Threatened Island Nations

This book examines the legal implications of rising sea levels on small island nations, addressing critical issues of sovereignty, rights, and displacement.

In Threatened Island Nations, leading legal scholars from across the globe tackle the pressing legal challenges posed by rising sea levels that threaten the very existence of numerous small island nations, particularly in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. As these nations face the dire consequences of climate change, critical questions arise: If a nation is submerged, does it cease to be a state? What implications does this have for its representation in international bodies like the United Nations? Furthermore, the book delves into the complexities surrounding exclusive economic zones, which are vital for the fishing rights of these nations.

The authors explore the obligations of other countries to accommodate displaced populations and examine the legal status and rights of these individuals once they relocate. With the prospect of climate-induced displacement becoming increasingly real, Threatened Island Nations raises the urgent need for a new international framework to address the rights of climate-displaced peoples. The book also considers whether affected nations and their citizens can seek compensation for their losses, and if so, what legal avenues are available to them.

By addressing these novel and pressing questions, Threatened Island Nations serves as a crucial resource for understanding the intersection of environmental change and international law. It offers insights and potential solutions for legal recourse and advocacy for vulnerable island nations facing an uncertain future due to rising seas.