English Learning: Deep-Sea Mining Controversy

Dialogue

Current Situation

Deep-sea mining involves extracting mineral deposits from the seabed, typically at depths of 200 meters or more. These minerals, such as polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich crusts, and seafloor massive sulfides, contain valuable metals like nickel, copper, cobalt, and rare earth elements. There is a growing global interest in deep-sea mining due to the increasing demand for these critical minerals, driven by the expansion of green technologies (e.g., electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure) and consumer electronics, as land-based reserves become scarcer or more difficult to access.

However, the prospect of deep-sea mining is highly controversial. Environmental organizations, scientists, and a growing number of countries are calling for a moratorium or a complete ban. The primary concerns revolve around the potential for irreversible environmental damage. This includes the destruction of unique and often undiscovered deep-sea ecosystems, habitat fragmentation, noise pollution impacting marine life (like whales and dolphins), light pollution, and sediment plumes that can spread for vast distances, suffocating organisms and altering water chemistry. The slow growth rates of deep-sea species mean that recovery from such disturbances could take centuries or even millennia, if at all possible.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA), an intergovernmental body established under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is responsible for regulating mineral-related activities in the international seabed area. While the ISA has issued exploration contracts, it is currently developing a mining code to govern exploitation. The debate intensified recently as a deadline for finalizing these regulations was triggered, potentially allowing commercial mining to proceed even without a complete set of rules. This has led to a sharp division between nations eager to secure resources and those advocating for a precautionary approach to protect marine biodiversity.

Key Phrases

• sci-fi movie: A film genre dealing with imaginative and futuristic concepts, often involving science and technology. The special effects in that movie looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.
• suck up: To absorb or draw something in; can be used literally or metaphorically. The sponge quickly sucked up all the spilled water.
• digging up the seabed: To excavate or remove material from the bottom of the ocean. Archaeologists are hoping to start digging up the ancient site next spring.
• eco-nightmare: An environmental disaster or a situation with severe negative ecological consequences. The oil spill in the gulf was an absolute eco-nightmare.
• pulverize its home: To crush or destroy something completely, often implying devastating an animal’s habitat. The earthquake threatened to pulverize the city.
• sediment plumes: Clouds of suspended particles (like sand, silt, or clay) in water, often caused by disturbance. The dredging created large sediment plumes, reducing visibility in the water.
• double-edged sword: Something that has both advantages and disadvantages; a benefit that also carries a risk. Social media can be a double-edged sword, offering connection but also privacy concerns.
• calling for a complete ban/moratorium: Publicly demanding a total prohibition or a temporary suspension of an activity. Activists are calling for a complete ban on single-use plastics.
• plunge into irreversible damage: To rapidly or suddenly enter a state of harm that cannot be undone. Without immediate action, the ecosystem could plunge into irreversible damage.
• on the brink of: On the verge or at the point of something happening, often something significant or dangerous. The company is on the brink of bankruptcy.

Grammar Points

• Present Perfect for Recent News/Experience: “Have you heard about…?”
  Used to ask about or state an experience or news that happened at an unspecified time in the past, but is relevant now. It often implies a recent event or a topic of current interest. Alice: Have you heard about this deep-sea mining thing? Other example: I have never tried sushi before.
• Phrasal Verbs: “suck up,” “digging up,” “plunge into”
  Verbs combined with a preposition or adverb (or both) that create a new meaning. They are very common in spoken English. Bob: …those giant underwater vacuum cleaners trying to suck up all the ocean’s treasures? Alice: They’re talking about digging up the seabed for metals… Alice: …before we plunge into irreversible damage. Other example: I need to look up the meaning of this word.
• Modals for Possibility/Speculation: “could be,” “might lead to”
  Modal verbs like ‘could’ and ‘might’ are used to express possibility or speculation about future events or current situations. ‘Could’ often suggests a general possibility, while ‘might’ suggests a slightly weaker or more uncertain possibility. Alice: Scientists are warning it could be an eco-nightmare. Other example: It might rain later, so take an umbrella.
• Conditional Sentences (Type 1 – Real Conditional): “If we start this, what will happen?” (Implied)
  Used to talk about a real and possible situation in the future. The structure is typically “If + present simple, will + base verb.” In the dialogue, Alice uses it to discuss possible consequences. Alice: If we start this, what will happen? (implied in the discussion about consequences) Other example: If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

Practice Exercises

Answers