The Oceans in the Nuclear Age

The advent of the nuclear age in 1945 fundamentally altered the course of human events. The oceans are not the focus of the nuclear age, but the affairs of the oceans are deeply woven into the history of that age. Knowledge of what the nuclear age has meant for the oceans, however, is highly fragmented and there exists a surprising gap in research on the impact of the nuclear age on the oceans and on ocean law and policy. Ranging from dumped wastes to transportation to security, this study frames the complex multidimensional set of relationships between the oceans and the nuclear age and illuminates patterns of impact and response in ocean law.

Review:

As the editors note in the book's introductory part 1, knowledge about the oceans and about various nuclear-related activities has not previously been consolidated in one place. This knowledge has been fragrnenred among pockets of specialized experts. This book brings together valuable historical, environmental, scientific, political, and legal studies about a variety of nuclear activities. The Oceans in the Nuclear Age admirably achieves its goal: it frame[s] the complex multidimensional set of relationships between the oceans and the nuclear age, uncovers patterns of impact and response in the legal regime, and raises further questions for research (p.3). -John E. Noyes, California Western School of Law, The American Journal of International Law.