3.2 Protecting Antarctica Flashcards
Give an overview of the things which protect Antarctica
Adaptation and Resilience
Governmental mitigation
NGO and SCAR mitigation
Define Adaptation
An adjustment in the structure of an organism/system to enable better survival in a changed environment
Define Resilience
The amount of disturbance an ecosystem can withstand without changing.
For example, the ability to recover from shock events or ongoing change, and is closely linked to adaptation
Define mitigation
Strategies undertaken to stop a changing environment
What kind of species are the most resistant to shock events
Endemic species
Give examples with context, of an Antarctic animal which has adapted
Emperor penguins
Average depth of 200m
Dense double layer of feathers
Large fat reserves
However, there has been a 50% decline in certain colonies due to climate change
Give examples with context, of an Antarctic animal which were resilient
Adélie penguin
In 2001, an iceberg the size of Jamaica carved off the Ross Ice shelf, forcing them to move 70km north. However, once here, there was an abundance of krill, and they have actually increased 20%
What are the threats to penguins in Antarctica
Overfishing and Climate change…
1. Increased natural shock events like ‘scouring’
2. Increased sea temperatures effect sea ice
3. Ocean acidification
What is the main remedy for international governance in Antarctica
The Antarctic Treaty
(ATS, Madrid, IWC)
One of the most successful international agreements
Why was the Antarctic treaty made
In the 1950’s, permanent and territorial positions were asserted on the continent, but not agreed, creating tensions between scientists.
It was initially made to resolve these disputes and establish development guidelines
When was the Antarctic treaty signed
In 1959, sovereignty had been solved, and 12 nations signed the treaty, allowing it to come into place 1961
Give examples of the Antarctic treaty’s 14 articles
- It is to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes (no military etc)
- Freedom of scientific research, as long as research is freely available, and they give notice to expeditions
- Inspection of any activity
- Dispute settlement procedure
What did the Antarctic treaty develop into and how many members does it now have
The Antarctic treaty system (ATS) hosted by the ATCM
It has 46 signatures, as any UN member is allowed to accede
What does the AT system comprise of
Complexity of arrangements to regulate relationships between nations, while also controlling their antarctic actives
What did the ATS add to the antarctic treaty, and what has this expanded the 14 articles to
- The Madrid Protocol
- The conservation of marine living resources and Antarctic seals
- Allows NGO’s and SCAR to input
The articles now also include the protection of the environment, historical sites, tourism and logistics
What is the Madrid Protocol and why was it signed
It is the protocol on environmental protection, and began official negotiation in 1991, due to concerns about the Mineral Protocol
It was ratified in 1998, will be reviewed every 50 years, only if 75% of members agree
What does the Madrid protocol propose
- Designated the area as natural reserve
- Increased the system for inspections, and elaborates on any reliability
What is the system for inspection of the Madrid protocol
All personal in Antarctica are under their own nations jurisdiction, and it is their responsibility to implement the rules. The Madrid protocol made this regime more rigorous through…
- Designated ATCM observers
- Environmental audits
- Inspections stretched to all (ships etc)
When was the IWC established and why
The IWC was established in 1946, to provide the conservation of whale stocks.
They limited the amount of stock which can be taken, of certain species, in special areas and made sure that catch records must be produced
When was the IWC Moratorium established and why
The Moratorium put a stop on all commercial whaling in 1982, to allow stocks to replenish.
Japan, Norway, Iceland and Russia objected and get around the rules via claiming “research” or sticking to North Atlantic zones
When was the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary developed
In 1994
It is 50million km^2 of sea designated to protecting whale life
What is the main remedy for non- international governance in Antarctica
ASOC and SCAR
Who are ASOC and what were their initial goals
In 1978, 30 NGO’s who formed a coalition to strengthen their political power such as Green peace, WWF and Friends of Earth
Their initial goals were to stop the mineral convention and open up the ATS to include NGOS’s and SCAR (success in 1991)
What are ASOC’s current goals
- Strengthen the Southern Ocean Whale sanctuary
- Manage Southern Ocean fisheries
- Mitigate Climate change/tourism
Who are SCAR and what do they do
Their role is to initiate, develop and coordinate scientific research, in a holistic manner
They then use this research as an advisory capacity within the ATCM, IPCC and UNFCCC, to make scientific recommendations for a wide range of issues
What have the ATS gained from SCAR
Advise on the protection of ecology
