Top Oceans Court says nations must reduce greenhouse gas emissions
The world's highest court covering the oceans said Tuesday that excessive greenhouse gases are pollutants that can cause irreversible damage to the marine environment. The groundbreaking advisory opinion was unanimous, and experts say it could lead to broader damages claims against polluting nations.The opinion of the court, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, is not binding, but states that from a legal perspective, nations must take all necessary measures to reduce, control and prevent marine pollution caused by gas emissions man-made greenhouse.Given the jurisdiction of the Court, sometimes called the Court of Oceans, the opinion is likely to influence how other international and national courts address the growing dangers posed by greenhouse gases that cause ocean w...