New publication of interest:

Rayfuse, W(h)ither Tuvalu? International Law and Disappearing States, [2009] UNSWLRS 9.

Abstract:

Not since the demise of the fabled state of Atlantis has the world witnessed the actual physical disappearance of a state. However, climate change induced sea level rise nowthreatens to redraw the physical geographical map of the world, radically altering coastlines and creating new ocean areas. The extreme vulnerability of low-lying coastal areas and islands to sea encroachment is now notorious with the most serious threat being to the continued viability and actual existence of island states such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and the Maldive Islands. While the possibility of ‘disappearing’
states has been recognized since the late 1980s, the issue is usually addressed in the context of ‘climate’ or ‘environmental refugees’. This paper examines the issue of sea level rise and disappearing states in light of traditional international law principles relating to statehood, the law of the sea and entitlement to and jurisdiction over maritime spaces. This paper argues in favour of an international strategy to freeze existing baselines and maritime zones to promote achievement of the Law of the Sea Convention objectives of peace, stability, certainty, fairness, and efficiency in oceans governance and as a means of ensuring providing disappearing states with continued access to and benefit from their marine resources. The paper introduces the concept of the ‘deterritorialised
state’ and argues for its application as the basis for continuing recognition of the sovereignty of disappeared states over their pre-existing maritime zones and the resources
therein.

The New York Times today contains an article discussing the potential consideration of climate change by the UN Security Council. I’ve taught this topic in climate change law courses before, and the students have always been really engaged in the discussion as to whether climate change should be deemed a threat to international security, and whether the Security Council is an appropriate venue in which to address climate change. A good reading to assign in this context is: Penny, Greening the Security Council: Climate Change as a Emerging Threat to International Peace and Security, 7 International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law & Economics (2007).