Neil: I'm Neil.
Sam: And I'm Sam.
Here at Six Minute English,
we often discuss the new inventions and ideas scientists
dream up to fight climate change –
technologies like geo - engineering
which could reduce global warming
by reflecting sunlight back into space.
Neil: Often these ideas are controversial
because scientists disagree over
whether the technology is possible,
and whether, in some cases, it could do more harm than good.
Sam: In this programme,
we'll be finding out about a new idea to collect lumps of precious metals,
called nodules, from the bottom of the ocean.
The idea, known as deep-sea mining,
could provide the metals like copper, nickel and cobalt
which are needed for the green technology
used in electric car batteries and other renewable energy.
But could deep-sea mining actually damage delicate ocean ecosystems as well?