Portions of the ocean outside territorial waters, including the deep seabed, are formally recognized by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the “common heritage of mankind.” These areas are to be managed for the benefit of everyone, and not owned by any nation.

From today’s perspective, it would be more appropriate to call the deep seabed “the common heritage of all life.” This is where life began.

The earliest microorganisms evolved at hydrothermal vents in the ocean depths, feeding on metals and on hydrogen and sulphur gases, where the seafloor was spreading owing to motion of tectonic plates.

The deep seabed, four to six kilometres below the ocean surface, is full of unique life forms: giant tube worms, mussels, crabs, shrimp, and bizarre fish. All are capable of withstanding pressures 500 times those at sea level. Microorganisms, still eating rocks and gases, provide the basis for these complex food webs. Some are closely related to the Last Universal Common Ancestor, dating back four billion years.

These biodiversity hotspots are under threat —guess why–Trump’s lunge for critical metals could come at a huge environmental cost by churning up the seabed.

In April 2025, Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14285, “Unleashing America’s Offshore........

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