INTERNATIONAL LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SEA LEVEL RISE
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Abstract
During the United Nations' early 2023 hearing on sea level rise, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that “the impact of rising seas is already creating new sources of instability and conflict”[1]. From an international legal perspective, sea level rise poses “unthinkable” risks, with profound impacts on security, international law, human rights, and social structure, etc., which leads to large migrations in some vulnerable areas. Research on the relevant legal consequences as well as international legal responsibilities on sea level rise is necessary to prevent unwanted future damage to humanity. This article focuses on clarifying the causes leading to current sea level rise, the consequences, and the legal implications of this issue, thereby determining the international legal responsibilities of the parties and taking the first steps to provide relevant suggestions to prevent the above consequences. Besides, the article also provides some advice for the case of Vietnam.
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