Threatened Island Nations: Legal Implications of Rising Seas and a Changing Climate
May 23-25, 2011
In 2011, the Center for Climate Change Law and the Republic of the Marshall Islands co-sponsored a conference, “Threatened Island Nations: Legal Implications of a Changing Climate.” The meeting discussed such issues as continuing statehood and maintenance of maritime zones for states facing inundation from sea level rise; resettlement rights and practicalities of population displacement; liability for climatic harm in judicial forums; the utility of responsibility regimes under current law; and the role for a new convention on climate displacement. The conference proceedings ultimately resulted in the publication of a book capturing many of the articles and ideas that arose from the event.
This page provides logistical information, conference notes, video recordings of the proceedings, conference papers, press materials, and other materials that were not presented but are relevant to the conference.
Conference Logistics
- Event Flyer
- Introductory Call for Papers
- Conference Booklet (Including Participant Bios and Abstracts)
- Conference Registrants List
Presentations
Please email authors for approval if you wish to cite any information presented
- Jenny Grote Stoutenburg, When Do States Disappear? Thresholds of Effective Statehood and the Continued Recognition of “Deterritorialized” Island States, Statehood and Statelessness
- Maxine Burkett, The Nation Ex-Situ, Statehood and Statelessness
- David Freestone, Holding Back the Waves: Options to Secure Maritime Jurisdictional Claims in the Face of Sea Level Rise, Preserving Marine Rights: Fishing and Minerals
- Rosemary Rayfuse, Sea Level Rise and Maritime Zones: Preserving the Maritime Entitlements of ‘Disappearing States’, Preserving Marine Rights: Fishing and Minerals
- Dean Bialek, Ocean Acidification: International Forums and Strategies for Action, Legal Remedies
- Antonio Oposa, The Story of the King, Legal Remedies
- Brad K. Blitz, Statelessness, Protection and the Challenges of Resettlement, Migration and Resettlement Issues
- Leslie A. Stein, Domestic Law for Resettlement of Persons Displaced by Climate Change, Migration and Resettlement Issues
- Robin Bronen, CLIMigration: Forced Migration Due to Climate Change, Migration and Resettlement Issues
- Ilona Milar, Assessment of a Loss and Damage Mechanism under the UNFCCC, Existing Legal Structures
- Siobhan McInerney-Lankford, Human Rights, Climate Change and International Law, Existing Legal Structures
- David Hodgkinson, ‘In the Face of Looming Catastrophe’: A Treaty for Climate Change Displaced Persons, A New International Convention?
- Klaus Jacob, Risk-Based Planning Options for Sea Level Rise, Engineering for the Future
- Erin Coughlan, Adaptation Strategies: Republic of the Marshall Islands, Engineering for the Future
- Murray Ford, Local Scale Variability of Atoll Island Vulnerability: Challenges for Effective Adaptation Planning, Engineering for the Future
- Justin Rose, Domestic Legal Implications of Climate Change on Pacific Island Countries, Law and Policy Choices
Posters
- Benoit Andre, How Much for that State?: Valuing Intangible Assets Such as Statehood and Nationality
- Kristin Casper, Transboundary Climate Change to Coal: One Small Step Against a Dirty Energy, One Giant Leap for Climate Justice
- Carolina Claro, The Legal Treatment of Climate-Induced Immigrants under International Law
- D’lorah Hughes, Preparing for the Future By Studying the Issues of Today: A Look at the Marshallese Community in Arkansas
- Efren Jogia, Is Climate Change Drowning Tuvalu’s Sovereignty?
- Nicole Marshall, Anticipating a Condition of “Deterritorialized Statehood” for Small Island States: Examining the Ethical and Practical Responsibilities of Major Emitter Nations
- Mostafa Naser, Right to Self-determination and the People of Disappearing Island States: Challenges and Responses
- Ian Rampersad, Climate Change and Human Rights in the Carribbean: Threatened Islands and Threatened People
- Justin Rose, Voices from the Village: The USP Climate Change & Migration Project
- Glenys Spence, Sinking Sands: Adaptation of Immigration Policies for the “Well-Founded Fear” of Climate Change in the Caribbean
- Mark Stege, Strengthening Water Resilience to Climate Change in Majuro Atoll
- Lilian Yamamoto, Alternative Sovereignty “Models” for Island States
Conference Papers and Compilations
- Annotated Bibliography (statehood, maritime governance, legal liability, and property rights)
- Annotated Bibliography (resettlement, migration)
- Summary of Pacific Island Immigration Provisions
- Nathan Stopper, Searching for Obligations to Provide Climate Refugees with Social Services
- Jessica Wentz, Assisted Migration: A Viable Conservation Strategy to Preserve Biodiversity?
- Alexander Wong, Comparative Relocation: Case Study and Analysis of Options for Threatened Island Nations
- Jenny Grote, A History of Recognition of Small Island States in the International Community
- Mary Elena-Carr, Sea Level Rise in a Changing Climate: What Do We Know
- David Hodgkinson et al., Proposal for a Convention on Climate-Displaced Persons
- Jane McAdam, Why a Climate Change Displacement Treaty is Not the Answer
- Michel Prieur, Draft Convention on the International Status of Environmentally-Displaced Persons
Notes
Speeches (chronological)
- Michael Gerrard, Director, Columbia University Center for Climate Change Law
- Jurelang Zedkaia, President, Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Janos Pasztor, Executive Secretary, United Nations Panel on Global Sustainability
- John Silk, Foreign Minister, Republic of the Marshall Islands
Event Video (Day 1, Part 1)
Event Video (Day 1, Part 2)
Event Video (Day 2, Part 1)
Event Video (Day 2, Part 2)
Event Video (Day 3)