Deep-Sea Mining in the Pacific: Riches at What Cost?
Nov 11, 2026 12:15 PM
Jenik Radon, Columbia University Professor
Deep-Sea Mining in the Pacific: Riches at What Cost?

As demand for critical minerals grows, corporations and governments are increasingly looking to the deep Pacific Ocean as a potential source. But how much do we really know about the deep sea, and what environmental damage could large-scale mining cause? Professor Radon, Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, will explore the geopolitical and corporate pressures driving deep-sea mining, including who benefits, who bears the environmental and human costs, and how Pacific communities may be affected. He will also discuss the precautionary principle and its importance in guiding decisions that will shape the future of our oceans.