The Seventh Continent: Antarctica in a Resource Age / Edition 1

by Deborah Shapley

Overview

First Published in 2011. Part of the resources for the future library collection on Global Environment and Development, this is the final Volume of seven. This book presents a broad-ranging study of Antarctica's history, politics, and development prospects with a command of issues in geography, science policy, technology, and international law, which is addressed with authority and flair. At this time, nations of the world are struggling to fashion a legal framework to govern Antarctic resources, which some regard as the common heritage of mankind. This debate, described vividly here, represents an ongoing application of the common-property resource concept, which has played a prominent role in RFF's research and analytical contributions during the past quarter-century. Furthermore, the continent's energy and minerals endowment-if exploitable at all (and in the author's judgment the prospects for this are dim)-constitute at best resources for the future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781617260483
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/19/2011
Series:	RFF Global Environment and Development Set , #7
Pages:	338
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Foreword by Joel Darmstadter, Preface, 1. The Setting, 2. The United States in Antarctica: Past, 3. Other National Interests, 4. The Antarctic Treaty, 5. Resource Issues Emerge, 6. Resources Drive Diplomacy, 7. The United States in Antarctica: Present and Future, 8. The Future of the Antarctic Treaty, Appendix A: The Antarctic Treaty, Appendix B: Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, Notes, Sources of Illustrations, Sources of Maps, Index

Editorial Reviews

'An authoritative political analysis as well as a guide for future actions the US might consider taking with regard to Antarctica ... Abundantly illustrated and carefully documented, this well-written volume is a must for libraries across the US and abroad' Choice '[Shapley] has produced a superb book about Antarctica that successfully focuses on the continent's role in international affairs and also provides a beautifully written summary of the continent's history, science, resources, and politics. Her ability to cover so much material in one volume without superficiality is astonishing. The result is a book that will be of interest to the general reader as well as the specialist.' Eugene B. Skolnikoff, Director of the Center for International Studies, MIT 'What will Antarctica become? A wilderness preserve? A scientific laboratory? A model of economic cooperation between industrial and developing countries? A polar oil field? Shapley focuses on the continent's role in international affairs as a resource contender... The Antarctic Treaty (1961) with 12 original signatory countries has held the web of political interests in balance thus far, but many disparate forces are impinging on the treaty... Shapley offers suggestions and solutions in this well-documented text. Recommended.' Diane M. Brown, UC Berkeley

From the Publisher

What will Antarctica become? A wil derness preserve? A scientific laborato ry? A model of economic cooperation between industrial and developing countries? A polar oil field? Shapley fo cuses on the continent's role in interna tional affairs as a resource contender. She also provides a detailed discussion of U.S. involvement in Antarctica, a timely account including recently de classified material. The Antarctic Trea ty (1961), with 12 original signatory countries, has held the web of political interests in balance thus far, but many disparate forces now are impinging on the treatythe developing nations and the UN, possible scientific secretive ness and rivalry over minerals, the in creasingly active role of the Soviet Un ion. Shapley offers suggestions and solutions in this well-documented text. Recommended. Diane M. Brown, Production: line 30 seems awfully loose Univ. of California Libs., Berkeley

Library Journal