Great Decisions groups enable participants to develop a greater understanding of global affairs and to engage with the major foreign policy issues facing U.S. decisionmakers. Go to www.greatdecisions.org to order a copy of the 2012 discussion book and to access pdated uinformation since the publication was printed.

Rachel Carson, Jacques Cousteau, and Thor Hyerdahl published books in the 1950s and 1960s calling attention to the fact that the oceans are a “commons” area that is not exclusive to any one nation. UNCLOS III is a “constitution for the ocean” signed by 161 countries. The U.S. is one of 35 countries, including Libya and North Korea, that have not ratified UNCLOS III.

How is climate change affecting the oceans?

What are the U.S. interests in the Artic?

Where does the ocean fit into the national security and counterterror agenda?

Should the U.S. ratify UNCLOS?

How has plastic garbage inpacted the oceans?