Cover Deep-sea mining vehicles as seen in ‘Deep Rising’
Deep-sea mining vehicles as seen in ‘Deep Rising’
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“Electric is not the future. It’s the new oil.” Here are some insights on the global trend of going electric and how it impacts our environment as seen in the documentary film ‘Deep Rising’
The Swiss Embassy in the Philippines brought Deep Rising to the Power Plant Mall Cinemas last September 25 to spread awareness of the effects of deep-sea mining on the ocean’s ecosystem. The documentary, narrated and executive produced by Jason Momoa, shows us just how fragile the deep’s ecosystem is and opens an important conversation that urgently needs to be answered.
“As the world celebrates our slow transition away from fossil fuels, some major oil and gas conglomerates are currently diversifying their investments in order to refurbish their offshore infrastructures. They’re gearing up to strip mine the deep ocean and secure access to the world’s largest deposits of the much-needed metals used in battery chemistry,” says Matthieu Rytz, director and producer of Deep Rising.
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Above Gerard Barron and The Metals Company as seen in Deep Rising
Gerard Barron and The Metals Company as seen in Deep Rising
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The film starts with a hopeful tone—setting the audience to look forward to an electric future. We then get introduced to Gerard Barron, chairman and CEO of The Metals Company, who specialises in creating batteries for electric vehicles using polymetallic nodules found at the bottom of the ocean. These polymetallic nodules contain four essential elements needed to make batteries: cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese. Typically found in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone between 4,000 to 6,000 metres below the surface, these nodules are often clustered in fields and are a part of the unique ecosystem of the deep blue. Mass collection using heavy machinery will be fatal.
“Are there unknown species there? Of course. Are we going to kill some of them if they’re sitting on our nodules? Yes, we will,” said Barron in the movie.
The documentary shows the audience what it’s like to be in this environment—peaceful, ethereal, and unsettling. Alien-like lifeforms roam the space, and the darkness is only broken by bioluminescence. These sections of the film are like small breaks from the heavy topics tackled while educating us on what we barely know about the ocean.
Above A movie still of an International Seabed Authority meeting
A movie still of an International Seabed Authority meeting
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As the movie progresses, we’re introduced to the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Described in the film as a “secretive United Nation instrument which oversees nearly half our planet’s surface on the ocean floor,” they are painted as the villains for allowing corporations to extract metals from the seafloor. I believe this is where Deep Rising took some creative liberties. The ISA was formed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and is there to keep mining companies in check. While it’s scary to give one organisation the power to alter oceans on a planetary scale, to say they are the ‘bad guys’ is a stretch.
“The reason why these mineral resources are at risk is because of bad governance,” says Dr Sandor Muslow, marine geologist and former member of the ISA.
Read also: Remembering Beatriz Zobel de Ayala: Philanthropist, cultural advocate and mother
Above Mining quarry with special equipment, open pit excavation. (Photo: Curioso Photography/Unsplash)
Mining quarry with special equipment, open pit excavation. (Photo: Curioso Photography/Unsplash)
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Towards the end of the film, we’re shown flashes of lithium, nickel, graphite, and copper mines from all over the world. A terrifying display of what our world has become but perhaps what’s even scarier is what the world will look like after years of deep-sea mining. This bait-and-switch seen in Deep Rising is perfect. Over the years, we’ve been conditioned to believe that electric is the way to go green. However, as the documentary pointed out, humanity is finding solutions in the wrong places. The idea is to stop destroying trees and mountains in favour of mining the deep ocean—which is already bad by itself. What ends up happening is the destruction of both the land and the sea. Humans haven’t found a way to live sustainably; only a new way to fuel our war machine against nature.
Above A movie still of the diverse ecosystem in the deep ocean
A movie still of the diverse ecosystem in the deep ocean
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Upon finishing, the audience is left to reflect on what comes next. Deep-sea mining is on the horizon and, if mishandled, could spell the death of our oceans. The common heritage of humankind—a place inhabited by millions of species that we have yet to understand is being threatened, and we are urged to answer the call. However, the call could be difficult to pick up.
“If you’re thinking of what you can do to help, it comes down to three questions that I got from a marine biologist. She says: ‘One, what are you good at? Two, what brings you joy? and three, what needs doing?’ If you can answer those three, then you’ll know what to pursue to live in a better world,” shares Anna Oposa, marine conservationist and co-founder of Save Philippine Seas.
Also see: The state of water sanitation in the Philippines—and what’s being done about it
Above A movie still of a deep-sea jellyfish
A movie still of a deep-sea jellyfish
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Sustainability has been a buzzword recently and every big corporation wants in on it to capitalise on the growing trend. Rytz shows us that electric—while a noble cause to get behind—is not the right solution with the way it’s being implemented. What use is an electric vehicle if the way they’re built or charged damages an entire ecosystem? What good are paper straws and bicycles if big-time decision-makers wish to mine the Earth to its bones? From coal to oil and now batteries, humans have innovated immensely ever since the Industrial Revolution. In doing so, we’ve damaged the environment beyond repair, and we plan to go even further.
“We cannot deny that we use metals. But we have plenty of materials going to waste in scrapyards. Instead of going for another extraction, we need to find another way to recycle and remodel things that already exist,” says Dr Amy Ponce, faculty researcher at Davao Oriental State University.
Above A movie still of collecting polymetallic nodules on the seabed
A movie still of collecting polymetallic nodules on the seabed
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Looking ahead, deep-sea mining has not happened yet. Currently, only exploratory operations have taken place—testing equipment against the harsh conditions of the deep ocean. While we are certainly ready to conduct mining operations, the ISA has yet to give the green light.
“Exploitation hasn’t started. We’re still in the exploration stage to know where to find these materials. One company asked the ISA for an exploitation permit but the ISA hasn’t provided it yet because the mining code isn’t finished,” shares Dr Mario Aurelio, a member of the ISA.
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Credits
Images: Matthieu Rytz
About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
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A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
