[Seminar Dr. Johan Horst] Seminar zu aktuellen Fragen des Völkerrechts
Modulzuordnung:
BA-IB-FVR
MA-IB-SVR
Seminar "Regulating the end of the world. Biodiversity Loss (Regulating Biodiversity during the 6th Mass extinction) – Climate Change (Regulating the climate beyond 2°C) – Artificial Intelligence (Regulating AI in the face of doomsday scenarios)"
Regulating the End of the World: Biodiversity Loss, Climate Change, and Artificial Intelligence
The discourse on the theory and practice of international law has recently shifted towards scenarios of existential crises – from the accelerating loss of biodiversity and the looming climate emergency to the rapid development of artificial intelligence. These challenges are not only ecological or technological; they also test the democratic, rule‑based character of the international order. In this seminar we will explore these crises scenarios on a theoretical as well as doctrinal level, focusing on three areas of international law:
I. Biodiversity Loss: Regulating Life in the 6th Mass Extinction
International biodiversity law is faced with the human-induced 6th event of mass extinction. This existential threat to biodiversity and life on planet earth has brought to light several controversial regulatory issues, such as gene-drives, de-extinction, rewilding, and the regulation of invasives alien species. Furthermore, this crisis has also led to a reevaluation of the basic legal framework of biodiversity protection and its theoretical and philosophical foundations.
II. Climate Change: Regulating a World Warming beyond 1,5 °C
The 1,5° C target formulated in the Paris Agreement, has been a pillar of international climate law. Recent scientific studies, however, have raised serious concerns as to whether this target is still attainable at least under the current regulatory framework. The theory and practice of international climate law have therefore seen a gradual shift towards planning for a world that exceeds 1,5° C. This is epitomized by adaptation plans in countries for 3° C warming and an intensified debate on new and risky technologies such as climate engineering. At the same time scholars are increasingly turning to private law instruments as a tool to mitigate climate change and several courts have issued famous climate judgments.
III. Artificial Intelligence: Regulating AI in the Face of Doomsday Scenarios
Most recently the question of whether uncontrollable AI poses an existential threat to humanity has gained much attention due to calls from senior executives and researchers at leading U.S. AI firms for a moratorium on AI development. These warnings are, however, sometimes rooted in contested ideologies such as Longtermism. This makes it hard to evaluate whether and to what extent international law can and should play a role in mitigating the risks associated with AI.
In this seminar we want to engage with these doctrinal and theoretical challenges concerning existential threats posed by biodiversity loss, climate change and AI development. The seminar aims to provide an open-plenary environment, where students can collectively think through controversial issues, and maybe identify some positive examples that can inform future regulations.
List of Seminar Topics:
(topics can be selected by more than one person, students are also welcome to propose their own topics)
I. Theory
1. End of the World Narratives as States of Exception
2. The Concept of Planetary Boundaries as a Tool to Regulate the End of the World
3. Perspectives of Indigenous Peoples and Legal Pluralism
4. Reform of Revolution: is there a Role for the United Nations?
5. What about Democracy? The Interaction of Democratic Backsliding and Ecological Crises
II. Biodiversity Loss: Regulating Biodiversity during the 6th Mass extinction
6. Biodiversity as a Legal Concept: History, Doctrine, Critique
7. Reform of revolution: is the current Biodiversity Law adequate?
8. Regulating Gene-Drives: Modifying Life?
9. Regulating De-Extinction
10. Regulating Rewilding
11. Regulating Invasive Alien Species: Beyond Eradication?
12. Co-existence with large Predators and Megaherbivores?
13. Using the Courts: The new Wave of Biodiversity Litigation
III. Climate Change: Regulating a World Warming beyond 1,5 °C
14. Is 1,5° C Target still viable?
15. Reform of Revolution: is the current Legal Framework of Climate protection up to the Task?
16. Planning for 3°C: The French 3e Plan national d'adaptation au changement climatique.
17. Regulating Geo-Engineering I: Solar Radiation Modification
18. Regulating Geo-Engineering II: Carbon Dioxide Removal
19. Using the Courts: The Role of Climate Litigation a Critical Assessment
IV. Artificial Intelligence: Regulating AI in the Face of Doomsday Scenarios
20. The Politics of AI Doomsday Scenarios: A Critical Analysis of Longtermism in Law.
21. Reform of Revolution: is the current Legal Framework in International Law sufficient?
22. Doomsday Scenarios and EU AI Regulation
23. The Role of Courts in Regulating Existential AI Risks
The seminar will take place on January 22-23, 2027 (the exact schedule will depend on the final number of participants).
A preliminary meeting will take place on October 14, from 11:10 to 12:40 p.m. (3rd DS) in Room ABS 04-009. Please contact me via email, if you cannot attend this meeting.
Registration:
Registration for the seminar and assignment of topics via OPAL will open on Wednesday, October 14 at 15:00 p.m. and close on Monday, October 19, 2026, 23:59 p.m. A waiting list is available. Double allocation of topics is possible.
OPAL course: https://bildungsportal.sachsen.de/opal/auth/RepositoryEntry/56135483394
EXPECTED PERFORMANCE
A detailed outline (no more than two pages) of the paper must be submitted by Friday, November 27, 2026, at the latest to the following email address: johan.horst@tu-dresden.de. Timely submission is mandatory for continued participation in the seminar.
During the block seminar, the previous research findings and theses will be presented orally. The length of the presentation is approximately 20 minutes. Approximately 40 minutes are allowed for the subsequent discussion.
Participants must submit their seminar papers (18-20 pages, excluding the table of contents and bibliography, Times New Roman, font size 12, line spacing 1.5, footnotes: font size 10, single spacing) as pdf-documents via email to Johan Horst (johan.horst@tu-dresden.de) until January 18, 2027.