A Blue New Deal: Why We Need a New Politics for the Ocean

by Chris Armstrong

Overview

An urgent account of the state of our oceans today—and what we must do to protect them
 
“Provides a persuasive guide to recovery, and is an inspiring and invigorating read.”—Phoebe Weston, The Guardian
 
The ocean sustains life on our planet, from absorbing carbon to regulating temperatures, and, as we exhaust the resources to be found on land, it is becoming central to the global market. But today we are facing two urgent challenges at sea: massive environmental destruction, and spiraling inequality in the ocean economy.
 
Chris Armstrong reveals how existing governing institutions are failing to respond to the most pressing problems of our time, arguing that we must do better. Armstrong examines these crises—from the fate of people whose lands will be submerged by sea level rise to the exploitation of people working in fishing to the rights of marine animals—and makes the case for a powerful World Ocean Authority capable of tackling them. A Blue New Deal presents a radical manifesto for putting equality, democracy, and sustainability at the heart of ocean politics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300270402
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	05/23/2023
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.75(h) x (d)

About the Author

Chris Armstrong is professor of political theory at the University of Southampton. He is the author of Global Distributive Justice, Justice and Natural Resources: An Egalitarian Theory, and Why Global Justice Matters: Moral Progress in a Divided World.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vi

Acknowledgements viii

Glossary x

Introduction 1

1 The Crucible of Life 10

2 Freedom at Sea 28

3 Enclosing the Ocean 49

4 Remaking the World Order at Sea 74

5 Seven Principles of Ocean Justice 95

6 Protecting Workers at Sea 115

7 The Rights of Marine Animals 137

8 Sea-Level Rise and Small Island States 158

9 A Blue New Deal 182

10 Beyond the Blue New Deal 201

Afterword 223

Notes 228

Further Reading 251

Index 253

Editorial Reviews

Provides a persuasive guide to recovery, and is an inspiring and invigorating read.”—Phoebe Weston, The Guardian

“Armstrong argues that the institutions and laws that govern our oceans are too fragmented, too weak and too amenable to vested interests to protect the marine environment from further destruction. . . . He makes his case for a new approach by exploring the mess we are in.”—Simon Ings, New Scientist

“This thoughtful tome is a must-read for anyone who cares about ocean and marine life.”—Sunday Express

“This is a vision for bio-diversity, citizen-led governance, equality, sustainability and recovery, and the possibility of social and economic benefits for all.”—Jini Reddy, National Geographic

Winner of the Lynton Keith Caldwell Award, sponsored by the APSA


“Indispensable. A must read for anyone who cares about the ocean and understands the integral role it plays in our lives. This book is also a strong reminder that doing better and leaving no one behind in the process is a choice we can and should make for the sake of our present and our future.”—Dr. Asha de Vos, founder of Oceanswell

“Chris Armstrong delivers a deep dive into a complex and crucial ocean narrative. A Blue New Deal is a gripping read, providing a well-argued vision of a just future for nature and humanity in the largest liveable space on earth.”—Torsten Thiele, founder of the Global Ocean Trust

“A Blue New Deal is a timely contribution to one of the most important issues facing us all, written with an appropriate sense of urgency but also as a result of deep and wide scholarship. I hope, for all our sakes, it reaches a wide readership.”—Ray Monk, author of Ludwig Wittgenstein: The Duty of Genius

“A Blue New Deal is the first systematic look by a political theorist at the most important and most endangered global commons. Not only does Chris Armstrong provide a brilliant critical account of the origins of the failing oceanic governance, he also offers a forward-looking guidance on how to design reforms towards justice and environmental sustainability. The range of issues addressed (from workers at sea, marine animals, small island states, seabed minerals) and a broad and practice-based approach to justice makes this book a must both for policy makers and political theorists.”—Dr. Petra Gümplová, University of Erfurt

“Blue New Deal shows how our treatment of the sea aggravates both climate change and socioeconomic inequalities. It is rare for a book written by an academic to be so rich in facts and arguments and yet also fun to read. A must-read for academics, policy-makers and activists alike.”—Dr. Dimitrios Efthymiou, Goethe University Frankfurt

From the Publisher