Block 6 (Global Governance Of The Earth's Oceans) Flashcards
Define Global Commons
Resource domains/areas that lie outside the political reach of any one nation
What are the 4 global commons?
- High Seas
- Antarctica
- Outer space
- Atmosphere
Define ‘High Seas’
Areas further than 200 nautical miles off a country’s coastline that are not owned or controlled by any one country
Who are agreements made by about the Earth’s oceans (High Seas)?
Supranational institutions
Define supranational institutions
An organisation which has decision making powers/influence that transcend national boundaries or governments
Compare national governance to global governance in terms of: regulation, decision making, primary goals
REGULATION
National: Centralised
Global: Multilateral
DECISION MAKING
National: Based on rule of law
Global: Based on agreements + cooperation
PRIMARY GOALS
National: Economic growth + resource security
Global: World peace, global prosperity + sustainability
List 5 supranational institutions that play a role in global governance
- EU (European Union)
- UN (United Nations)
- UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific + Cultural Organisation)
- G7/8 + G20 (Group of 7/8 nations that grew into 20)
- NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)
What role does the EU play in global governance of the oceans?
Has its own supranational laws for EU nations
E.g. Marine Directive
- Aims to achieve a ‘good environmental status’ for EU waters + protect EU marine resources
- One main role is controlling pollution of EU waters (e.g. need double hull on ships)
What is UNCLOS?
Most important agreement in global governance of oceans
Large treaty that covers all aspects of marine management, aiming to promote sustainable development + political stability in oceans
E.g. Led to the establishment of EEZs
What role does UNESCO play in global governance of the oceans?
Part of its role is environmental protection, including oceans
- Designates areas to protect (e.g. GBR)
- Involved in global conventions (e.g. Paris Agreement 2015)
What role does G7/8/20 play in global governance of the oceans?
Commits a series of predominantly HICs to working towards sustainability + conservation of oceans
E.g. In 2017, G20 developed an action plan to reducing plastic waste entering oceans
What role does NATO play in global governance of the oceans?
It is a military alliance, so plays a role in maritime security including of the oceans
E.g. plays role in tackling Indian Ocean piracy
What does EEZ stand for?
Exclusive Economic Zone
Which law on oceans created EEZs?
UNCLOS
What role does G77 play in global governance of the oceans?
Commits a series of predominantly developing countries to working towards sustainability + conservation of oceans
Who are members of G7/8/20
G7: US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan
G8: Others + Russia
G20: Extended to include 12 others (mainly HICs)
Who are the members of G77?
134 predominantly developing countries
What are the 3 main laws/agreements on governance of oceans that we look at?
- UNCLOS (including EEZs)
- UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
- EU’s Marine Directive
Who has signed UNCLOS?
- 168 countries
- NOT INCLUDING: US + some landlocked countries
What are EEZs?
- Areas of water extending 200 nautical miles from a state’s shore
- State has ownership + management rights over all biotic + abiotic resources in the ocean or ocean floor of their EEZ
What was decided in UNCLOS about EEZs where two states’ EEZs overlapped?
UN made decision on boundary
There remains conflict over the boundaries of some EEZs. Give an example
Norway + Russia dispute area around Svalbard
Give an example of conflict over EEZs of overseas territories
UK + Argentina dispute area around the Falkland Islands
Give 2 examples of geopolitical disputes over ocean governance
The South China Sea + Antarctica
Define global superpowers
Very influential nations with hard powers (military + economic superiority) + soft powers (culture, diplomacy, negotiatory skills)
Who were the global superpowers in the 20th C and who are the global superpowers today?
20th C = USA + Soviet Union
Today = USA + China
Give 3 reasons superpowers want control over the oceans
- To protect communication + trade
- To ensure maritime security
- To deliver humanitarian aid/relief
When was Britain a global superpower?
When the British Empire thrived (up to mid 20th C)
What were the 2 stages of British Empire growth?
1) Pre-1850 - Small coastal colonies conquered
2) Post-1850 - Control extended inland
How much land + people did the British Empire rule in 1920?
Ruled over 25% land
Ruled over 20% people
What were the 2 main impacts of the British Empire?
1) Culturally diverse UK cities (acted as trade hubs - e.g. Bristol)
2) Global network in form of the Commonwealth of Nations
What are the 2 main security issues affecting maritime trade?
- Oil chokepoints
- Piracy
Define chokepoints
Narrow channels along widely used global sea routes
How much of global maritime trade does oil make up?
30%
How much of the world’s oil travels through the 7 major chokepoints?
53%
What are the 7 main oil chokepoints and which oceans/seas do they connect?
- Strait of Hormuz (Persian Gulf -> Gulf of Oman)
- Strait of Malacca (Indian Ocean -> Pacific Ocean)
- Suez Canal (Red Sea -> Mediterranean Sea)
- Mandeb Strait (Red Sea -> Indian Ocean)
- Danish Strait (North Sea -> Baltic Sea)
- Turkish Strait (Aegean Sea -> Mediterranean Sea)
- Panama Canal (Atlantic Ocean -> Pacific Ocean)
Summarise the change in oil shipping
- Increased capacity of tanker fleet (up 73% since 2000)
- Fluctuating container size (based on size of: vessel + chokepoint)
- Fluctuating amount of oil shipped (based on: demand)
What is the potential future oil chokepoint?
NorthWest Passage
- Atlantic Ocean -> Pacific Ocean
- May open up due to melting Arctic Sea ice
What are the 3 oil chokepoints I am learning in detail?
- Strait of Hormuz
- Suez Canal
- Panama Canal
Give facts about the Strait of Hormuz
- Most used oil chokepoint (18.5 mill barrels/day in 2016)
- Persian Gulf -> Gulf of Oman (Middle East)
Give facts about the Suez Canal
- Red Sea -> Mediterranean Sea
- Reduces distance from Asia -> Europe
- Man made
- Operated by Suez Canal Authority ($5.3 bill/day in tolls in 2017)
Give facts about the Panama Canal
- Atlantic Ocean -> Pacific Ocean
- Stops having to travel around S.America
- Up to 2016: significance fell, too narrow, less Alaskan oil to transport
- After 2016 expansion: fits 96% ships, tolls now very expensive ($800,000/ large vessel)
Define piracy
The attack of ships to gain profit (ie through, money, goods, ransoms)
What are the social, economic + environmental impacts of piracy?
Social - Crew may be: kept hostage, injured, killed Economic - Loss of goods - Disruption of trade through delays - Cost of piracy management Environmental - Unmanned ships vulnerable to accidents + oil spills
How much does piracy cost the international economy per yr?
$7 bill -> $12 bill (2010 est)
How do piracy patterns vary globally?
- Some areas have seen an increase (e.g. SE Asia around Strait of Malacca)
- Some areas have seen a decrease, particularly thanks to management in the area (e.g. Somali piracy has declined since 2011 - thanks to Operation Ocean Shield)
What percentage of piracy occurs in SE Asia?
41%
Give an example of piracy
Strait of Malacca Piracy
- SE Asia chokepoint (Indian Ocean -> Pacific Ocean)
Reasons:
- Poverty (LIC)
- Narrow (2.7km)
- Opportunity (1/3 global goods + 80% global oil passes through)
Increasing (8 attacks in 2018, 30 attacks in 2019)
Attempts to manage:
- Local organisations - Singapore’s Navy Info Fusion Centre
- International organisations - International Maritime Bureau
Why is management of piracy currently unsuccessful around the Strait of Malacca?
Local + international organisations are bad at working together (political rivalries) and have a lack of resources
How has Somali piracy been successful managed that has led to its decline since 2011?
Operation Ocean Shield (NATO)
- Helped militarise ships
- Helped coordinate patrols
