The Antarctic Treaty turned rivalry into cooperation. Political and environmental philosopher Dr. Alejandra Mancilla traces how overlapping territorial claims, international tensions, and the Cold War led twelve countries to sign the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. The resulting Antarctic Treaty System set the continent aside for peaceful purposes and international scientific cooperation while effectively freezing competing territorial claims. The episode explores environmental protection, membership and decision-making, questions of political legitimacy, and the pressures climate change could place on polar governance. It also asks what the treaty’s model of shared guardianship might teach the rest of the world.
Episode Guest: Dr. Alejandra Mancilla
Visit Dr. Mancilla’s website
Find Dr. Mancilla’s article here
Browse Dr. Mancilla’s publications on Google Scholar
Learn more about the Antarctic Treaty here
South Pole: What if Antarctica had Legal Personhood?
Read Antarctic journalist Tiara Walter’s work
Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website
Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia
Hosted, produced and edited by Clark Marchese
Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.
Theme music by Nela Ruiz
Find some more Pine Forest Media podcasts below
Listen to Oceanography on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Listen to Plastic Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Listen to Something in the Water on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
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