Globalization and the World Ocean

By (author) Peter Jacques

Publication date:

27 April 2006

Length of book:

208 pages

Publisher

AltaMira Press

ISBN-13: 9780759105850

Jacques offers a unique analysis of the connections between global marine and atmospheric science to global political phenomena. He shows how human survival is intricately linked to the sustainability of the world ocean, a singular connected body of regional oceans that is by definition a global resource that touches all other ecosystems. Jacques warns that the world ocean now offers evidence of several existential crises for global human populations, including declining global fisheries, coral reef losses, and climate change, but there has been a lack of global or regional cooperation in sustaining this complex ecosystem. He suggests how we can synthesize and coordinate global ecological information, exploring three regional areas in their local and global context: the South Pacific, Caribbean basin, and Southeast Asia. His book will be a valuable resource for researchers and students in environmental studies, marine sciences, and globalization studies.

1 Chapter 1: Sea Mist and Salt Air for Sale
2 Chapter 2: Global Environmental Theory, Oceanic Circles
3 Chapter 3: Marine Political Ecology
4 Chapter 4: Sustainability in the South Pacific
5 Chapter 5: Sustainability in the Caribbean Basin
6 Chapter 6: Sustainability in Southeast Asia
7 Chapter 7: Connecting the Parts—Theoretical Connections
8 Chapter 8: Conclusion

Peter Jacques has written a unique and important book that makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the relationship between environmental quality, globalization, and international conflict. By drawing together regional case studies of ocean sustainability he demonstrates a startlingly strong correlation between economic globalization, the relative decline of marine systems, and armed conflict. The more intense the globalization is in a region, the greater the likelihood of marine ecosystem destruction and increased armed conflict. This book demonstrates that the current trend of economic globalization will not provide a sustainable environmental future and, contrary to the prevailing international relations wisdom, will also lead to increased human conflict. Dr. Jacques' work should be read by government, business, and NGO leaders all over the world as a well as by any serious students of security and environmental policy..