In the race for green technology, the deep ocean is the new battleground. The ocean floor holds more of the rare earth metals we need for the energy transition than all known land deposits, a treasure trove once thought impossible to mine. But now, with the introduction of breakthrough technologies, companies from China, Canada, Norway to Russia, and beyond are competing for dominance.

Scientists warn that disrupting life in the deep sea could worsen the global carbon cycle, with consequences we can’t yet predict. In the meantime, one Canadian company is taking a novel approach. Using an autonomous underwater robot with a hovering system, they aim to minimize environmental impact. This story explores the technological race below the ocean, the geopolitical tensions shaping it, and the scientific warnings about its consequences.