The Impact of Global Warming on Maritime Security in the Asia-Pacific Region

This discussion paper analyzes the impacts of global warming on maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on both geopolitical transformations and legal implications arising from climate-induced oceanic changes. It highlights how rising sea levels, intensifying marine disasters, and shifting ecosystems are reshaping security dynamics by affecting coastal infrastructure, altering resource distribution, and increasing risks of conflict over fisheries and maritime spaces. Particular attention is given to the strategic implications of Arctic ice melt, which is opening new sea routes and redefining global trade patterns and geopolitical competition, potentially leading to shifts in the balance of power and heightened tensions among major actors.