The ocean makes half your oxygen - should we really mine it? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 1, 2025 · 11 MIN

The ocean makes half your oxygen - should we really mine it?

from Because Why?! The Science and Society Pod. · host Brianne West

About half of the oxygen that you are breathing right now is made in the ocean. And last year, scientists found that some of it is made three kilometres down in total darkness by microbes that live on the seabed.We had no idea about any of this before then, and now, next month, the United Nations International Seabed Authority is deciding whether they will let industrial rigs strip minerals out of the seabed. But is that a good idea when it turns out we know so little about it?Surely there are smarter options, right? And what do we even need those minerals for anyway? Well, that’s what we’ll be discussing in this episode.In this episode let's talk about: What Dark Oxygen is and why we should be worriedWhat is found in the deep seaWhat deep sea mining actually is and why we do itThe dangers of deep sea miningWhy there is a need for the metals gained from deep sea miningWhy everyone is panicking about itWho wants to deep sea mine and who doesn'tTrump’s executive order that is allowing fast-tracking of deep sea mining applicationsOther countries’ responses to deep sea miningWhat you can do about itFind our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallgreen/You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwestLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/

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The ocean makes half your oxygen - should we really mine it?

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This episode was published on July 1, 2025.

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About half of the oxygen that you are breathing right now is made in the ocean. And last year, scientists found that some of it is made three kilometres down in total darkness by microbes that live on the seabed.We had no idea about any of this...

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