While the impacts of deep-sea mining are not yet fully understood, it’s clear that the risks far outweigh the benefits. Seabed mining disrupts oceanic nutrient cycling, kicks up sediment that harms sea creatures, and targets the very mineral clusters that help provide oxygen in the deep sea. It’s an incredibly dangerous process that risks irreversible damage to our marine ecosystems and our most valuable carbon sink—but that hasn't stopped the Trump administration from trying to unilaterally kickstart the industry.