A bipartisan approach for energy/climate change policy–deep-sea mining

It’s hard to imagine an element of energy and climate change policy that could earn bipartisan support, bridging the gap between Trump-era approaches and the Green New Deal.

But with the United States lacking a reliable supply of the critical minerals needed for everything from personal electronic devices to batteries for electric vehicles, securing our mineral supply chain is going to be a key component of finding clean energy solutions. And one way to do that is through deep sea mining.

Saleem Ali, the Blue and Gold Distinguished Professor of Energy and the Environment at the University of Delaware and director of the Minerals, Materials and Society program, can speak to the steps the Biden administration has already taken to review U.S. sourcing of battery and semiconductor infrastructure, as well as his Executive Order identifying supply chain risks for high-capacity batteries, including electric vehicle batteries.

“A diversified strategy of metal sourcing will be needed to meet our Paris Agreement targets,” says Ali. “An integrated policy for mineral resource governance on land and the oceans is thus urgently needed.”

Ali can also discuss the importance of having the U.S. ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and re-engage with the international community on environmental governance issues.