Geopolitics, Environmental Change and Antarctic Governance: A Region in Need of a Transformative Approach to Science Diplomacy

Abstract

Antarctica, a continent that has been dedicated to scientific cooperation for decades, is increasingly coming under the pressure of several environmental, climatic, geopolitical (including the rise of Asian powers such as China) and geoeconomic changes (including fishing and bioprospecting). Although the Antarctic Treaty (AT) is considered a successful example of science diplomacy, as countries have set aside their territorial claims and the continent is a nuclear-free zone by shifting focus to scientific cooperation, its future remains uncertain with these developments. Science diplomacy always goes hand in hand with geopolitics. The AT that reflects Cold War geopolitics needs to be modified to represent present-day geopolitical realities for it to be enduring. It is also critical for the Antarctic Treaty System to continue maintaining the continent as a peace zone, environmental conservation and protection, and scientific collaboration. In this context, this chapter analyses the recent geopolitical trends associated with the Antarctic (against the backdrop of climatic and environmental change) and argues that the Antarctic Treaty System (and specific agreements under it) need to be reviewed. A transformative approach to Antarctic governance (including the Southern Ocean), especially in terms of its resources, needs to be adopted.