Trump Dives Deep: Executive Order Ignites Undersea Mining Mania!

Up Up and A Mining! (Under the Sea!)

Greetings citizens of Earth! Superman here reporting live from... well not exactly live. I'm faster than a speeding bullet not faster than the internet apparently! Anyway it seems things are getting a little... *deep* down in our oceans. President Trump (remember him?) signed an executive order to kickstart deep sea mining. Apparently we're in a bit of a pickle with China over who gets to play with the shiny rocks at the bottom of the sea.

Mining Mayhem: Nickel Copper and Oh My!

Now I'm no Lex Luthor when it comes to business but even I understand the importance of these seabed minerals. Nickel copper and those pesky rare earth elements – they're apparently the building blocks of everything from electric cars to those groovy wind turbines. Trump’s idea is to beat China to the punch. As he said himself it's about "maintaining leadership in deep sea science and technology and seabed mineral resources." Sounds like a super villain plot but apparently it's real world politics. I sometimes think that people don't learn. There is a right and a wrong and that distinction must be made.

Deep Trouble? Environmental Impact Alert!

Of course any time you start digging around especially at the bottom of the ocean you're going to stir up some trouble. Scientists are worried about the environmental impacts. I mean I’m all for progress but not at the expense of our planet. I recall a quote from my Earth parents “There’s a right way and a wrong way.” Greenpeace is particularly vocal calling the whole thing a "destructive industry." Sounds like something Lex would cook up doesn't it? They reckon it'll lead to ecosystem destruction and species extinction. I mean even I can see that’s not ideal.

UN der the Sea: The International Seabed Authority Steps In

There's this organization called the International Seabed Authority (ISA). They're like the UN of the deep trying to figure out the rules before everyone starts a free for all with those polymetallic nodules. They're hoping to get regulations in place by 2025. Of course Trump's executive order throws a wrench into those plans which has folks scratching their heads about the timing. And the US hasn't ratified UNCLOS the treaty the ISA was established under! Awkward!

Unexpected Alliances: A Geopolitical Sea Change

Here's where it gets really interesting. Apparently this whole mining thing has led to some strange bedfellows. Countries that usually agree on things are now on opposite sides. Norway which was considering seabed mining themselves has now sided with China India and Poland against the U.S. It's all about the U.S. bypassing the usual processes. I am a stranger I come from another world. And yet you treat me as one of your own.

My Take: Tread Carefully Friends!

Look I'm all for progress and finding new ways to power our world but let's not go diving headfirst (pun intended!) into something without considering the consequences. We need to listen to the scientists work with international bodies and make sure we're not trading short term gains for long term environmental disasters. As my father Jor El once said "The son becomes the father and the father becomes the son.” Let’s make sure we’re being good stewards of this planet for future generations eh?