Plans to mine the seabed off the Cook Islands are sparking heated debates about environmental preservation versus potential economic benefits. The polymetallic nodules, used in modern technology from electric cars to smartphones, are at the center of this discussion. While Prime Minister Mark Brown sees deep-sea mining as a pathway to prosperity, environmental activists warn that the extraction could harm the fragile marine ecosystem.
Jean Mason, curator at the Cook Islands Library and Museum, proudly displays a nodular rock, underscoring its economic significance. With the Cook Islands grappling with climate change and its effects on tourism and fishing—its main revenue sources—Brown's government is exploring the underwater riches beneath the ocean, which covers nearly a third of the planet.
Brown argues that this venture could provide income to fund education and healthcare, drawing inspiration from Norway's sovereign wealth model. With estimates of 12 billion wet tonnes of nodules within their territorial waters, the Cook Islands has issued licenses for companies to start exploratory digging.
However, the flip side remains unsettling. Critics, backed by activists like Alanah Matamaru Smith from the Te Ipukarea Society, call for a moratorium on mining until more robust research can determine its ecological impact. They emphasize the importance of respecting the delicate balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship.
Despite government-led consultations, voices from smaller outer islands, including June Hosking, raise concerns that community members are hesitant to express dissent. This sentiment echoes the dilemma facing Cook Islanders: whether to embrace the potential windfall of mining at the cost of their natural heritage.
As the dialogue continues, the stakes remain high for the future of the Cook Islands—caught between economic aspirations and environmental responsibilities, with opposing sides vigorously advocating for their vision of progress.
