BEXP 12A09 - Thinking the seas

Our oceans are the earth's largest habitats. For some civilisations, controlling the seas was a way to control the world and control of the maritime domain (Borders, ports and offshores installations) still remains a sovereign power for nations. Furthermore, playing a key role in the climate system, Oceans contain valuable resources such as oil, natural gas and minerals and they are also homing futures promises strategic elements such as platinum group metals, steel stabilisers, high-tech metals and rare earth elements. Many countries are, therefore, very interested in exploiting the mineral resources of the ocean floor with a view to securing supplies of raw materials. The industrialization of the deep sea is expanding worldwide since green energies produced through wind, waves, deep currents or variations of the salinization are mobilizing more and more interests. 99% of international data is transmitted by wires at the bottom of the ocean called submarine communications cables. The high seas are then also deep seas. Nuclear-range submarines cruising 6 months long, quasi invisible, demonstrate that deep seas are challenging strategy. This course will help to identify the most important trends, challenges and opportunities for practitioners, decisions-makers, from the world's seas and oceans. It will begin by focusing on the following areas: • resources and economic potential of the sea • Imaginaries bounded to the seas • environmental issues • governance of the sea

Xavier CARPENTIER-TANGUY

Séminaire

English

Spring 2022-2023

Each student will receive 3 grades: 35% general participation in the debates 30% oral presentation 35% examination (to be determined: essay or quiz)

All seminars are expected to be prepared by obligatory readings in order to facilitate debates. Some group works will also be prepared for simulation cases.