“How the ‘Frozen’ Influences the ‘Unfrozen’:Perspectives from the management of newly exposed marine areas”

• Published in: The Polar Journal
• Main Author: Heinrich, Katharina
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: /dk/atira/pure/person/fieldofscience2010/5/13; name=Law; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Ice Shelves
• Online Access: https://research.ulapland.fi/fi/publications/17e1a8d6-3082-4406-9fbd-28ea9d06a508; https://doi.org/10.1080/2154896X.2023.2272407

While the exact impacts of climate change on the Antarctic environment remain uncertain, accelerated changes, including changes in the Antarctic cryosphere, are identified through a plethora of research efforts. For example, ice shelves, which fringe about 74% of Antarctic coastlines, are thinning and calving. Despite being a natural process, the phenomenon is likely accelerated by ocean and atmospheric warming and, thus, human-induced. As it is likely to occur more frequently in the face of global warming, emerging newly exposed marine areas open new possibilities for research and economic interests. As such, they have become sites bearing the complexities prevalent within the region. While being dedicated to science and peace, the underlying frozen territorial claims to the Antarctic continent seem to continuously shape the decision-making and governance of the region and its resources. Against this background, the presentation explores the challenges and opportunities regarding the perspective of creating an international environmental sanctuary by investigating the management of newly exposed marine areas