Tag: marine environment

Presentations from the International Conference on Maritime Challenges and Market Opportunities

Maritime disputes have emerged as major potential flashpoints in the Asia-Pacific region. The tense confrontations that have threatened regional security and stability are fueled by the complex historical relationships between countries, disagreement over maritime sovereignty issues, divergent understandings of international law, and many countries’ relentless pursuit of their national interests. Yet oceans need not be a source of regional tensions. On the contrary, these vast maritime expanses provide opportunities for cooperation among all relevant stakeholders. Oceans are crucial to international trade, global development, and human wellbeing and will play an increasingly significant in the global economy in the future.

To broaden our knowledge of the relationship between regional maritime and global economic issues, Taiwan Center for Security Studies (TCSS) hosted the International Conference on Maritime Challenges and Market Opportunities: “Facilitating Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific” on August 29–30, 2017, which was attended by domestic and foreign participants from academia and industry. In addition to maritime security and geopolitical issues, the conference also explored other key topics related to maritime affairs, including the sustainability of the ocean economy, fishing, shipbuilding, maritime energy (e.g. tidal power, offshore wind energy), seabed resources, emerging blue-water technologies, maritime startups, marine environmental protection, marine tourism, and the oceanic cultural and creative industries.

Read More

What are the implications of the Award in the Philippines v. China arbitration case for the marine environment?

Part XII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) codifies States’ “obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment.” In the Philippines’ arbitration case against China, its submissions addressed and sought the Tribunal’s conclusions on several relevant environmental issues. In the final Award, the protection of the marine environment was taken into consideration, and there are two major potential implications of the Award for environmental issues. These relate to (1) the preservation of the marine environment and (2) environmental cooperation between countries.

Read More

Commentary: Managing the South China Sea Commons through Science Policy

Perspectives 10 • 2016 • By James Borton

Environmental degradation remains at the center of scientific conversation on the South China Sea as more marine scientists sound the alarm about the environmental consequences of China’s island-building activities there. The problems facing the sea are as vast, deep, and seemingly intractable as the sea itself, and the need to address issues of acidification, biodiversity loss, climate change, and the destruction of coral reefs is urgent. The key is international scientific cooperation and for scientists from around the world to come together to provide policymakers with the information they need to make informed and responsible decisions in the South China Sea.

Read More

Interview with James Borton: Vietnamese Environmental Nationalism and the Campaign to “Save the East Sea”

Perspectives 8 • 2016 • By Jonathan Spangler and James Borton

The South China Sea Think Tank interviews James Borton about his experiences in the Chàm Islands, the emerging environmental awareness there, and the campaign to inspire Vietnamese youth to become more involved in national environmental issues.

Read More

Interview with James Borton: “Science Diplomacy” as a Solution to the South China Sea Disputes?

Perspectives 1 • 2015 • By Jonathan Spangler and James Borton

The South China Sea Think Tank interviews James Borton about “science diplomacy,” prospects for international cooperation on environmental issues, and Taiwan’s role in the South China Sea.

Read More

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén