Mining companies and governments will soon be allowed to extract minerals from the deep-ocean floor. These rare metals are vital for a more environmentally sustainable future on land, but at what cost to the health of the ocean?<br /><br />Further content:<br /><br />Sign up to receive The Economist’s fortnightly newsletter to keep up to date with our latest coverage on climate change: https://econ.st/2APVAIj <br /><br />Find The Economist’s most recent climate-change coverage here: https://econ.st/2Ij7kXi <br /><br />How oceans are increasingly bearing the brunt of global warming: https://econ.st/34NOCyI <br /><br />Natural disasters are quickening an already steep global loss of species: https://econ.st/2GTaBMJ <br /><br />Read 1843’s article about exploring the ocean floor: https://econ.st/3lImrIc<br /><br />An oil spill off Mauritius threatens protected ecosystems: https://econ.st/33n187o <br /><br />Air pollution is returning to pre-covid levels: https://econ.st/3hn0prP <br /><br />Why the world’s energy system must be transformed completely: https://econ.st/2ZpdAT6 <br /><br />Wildfires will be more common in a warming world: https://econ.st/2FkSqyH <br /><br />The Greenland ice sheet has melted past the point of no return: https://econ.st/33hlLSA
