Environmental Activism and Climate Change - Activism, in its various forms, is crucial for maintaining habitable living conditions on the planet, as affirmed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) [2][3] - Deep ocean ecosystems, covering 71% of the Earth's surface and 90% of the ocean, play a central role in climate regulation by absorbing and storing the majority of greenhouse gases [6][7] - The deep sea is a significant carbon sink, vital in the context of the climate crisis [8] Deep Sea Mining Threat - A few mining companies are preparing to mine the ocean floor for metals like cobalt, nickel, and manganese, allegedly for energy transitions, a need refuted by independent scientists [11] - Scientists warn that deep sea mining, using massive machines, would irreversibly damage entire ecosystems, potentially wiping out unknown species and disrupting the ocean's carbon sink function [13] - The international scientific community is calling for a moratorium on deep sea mining to allow for further research and understanding of its impacts [12] Activist Campaign and Impact - A coalition of NGOs, scientists, parliamentarians, legal experts, journalists, and citizens was formed to defend the deep sea against mining [17] - A campaign successfully lobbied the French government to support a complete ban on deep sea mining, leading to a 180-degree shift in France's position [21] - France, possessing the world's second-largest maritime area of 11 million square kilometers, became a leader in protecting the deep sea in international waters [18][21] - Collaborative efforts have led 24 countries to support a moratorium, creating a global movement against deep sea mining involving governments, companies, financial institutions, and fishing industries [23]