Protecting the Environment of Polar Regions

• Main Author: VIGNI, PATRIZIA
• Other Authors: F.Lenzerini-A. Vrdoljak, Vigni, Patrizia
• Format: Book Part
• Language: English
• Published: HART PUBLISHING 2014
• Subjects: Polar region; Antarctica; Arctic; International Law; Common good; Environment; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11365/49654

The fragility of the polar environment clearly requires special protection.The destruction of the polar environment also entails the degradation of other areas of our planet, in particular, the seas. Thus, harms affecting polar regions should be perceived as a threat for humankind as a whole. The need for high-level protection of the polar environment requires an identification of the most competent regime and entity to ensure this protection. First of all, this level of competence must be evaluated on the basis of the authoritativeness that a regime and entity has achieved both at the internal and external levels. Evidently, a single regime or entity is not able to deal with the difficult issue concerning the protection of the environment of polar regions. A multilevel dimension of protection is required. A multilevel system of protection can only work provided that the diverse regimes and entities involved fully cooperate for this purpose. Unfortunately, this cooperation does not occur very often in international law. Nevertheless, Nevertheless, one must bear in mind that the conservation of the polar environment still remains the only way to ensure the present and future survival and sustainable development of the international community as a whole. Thus, cooperation is not advisable, but it is necessary.