Recent news stories have shed light on the significant environmental impact of mining activities, particularly with regards to climate and biodiversity. The controversy over deep-sea mining has garnered attention, as proponents aim to extract metals necessary for clean technology, while Indigenous Pacific Islanders view it as a threat to life, culture, and the ocean itself. The potential depletion of water supplies, generation of toxic waste, and increased traffic due to rare earth mineral exploration near Joshua Tree National Park raises concerns about its environmental consequences, especially in an arid environment sensitive to water availability. In addition, a US-Indonesia trade deal has drawn criticism, with activists warning of potential acceleration of mining, deforestation, and fossil fuel use, alongside weak environmental safeguards. Moreover, a study has cautioned that despite the expansion of nature-based carbon market projects in Southeast Asia, there are design gaps and unintended impacts that limit their conservation benefits, falling short on biodiversity goals.