Welcome to Wild LIVE! Our series of discussions hosted by The Wildlife Trusts' Chief Executive, Craig Bennett. Each episode we'll be joined by a knowledgeable panel to chat about some of the really important issues relating to wildlife, the natural world and environment - as well as answering any burning questions you might have.
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Sea toad © NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2015 Hohonu Moana
Event: Treasure or trouble - should we mine for metals in the deep sea?
Date: Tuesday 24th February 2026
Time: 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Location: Online
About the event
The UN High Seas Treaty came into force on 17 January 2026, creating the first global framework to protect marine life in waters beyond national borders. But with rising demand for metals needed for renewable technologies, pressure is growing to mine the deep sea - one of the planet’s most fragile and least understood ecosystems. Join as our expert panel discuss.
Catch up on previous Wild LIVEs
Past episodes of Wild LIVE explore areas such as wildlife and nature recovery on land and at sea, health and wellbeing, the climate crisis, farming and planning.
You can watch all episodes of Wild LIVE on our YouTube channel.
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(c) Trai Anfield
Chair: Craig Bennett
Craig started as Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts in April 2020. On taking the helm he said: “We have long recognised that conserving nature is not enough; we must all do more to restore the abundance of nature, restore ecosystem processes, and reverse the UK’s status as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. We want to see at least a third of land and sea given to nature by 2030.”
Craig was previously CEO of Friends of the Earth, where he refocussed the organisation on its unique role of empowering communities to take action where they live, and use that momentum to tackle the climate and ecological crisis. He recently became a trustee of the independent think-tank and charity Green Alliance, and is a member of the Advisory Group for the new coalition Unchecked.UK which is making the cause for the common-sense protections that improve people's lives.
As Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts', Craig is calling on Government to commit to five principles to be applied to future planning, which would ensure planning reforms address the climate and nature crises.
Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Watch all our Wild LIVEs
Catch up on our series of monthly discussions hosted by The Wildlife Trusts' Chief Executive, Craig Bennett.