Surfrider Foundation, Monterey Chapter

Our combined Quarterly Meeting with our Salty Speaker Series. Come get inspired! Learn from ocean professionals get involved with Surfrider.

The Salty Speakers Series will feature local specialists working to study and protect the ocean. Our presenters will share their work and help us gain new perspectives on the interconnectivity of our communities with Monterey Bay and beyond.

Get inspired by ocean professionals, then hear current projects and how you can get involved with Surfrider Monterey! Stick around for Q&A, ocean community networking, and play some games with friends at Oscar's Playground!

SPEAKER 1:
Seabed Mining: At what environmental cost for renewable energy technology? By William Godwin

With the push to find rare earth and other metals necessary for battery storage and renewable technologies are we losing perspective of environmental consequences of deep-sea mining activities needed to extract these products?

From my perspective as a geologist, the earth contains all the necessary raw products to allow humankind to enjoy life comfortably, have modest growth potential and still have resources available for generations to come. The earth however is not a limitless source and there are repercussions.

Efforts have begun to mine polymetallic nodules from the seafloor of the northern Pacific Ocean. These nodules are rock concretions that contain minerals like manganese, nickel, cobalt and copper. While deep-sea mining has not officially started in any part of the world, 16 international mining companies have contracts to explore the seabed for minerals within the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and other companies have contracts to explore for nodules in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific Ocean.

Brief Bio
William (Bill) Godwin is a retired engineering geologist who lives in Pacific Grove. He has been a member of the Monterey Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation for the last few years and is an advocate for protection of the beaches and oceans throughout the world.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Snacks + Sips:
- $5 Donation
- Pizza & Popcorn available by donation (cash or Venmo to Surfrider)
Drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic) available for purchase from Oscar’s Playground
All proceeds support Surfrider’s local ocean protection efforts.
Get Ready:
Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your love for the coast.
See you there!