Elizabeth Claire Alberts
@elizabethalberts.bsky.social
Senior staff writer at Mongabay. Talk to me about anything related to the ocean. [email protected].
TMC once pitched deep-sea mining as a fix for green tech like EVs. Now it's all about U.S. national security. This pivot helped TMC align with U.S. political goals—and brought its mining ambitions closer to reality. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
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A sales-pitch pivot brings deep-sea mining closer to reality
Early on, Canada-based The Metals Company cast the rocks it seeks to mine from the deep seafloor as a crucial resource for electric vehicle batteries and other green technologies, positioning them as ...
news.mongabay.com
August 1, 2025 at 1:06 PM
TMC once pitched deep-sea mining as a fix for green tech like EVs. Now it's all about U.S. national security. This pivot helped TMC align with U.S. political goals—and brought its mining ambitions closer to reality. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/custom-story...
news.mongabay.com/custom-story...
Reposted by Elizabeth Claire Alberts
The Canadian firm The Metals Company pursue of securing a license to mine in international waters under U.S. jurisdiction appears to be progressing.
Yet, many question how smoothly TMC’s plans might unfold.
#ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social reports for #Mongabay. bit.ly/3ISsefh
Yet, many question how smoothly TMC’s plans might unfold.
#ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social reports for #Mongabay. bit.ly/3ISsefh
Challenges Persist in TMC’s Bid To Mine the Deep Sea, Even After Boost From Trump
After years of delay, the deep-sea mining plans of Canadian firm The Metals Company (TMC) now appear to be progressing as it pursues a controversial new path to securing a license to mine in...
pulitzercenter.org
July 29, 2025 at 10:41 PM
The Canadian firm The Metals Company pursue of securing a license to mine in international waters under U.S. jurisdiction appears to be progressing.
Yet, many question how smoothly TMC’s plans might unfold.
#ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social reports for #Mongabay. bit.ly/3ISsefh
Yet, many question how smoothly TMC’s plans might unfold.
#ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social reports for #Mongabay. bit.ly/3ISsefh
TMC’s deep-sea mining push is moving ahead, but critics warn of legal fights, ecological damage, and global backlash. Its ties to controversial past ventures like Nautilus & DSMF raise even more red flags. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social #DeepSeaMining news.mongabay.com/custom-story...
Challenges persist in TMC’s bid to mine the deep sea, even after boost from Trump
After years of delay, the deep-sea mining plans of Canadian firm The Metals Company (TMC) now appear to be progressing as it pursues a controversial new path to securing a license to mine in internati...
news.mongabay.com
July 24, 2025 at 8:36 AM
TMC’s deep-sea mining push is moving ahead, but critics warn of legal fights, ecological damage, and global backlash. Its ties to controversial past ventures like Nautilus & DSMF raise even more red flags. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social #DeepSeaMining news.mongabay.com/custom-story...
Reposted by Elizabeth Claire Alberts
The U.S. recently announced rule changes that would accelerate deep-sea mining.
Experts warn that the rapid push to open the outer continental shelf to mining is potentially harmful to deep-sea ecosystems.
Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.com. bit.ly/44TVMl8
Experts warn that the rapid push to open the outer continental shelf to mining is potentially harmful to deep-sea ecosystems.
Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.com. bit.ly/44TVMl8
U.S. Federal Agency Clears Ways for Deep-Sea Mining — and Companies Are Lining Up
The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) recently announced rule changes that would accelerate deep-sea mining in U.S. waters. The move includes shortened environmental review timelines and....
bit.ly
July 10, 2025 at 11:42 PM
The U.S. recently announced rule changes that would accelerate deep-sea mining.
Experts warn that the rapid push to open the outer continental shelf to mining is potentially harmful to deep-sea ecosystems.
Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.com. bit.ly/44TVMl8
Experts warn that the rapid push to open the outer continental shelf to mining is potentially harmful to deep-sea ecosystems.
Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.com. bit.ly/44TVMl8
BOEM has rolled out policy changes to fast-track deep-sea mining in U.S. waters — and companies like Impossible Metals, Wetstone, Odyssey Marine Exploration and Transocean are now actively engaging with the agency.
@mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2025/07/u-s-...
@mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2025/07/u-s-...
U.S. federal agency clears ways for deep-sea mining — and companies are lining up
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. On June 25, the United States Department of the Interior (DOI), a department with...
news.mongabay.com
July 8, 2025 at 8:46 AM
BOEM has rolled out policy changes to fast-track deep-sea mining in U.S. waters — and companies like Impossible Metals, Wetstone, Odyssey Marine Exploration and Transocean are now actively engaging with the agency.
@mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2025/07/u-s-...
@mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2025/07/u-s-...
Reposted by Elizabeth Claire Alberts
Papua New Guinea’s prime minister is against deep-sea mining, but a provincial governor backs it. Locals near the Solwara 1 site worry about their fisheries and haven’t gotten answers. Read more in a collaboration at @mongabay.com with @elizabethalberts.bsky.social :
PNG PM Marape rejects deep-sea mining even as provincial authorities try to revive project
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. NICE, France — James Marape, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, voiced his…
buff.ly
June 16, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Papua New Guinea’s prime minister is against deep-sea mining, but a provincial governor backs it. Locals near the Solwara 1 site worry about their fisheries and haven’t gotten answers. Read more in a collaboration at @mongabay.com with @elizabethalberts.bsky.social :
"We don’t want any deep-sea mining in Papua New Guinea,” PM James Marape told me at UNOC. But in the province of New Ireland, a seabed mining project appears to be going forward. Read my collab with @john-cannon.bsky.social on @mongabay.com news.mongabay.com/2025/06/png-...
PNG PM Marape rejects deep-sea mining even as provincial authorities try to revive project
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. NICE, France — James Marape, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, voiced his g...
news.mongabay.com
June 16, 2025 at 8:03 PM
"We don’t want any deep-sea mining in Papua New Guinea,” PM James Marape told me at UNOC. But in the province of New Ireland, a seabed mining project appears to be going forward. Read my collab with @john-cannon.bsky.social on @mongabay.com news.mongabay.com/2025/06/png-...
Reposted by Elizabeth Claire Alberts
Norway’s plans to mine seabed minerals in the Arctic remain in limbo after a licensing round was delayed.
Experts warn that environmental impacts must be addressed before deep-sea mining can proceed.
Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.bsky.social. bit.ly/42LAbt3
Experts warn that environmental impacts must be addressed before deep-sea mining can proceed.
Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.bsky.social. bit.ly/42LAbt3
With Deep-Sea Mining Plans in Limbo, Norwegian Companies Fold or Dig In
Norway’s plans to mine seabed minerals in Arctic waters remain in limbo after the first licensing round was delayed in December 2024. However, the government maintains that progress will resume soon.....
pulitzercenter.org
April 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Norway’s plans to mine seabed minerals in the Arctic remain in limbo after a licensing round was delayed.
Experts warn that environmental impacts must be addressed before deep-sea mining can proceed.
Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.bsky.social. bit.ly/42LAbt3
Experts warn that environmental impacts must be addressed before deep-sea mining can proceed.
Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.bsky.social. bit.ly/42LAbt3
Norwegian deep-sea mining company Loke has gone bankrupt. Other companies are feeling the pressure, but the Norwegian government insists that DSM is still moving ahead.
If it does, it won’t be smooth sailing. Environmentalists, fishers, scientists, and politicians are raising serious concerns.
If it does, it won’t be smooth sailing. Environmentalists, fishers, scientists, and politicians are raising serious concerns.
With deep-sea mining plans in limbo, Norwegian companies fold or dig in
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. BERGEN, Norway — It’s been nearly five months since the Norwegian government paus...
news.mongabay.com
April 23, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Norwegian deep-sea mining company Loke has gone bankrupt. Other companies are feeling the pressure, but the Norwegian government insists that DSM is still moving ahead.
If it does, it won’t be smooth sailing. Environmentalists, fishers, scientists, and politicians are raising serious concerns.
If it does, it won’t be smooth sailing. Environmentalists, fishers, scientists, and politicians are raising serious concerns.
Wild days ahead. Deep-sea miner TMC seeks U.S. approval, potentially bypassing global regulator
Deep-sea miner TMC seeks U.S. approval, potentially bypassing global regulator
Canadian deep-sea mining firm The Metals Company (TMC) has announced it “initiated a process” with U.S. regulators to apply for both exploration and exploitation licenses, potentially circumventing th...
news.mongabay.com
March 28, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Wild days ahead. Deep-sea miner TMC seeks U.S. approval, potentially bypassing global regulator
The Spanish government sanctioned 25 of its vessels for illegally turning off their satellite tracking devices while fishing off the coast of Argentina between 2018 and 2021. But this hasn’t stopped the vessels from fishing.
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2024/01/spai...
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2024/01/spai...
Spain sanctions fishing vessels for illegally ‘going dark’ near Argentine waters
In December, the Spanish government issued sanctions against 25 Spanish-flagged vessels that fished near the border of Argentina’s territorial waters between 2018 and 2021. The sanctions were for re...
news.mongabay.com
January 11, 2024 at 2:03 PM
The Spanish government sanctioned 25 of its vessels for illegally turning off their satellite tracking devices while fishing off the coast of Argentina between 2018 and 2021. But this hasn’t stopped the vessels from fishing.
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2024/01/spai...
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2024/01/spai...
Norway’s parliament has officially voted to allow deep-sea mining to go forward in the Norwegian Sea, despite warnings from scientists and conservationists that it could damage the marine environment.
news.mongabay.com/2024/01/real...
Latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2024/01/real...
Latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
‘Really a sad day’ as Norway votes to allow deep-sea mining in Arctic waters
Norway’s parliament has officially voted to allow deep-sea mining to go forward in the Norwegian Sea, despite warnings from scientists and conservationists that it could damage the marine environmen...
news.mongabay.com
January 9, 2024 at 8:18 PM
Norway’s parliament has officially voted to allow deep-sea mining to go forward in the Norwegian Sea, despite warnings from scientists and conservationists that it could damage the marine environment.
news.mongabay.com/2024/01/real...
Latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2024/01/real...
Latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
The U.S. government auctioned off oil and gas drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico despite concerns the move could endanger a newly described and very rare baleen whale known as the Rice’s whale.
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/12/u-s-...
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/12/u-s-...
U.S. auctions off endangered whale habitat for oil and gas drilling
On Dec. 20, the U.S. government auctioned off oil and gas drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico despite concerns the move could endanger a newly described and very rare baleen whale known as the Rice�...
news.mongabay.com
December 21, 2023 at 9:07 PM
The U.S. government auctioned off oil and gas drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico despite concerns the move could endanger a newly described and very rare baleen whale known as the Rice’s whale.
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/12/u-s-...
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/12/u-s-...
Here's what happened at COP28 for the oceans. My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/12/did-...
news.mongabay.com/2023/12/did-...
Did the tides turn for oceans at COP28? Climate summit draws mixed reviews
The ocean plays an oversized role in regulating Earth’s climate and reducing human-produced greenhouse gas emissions. The watery realms of our planet capture about 25% of global carbon dioxide emiss...
news.mongabay.com
December 14, 2023 at 7:36 PM
Here's what happened at COP28 for the oceans. My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/12/did-...
news.mongabay.com/2023/12/did-...
A report released during the COP28 climate summit in Dubai suggests that current levels of warming will very likely push five major Earth systems to reach their “tipping points." But there is hope.
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/12/eart...
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/12/eart...
Earth on ‘devastating trajectory’ to global tipping points. But there’s hope.
A new report suggests that the rapid acceleration of climate change has pushed the Earth systems humanity relies upon to the brink of collapse, placing the world on a “devastating trajectory.” How...
news.mongabay.com
December 13, 2023 at 7:53 AM
A report released during the COP28 climate summit in Dubai suggests that current levels of warming will very likely push five major Earth systems to reach their “tipping points." But there is hope.
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/12/eart...
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/12/eart...
Reposted by Elizabeth Claire Alberts
@elizabethalberts.bsky.social looks behind the scenes at why Mexico has done a 180 and flipped its position from fast-tracking deep sea mining to supporting a moratorium on exploiting the seabed for cobalt, nickel and other minerals.
Mexico, a nation that previously supported the development of deep-sea mining, has now called for a moratorium on this activity in international waters.
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/in-r...
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/in-r...
In reversal, Mexico calls for moratorium on international deep-sea mining
Mexico, a nation that previously supported the development of deep-sea mining, has now called for a moratorium on this activity in international waters. One environmental expert called Mexico’s anno...
news.mongabay.com
November 29, 2023 at 3:47 PM
@elizabethalberts.bsky.social looks behind the scenes at why Mexico has done a 180 and flipped its position from fast-tracking deep sea mining to supporting a moratorium on exploiting the seabed for cobalt, nickel and other minerals.
Mexico, a nation that previously supported the development of deep-sea mining, has now called for a moratorium on this activity in international waters.
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/in-r...
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/in-r...
In reversal, Mexico calls for moratorium on international deep-sea mining
Mexico, a nation that previously supported the development of deep-sea mining, has now called for a moratorium on this activity in international waters. One environmental expert called Mexico’s anno...
news.mongabay.com
November 28, 2023 at 9:01 PM
Mexico, a nation that previously supported the development of deep-sea mining, has now called for a moratorium on this activity in international waters.
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/in-r...
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/in-r...
A new report by International Pollutants Elimination Network and Beyond Plastics scrutinizes the chemical recycling industry that's on the rise in the U.S. and other parts of the world, including several European countries.
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/chem...
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/chem...
Chemical recycling of plastic not so fantastic, report finds
In today’s industrialized world, avoiding plastic is virtually impossible. Every trip to the grocery store likely means coming home with food and household items packaged in plastic bottles, tubs an...
news.mongabay.com
November 27, 2023 at 8:59 AM
A new report by International Pollutants Elimination Network and Beyond Plastics scrutinizes the chemical recycling industry that's on the rise in the U.S. and other parts of the world, including several European countries.
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/chem...
My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/chem...
Reposted by Elizabeth Claire Alberts
Exciting news here @mongabay.bsky.social. We've launched a new bureau in Africa, won an award for environmental communication, and also analyzed data showing a 22% deforestation decline in the Brazilian Amazon. Lots to cover on this week's newscast: open.spotify.com/episode/3nNi...
Deforestation decline in the Amazon and other positive news
Listen to this episode from Mongabay Newscast: news from nature on Spotify. Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has declined by 22% for the year ending July 31, 2023, according to data from Brazil��...
open.spotify.com
November 21, 2023 at 9:43 PM
Exciting news here @mongabay.bsky.social. We've launched a new bureau in Africa, won an award for environmental communication, and also analyzed data showing a 22% deforestation decline in the Brazilian Amazon. Lots to cover on this week's newscast: open.spotify.com/episode/3nNi...
A statement by journalists:
We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians.
Over 1,500 journalists have now signed this letter.
www.protect-journalists.com
We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians.
Over 1,500 journalists have now signed this letter.
www.protect-journalists.com
A statement by journalists:
We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in
Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians.
www.protect-journalists.com
November 22, 2023 at 9:53 AM
A statement by journalists:
We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians.
Over 1,500 journalists have now signed this letter.
www.protect-journalists.com
We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians.
Over 1,500 journalists have now signed this letter.
www.protect-journalists.com
Mangrove restoration work in Jamaica is fraught with challenges. But there’s a problem particular to the Kingston area: a deluge of plastic pollution, which can block the vital flow of water the trees need to survive, or damage their roots. @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/jama...
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/jama...
Jamaica battles relentless plastic pollution in quest to restore mangroves
KINGSTON — “All of this was mangroves,” says marine scientist Mona Webber, pointing toward a line of ghostly gray boulders separating the road from the sea. We’re standing on the side of Norma...
news.mongabay.com
November 22, 2023 at 8:59 AM
Mangrove restoration work in Jamaica is fraught with challenges. But there’s a problem particular to the Kingston area: a deluge of plastic pollution, which can block the vital flow of water the trees need to survive, or damage their roots. @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/jama...
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/jama...
Sperm whale facts:
1: They have the largest brains in the animal kingdom.
2. They can dive 2,000 m.
3. Each sperm whale clan has its own dialect.
And now, Dominica will create the world's first sperm whale reserve. Latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/domi...
1: They have the largest brains in the animal kingdom.
2. They can dive 2,000 m.
3. Each sperm whale clan has its own dialect.
And now, Dominica will create the world's first sperm whale reserve. Latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/domi...
Dominica set to open world’s first reserve centered around sperm whales
The world’s first marine reserve for sperm whales is set to open in the waters off the coast of Dominica, a tiny island nation in the eastern Caribbean Sea. The reserve’s establishment is aimed at...
news.mongabay.com
November 14, 2023 at 6:02 PM
Sperm whale facts:
1: They have the largest brains in the animal kingdom.
2. They can dive 2,000 m.
3. Each sperm whale clan has its own dialect.
And now, Dominica will create the world's first sperm whale reserve. Latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/domi...
1: They have the largest brains in the animal kingdom.
2. They can dive 2,000 m.
3. Each sperm whale clan has its own dialect.
And now, Dominica will create the world's first sperm whale reserve. Latest for @mongabay.bsky.social
news.mongabay.com/2023/11/domi...
‘Very good progress’ but nothing firm as deep-sea mining rules are hashed out at the latest meeting of the International Seabed Authority. My lates for @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2023/11/very...
November 13, 2023 at 3:30 PM
‘Very good progress’ but nothing firm as deep-sea mining rules are hashed out at the latest meeting of the International Seabed Authority. My lates for @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2023/11/very...