South China Sea

Harvesting the Waves explores how ecological diplomacy can bridge conflicting interests, transforming disputed waters into areas of cooperation. The creation of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the South China Sea presents a promising strategy for alleviating geopolitical tensions. By fostering shared conservation goals and promoting sustainable resource management, these efforts encourage peaceful collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Drawing on comprehensive research and real-world case studies, the book sheds light on the delicate balance between environmental ...

Few territories are as hotly contested as the western Pacific Ocean. Across the 1.5 million square mile expanse of the East and South China Sea, six countries lay overlapping claims that date back centuries. China, Vietnam, Korea and Indonesia assert their right to trade routes, deploying military garrisons to defend disputed territories while Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines resist their expansion.

New islands are being built at an unprecedented rate, whether for tourism or territorial ambition, while many islands are disappearing or fragmenting because of rising sea levels. It is a strange planetary spectacle, creating an ever-changing map that even Google Earth struggles to keep pace with. In The Age of Islands, explorer and geographer Alastair Bonnett takes the listener on a compelling and thought-provoking tour of the world's newest, most fragile and beautiful islands and reveals what, he argues, is one of the great dramas of our time.