As global activists and policymakers gather in New York for Climate Week, Tonga finds itself at the center of a heated debate on the environmental impact of seabed mining. Tonga, alongside Nauru and Kiribati, sponsors The Metals Company, a Canadian firm aiming to extract critical minerals from the ocean floor in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a vast area of the Pacific.
Supporters argue seabed mining is essential for acquiring minerals needed in green technologies like electric vehicle batteries. However, critics, including Tonga Fishery Association President Eddie Palu, are calling for a moratorium. “We demand a pause until the environmental, economic, and social risks are fully understood,” Palu said during a panel at the Pacific Islands Forum.
Seabed mining could disrupt ecosystems, with 90% of species in the CCZ still new to science. Environmentalists argue the risks to biodiversity outweigh the potential benefits, with concerns about long-term damage to the Pacific.
Despite the controversy, The Metals Company claims its technology minimizes environmental harm, while Tonga navigates balancing economic opportunity with protecting its marine environment. Climate Week discussions will likely further highlight these critical concerns.
Source: PACNEWS
