Pollution, Politics, and International Law

Tankers at Sea

R. Michael M’Gonigle, Mark W. Zacher, R. Michael M'Gonigle

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9780520364608
• eBook ISBN: 9780520339187
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Law
• Subtopic: Environmental Law
• Index: Law

Pollution, Politics, and International Law: Tankers at Sea is a compelling exploration of the global struggle to manage and protect the oceans in the face of economic ambitions and environmental crises. Centering on oil pollution from vessels, this book provides a detailed account of international efforts to address the environmental damage caused by tanker accidents and oil spills, such as those involving the Torrey Canyon and Amoco Cadiz. Against the backdrop of rising maritime traffic and the pivotal role of oil in the global economy, the authors delve into the high-stakes negotiations at the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the International Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO), shedding light on the intense political and corporate rivalries that influence ocean governance.

With remarkable clarity, the book weaves together historical and technical insights to present a nuanced analysis of the competing interests at play—governmental, intergovernmental, and corporate. It examines the critical intersection of economic imperatives, environmental preservation, and international law, highlighting the challenges of creating a unified managerial regime for the oceans. Through its vivid narrative and authoritative research, the book not only underscores the urgent need for effective action but also captures the drama and significance of this "silent war" over the planet’s vast maritime resources. A must-read for environmental scholars and policymakers, this work serves as both a vital reference and a call to action for safeguarding the future of the world's oceans.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1979.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents 1
• Tables, Maps, and Charts
• Glossary of Acronyms
• Foreword By Maurice F. Strong1
• Acknowledgments
• PART ONE The Issues and the International Organization Context
• Chapter I The Nature of the Challenge
• Chapter II The International Problem of Oil Pollution
• Chapter III IMCO and Its Members
• PART TWO The Formulation of the Environmental Regime
• Chapter IV Discharge Standards and Pollution-Control Technologies
• Chapter V Coastal State Rights: Intervention and Compensation
• Chapter VI Jurisdiction and Enforcement
• PART THREE Political Processes of Environmental Co ntrol
• Chapter VII The Environmental Law of the Oceans: Dete rminants of Change
• Chapter VIII The Implementation of Conventions: From Treaty to Law, From Law to Compliance
• Conclusion
• Chapter IX The Political Process and the Future of Env ironmental Protection
• Appendix I Tables
• Appendix II The Insurance Industry
• Index