need these metals in the first place," he said. "The places we're going to be mining, it's total damage. There's no half damage. It's like clear-cutting a rainforest."

Best known as the hunky, sea-dwelling superhero 'Aquaman', actor Jason Momoa brought a stark and sober warning about the perils of deep-sea mining to the Sundance film festival on Friday.

Best known as the hunky, sea-dwelling superhero 'Aquaman', actor Jason Momoa brought a stark and sober warning about the perils of deep-sea mining to the Sundance film festival on Friday. The Hawaiian-born A-lister narrates 'Deep Rising', a new documentary about the frenzied efforts by resource-hungry corporations to scrape valuable metals from vast swathes of the Pacific floor. Supporters of deep-sea mining claim that pellets of nickel and cobalt -- used in electric car batteries -- can be conveniently scooped off the seabed, helping reduce our fossil fuel reliance. But conservation groups and scientists fear this could devastate poorly understood marine systems that play a crucial role in regulating the climate, and some nations have called for bans. "There are moments where I cried and got emotional" narrating the film, Momoa told AFP, before its world premiere at the festival in Utah. "It's very important, to use your power for good. It's all the things I'm passionate about," added the actor, who took marine biology courses as a student, and is a UN Environment Program advocate for the oceans. The documentary follows key players in the fledgling industry including The Metals Company, a Canadian group pushing to mine the Clarion Clipperton Zone -- a vast expanse of the seafloor near Hawaii. The film goes behind the scenes as its chief executive Gerard Barron courts wealthy investors with promises that little harm will be done to "the most barren, desolate part of the planet," in contrast to the devastation that ongoing mining is causing rainforests. But 'Deep Rising' director Matthieu Rytz told AFP that "we know so little" about the real risk to the deep ocean. "Extraction on the seafloor, it's just a rush, because we don't have enough science to really understand what's happening there," he said. - 'The new oil' - Still, The Metals Company has said it expects to be mining 10 million tons of material from the ocean floor every year, starting in 2025. And it is just one of about 20 research institutes or corporations that hold ocean exploration contracts, awaiting the go-ahead to begin commercial-scale mining. Rytz's film argues that the energy crisis has no "silver bullet," and that the brewing race to harvest critical metals is not a solution but "the new oil," and could trigger future resource wars. It shows meetings of the International Seabed Authority, described by Rytz as an "obscure room in Kingston, Jamaica" where delegates decide "the future of 65 per cent of the planet's surface." "This is beyond national jurisdiction. It's the high seas," said Rytz."It belongs to all of us or none of us." Rytz speaks in the film with scientists who argue that alternative clean, more abundant energy sources such as hydrogen should be explored for car engines, or that transport options such as high-speed rail should be expanded. "We don't need these metals in the first place," he said. "The places we're going to be mining, it's total damage. There's no half damage. It's like clear-cutting a rainforest."

'Aquaman' star Jason Momoa warns Sundance of deep-sea mining peril

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Norway’s Parliament approves deep-sea mineral exploration, ignites environmental debate

'Aquaman' star Jason Momoa warns Sundance of deep-sea mining peril