Synergies Between Freshwater Conservation and the Law of the Sea

CAPALDO, GRISELDA D.

Newsletter Environmental Law Centre-IUCN

ELC/IUCN

Lugar: Bonn; Año: 2002 vol. 2002 p. 8 - 10

The Terrestrial Climatic System consists of five integrated components whose permanent interaction tends to maintain a natural homeostasis.  Unfortunately and unwisely, this interaction is typically and unthinkingly disrupted by human beings – a clear demonstration that humanity is properly considered homo nescens more often than it can claim the title homo sapiens.  This opens the speculation about the tightly connected question – the possibility that mankind might be able to exist as a homo ambiens – an issue that merits broader treatment within another context. The five components of the Terrestrial Climate System, mentioned above, are the Atmosphere, the Cryosphere, the Biosphere, the Hydrosphere and the Lithosphere. This article will deal with the close relationship between the last two and will try to show their interconnection -- not only the extent to which conservation of the marine environment (part of the Hydrosphere) depends on the land-based sources, but also the extent to which the conservation of freshwater courses (part of the Lithosphere) depends on a safe management of marine activities.