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? Film supported by @blancpain

Further content:

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

Find The Economist’s most recent climate-change coverage here: https://econ.st/2Ij7kXi

How oceans are increasingly bearing the brunt of global warming: https://econ.st/34NOCyI

Natural disasters are quickening an already steep global loss of species: https://econ.st/2GTaBMJ

Read 1843’s article about exploring the ocean floor: https://econ.st/3lImrIc

An oil spill off Mauritius threatens protected ecosystems: https://econ.st/33n187o

Air pollution is returning to pre-covid levels: https://econ.st/3hn0prP

Why the world’s energy system must be completely transformed: https://econ.st/2ZpdAT6

Wildfires will be more common in a warming world: https://econ.st/2FkSqyH

The Greenland ice sheet has melted past the point of no return: https://econ.st/33hlLSA