Environmental Protection System between the Antarctic Treaty System and the Arctic Regime: An Insight
- June 28, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186
Onwurah Okwudili
The House of Laws, Ocean University, Nigeria
Abstract:- Antarctica and the Arctic often regarded as polar regions located at the south and north poles respectively plays an important role of sunlight reflection in the climatic system. Such geo-metrological function of the polar regions ensures the maintenance of balance on planet earth hence the need for protection of the regions as global commons. Thus, the focus of this paper is to x-ray the rationale behind the differential approach in environmental protection of both regions by adopting an interdisciplinary approach which will give insight in the politico-legal regimes governing the regions. It will equally highlight why the Antarctic mechanism seems more systematic in relation to the Arctic regimes on environmental protection. It will conclude by advancing a proposition that will favour the desirability for more sustainable commitments on the part of state parties especially the Arctic States and the need for more state participation in governance of the regions.
Key words: Antarctic, Arctic, polar region, environmental protection, global common, environmental impact assessment, Arctic Council, IGY, Antarctic Treaty System, Antarctica.
I. INTRODUCTION
There is a relative consensus among scientist and other scholars on the geo-metrological function of the polar regions on the earth planet. Thus, the polar regions provides a unique setting for the development of international law especially the law of the sea and international environmental law. The Antarctic and the Arctic polar regions are governed by special rules of environmental protection which reflects the special nature of these areas and the prominent role they play in stabilizing regional and global environmental condition. The Arctic encompasses a total area of approximately 14,056 million square kilometres and is located between the North Pole and latitude 60 degrees north and it include the Arctic Ocean, northern Alaska, Greenland, the Barents Sea, the Beaufort Sea, Hudson Bay and the tributaries of some rivers and water bodies originating in adjacent areas which falls within the territorial jurisdictions of Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Russia, Iceland, and the United States.
