Uncovered and unstable coasts: climate change and territorial sea baselines in the Arctic

• Main Authors: Schofield, Clive H, Sas, Blanche
• Format: Book Part
• Language: unknown
• Published: Research Online 2015
• Subjects: uncovered; sea; unstable; baselines; arctic; coasts; climate; change; territorial; Arts and Humanities; Law; Arctic; Climate change; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://ro.uow.edu.au/lhapapers/2153

Evidence that the Arctic region is experiencing profound changes to its ecosysn tern is overwhelming. The on-going transformations of the Arctic environn ment have to an extent been symbolized by the dramatic reductions in the 1S summer extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice in recent years (see below)- a development that has led to speculation over potential threats and opportug nities associated with a dramatically changing Arctic ecosystem and enhanced access to Arctic lands and waters. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ The chapter will first outline the importance of baselines and the types of baselines used by the Arctic States. A brief overview of on-going environmental and geophysical changes in the Arctic is then provided with a view to highlighting the implications for Arctic coasts and baselines. This provides the backdrop for consideration of the baseline practice of the Arctic coastal States, the international legal issues respecting baselines arising from the changing environment, and possible mechanisms to address the identified challenges.