Beyond the Science Criterion: Reconsidering Antarctic governance in an era of climate change

Beyond the Science Criterion: Reconsidering Antarctic governance in an era of climate change

Author: Eric Paglia December 21, 2020 Duration: 27:35
Science is to a large extent the currency of governance and geopolitics in Antarctica, giving countries that conduct scientific research there a seat at the Antarctic Treaty System table. But should countries—often from the global South—that bear the brunt of the effects of climate-induced geophysical changes in Antarctica be given a greater voice in the ATS, even if they lack the resources to conduct costly research in the southern high latitudes? Similarly, should the influence of ATS states somehow be related to their level of carbon dioxide emissions, which drive the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet?  Peder Roberts, associate professor at the University of Stavanger, joins the podcast to reflect on how countries could be incentivized to reduce their impact on Antarctica while continuing to pursue ambitious polar science programs.

Hosted by Eric Paglia, Polar Geopolitics-Arctic and Antarctic analysis digs into the complex forces shaping the world's most remote frontiers. This isn't just a geography lesson; it's a deep exploration of how power, policy, and environmental crisis collide at the poles. Each conversation moves beyond headlines to examine the underlying strategic currents, from the scramble for critical raw materials in Greenland to the delicate governance of the Antarctic Treaty System. You'll hear leading researchers and policymakers unpack the realities of great power competition, where the interests of the United States, China, and Russia intersect with melting ice and emerging sea routes. The discussions regularly grapple with the role of institutions like the Arctic Council, the nuances of science diplomacy, and even the unsettling potential for hybrid warfare in these fragile environments. By applying a sharp geopolitical lens, the podcast reveals how climate change and national ambition are inextricably linked, making the polar regions central to understanding our global future. Tune in for thoughtful, expert-driven analysis that connects distant ice caps to the core issues of international affairs.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 89

Polar Geopolitics - Arctic and Antarctic analysis
Podcast Episodes
Governance disrupted: Pandemic impacts on Antarctica [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:35
Although Antarctica is the only continent without a case of COVID-19, the pandemic has already caused a great deal of disruption to the ATS governance regime, as well as to scientific research and the tourism industry. S…
Risks to Arctic Communities from the Coronavirus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:17
This episode explores how COVID-19 and the worldwide coronavirus pandemic could lead to an array of serious consequences for vulnerable Arctic communities that already face significant social, economic and public health…
The Geopolitics of the "Polar" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:59
“The creation of polar identity is ultimately a matter of geopolitics, of the value states see in instruments and symbols that speak to polar rather than Arctic or Antarctic interests,” according to a new article entitle…
Resilient Regime at 60: An international law perspective on the ATS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:53
International law expert Dr. Jeffrey McGee makes the case that the Antarctic Treaty System is a resilient regime that 60 years after its signing remains a shining light of global governance for the area south of 60° Sout…