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Ocean Fertilisation and Climate Change: The Need to Regulate Emerging High Seas Uses

Ocean Fertilisation and Climate Change: The Need to Regulate Emerging High Seas Uses AbstractGeo-engineering and environmental modification techniques are increasinglybeing proposed as climate change mitigation strategies. Ocean fertilisationhas been promoted as a simple solution to the problem of increasingatmospheric CO2 levels. However, neither its environmental safety nor itsefficacy has been adequately assessed. This article examines the legality ofocean fertilisation under the law of the sea and concludes that it issubject to regulation under the London Convention and London Protocol as itspotential for harm is contrary to the aims of these agreements. Hence, thesale of carbon offsets to fund ocean fertilisation activities should beprohibited unless and until an adequate risk assessment based on independentpeer-reviewed science has established that the benefits outweigh thepotential for harm, and appropriate regulation is in place to ensure thatreal, measurable, long-term CO2 sequestration can be independently verified.The initial uncertainties surrounding the appropriate regulatory regime forocean fertilisation highlight the need for a comprehensive global regime forthe prior assessment and on-going monitoring of existing, new and emerginghigh seas activities and uses to ensure they do not have adverse impacts onmarine biodiversity and the marine environment in areas beyond nationaljurisdiction. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law Brill

Ocean Fertilisation and Climate Change: The Need to Regulate Emerging High Seas Uses

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References (2)

Publisher
Brill
Copyright
Copyright © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
ISSN
0927-3522
eISSN
1571-8085
DOI
10.1163/092735208X295846
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

AbstractGeo-engineering and environmental modification techniques are increasinglybeing proposed as climate change mitigation strategies. Ocean fertilisationhas been promoted as a simple solution to the problem of increasingatmospheric CO2 levels. However, neither its environmental safety nor itsefficacy has been adequately assessed. This article examines the legality ofocean fertilisation under the law of the sea and concludes that it issubject to regulation under the London Convention and London Protocol as itspotential for harm is contrary to the aims of these agreements. Hence, thesale of carbon offsets to fund ocean fertilisation activities should beprohibited unless and until an adequate risk assessment based on independentpeer-reviewed science has established that the benefits outweigh thepotential for harm, and appropriate regulation is in place to ensure thatreal, measurable, long-term CO2 sequestration can be independently verified.The initial uncertainties surrounding the appropriate regulatory regime forocean fertilisation highlight the need for a comprehensive global regime forthe prior assessment and on-going monitoring of existing, new and emerginghigh seas activities and uses to ensure they do not have adverse impacts onmarine biodiversity and the marine environment in areas beyond nationaljurisdiction.

Journal

The International Journal of Marine and Coastal LawBrill

Published: Jan 1, 2008

Keywords: DUMPING; LONDON PROTOCOL; OCEAN FERTILISATION; LONDON CONVENTION

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