Earth Law: Antarctica

Most humans will never step foot on the frozen surfaces of Antarctica or the Arctic. Yet, all planetary life is interconnected with these polar regions. Human activity continues to warm the climate in ways that accelerate the melting of Earth’s air conditioning systems. Thawing ice and snow raise global sea levels, which contributes to problems like food insecurity, housing loss, and economic instability that strike populations as far apart as Greenland and​​ the Philippines. Other species that depend upon these harsh, albeit sensitive, habitats are being displaced or lost. This section features various legal approaches that support conservation efforts and advance the rights of Antarctica as a type of global commons and the more-than-human lives that dwell in this frozen continent.