3.2 Protecting Antarctica

Question 1

Give an overview of the things which protect Antarctica

Answer 1

Adaptation and Resilience
Governmental mitigation
NGO and SCAR mitigation

Question 2

Define Adaptation

Answer 2

An adjustment in the structure of an organism/system to enable better survival in a changed environment

Question 3

Define Resilience

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Define mitigation

Answer 4

Strategies undertaken to stop a changing environment

Question 5

What kind of species are the most resistant to shock events

Answer 5

Endemic species

Question 6

Give examples with context, of an Antarctic animal which has adapted

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Give examples with context, of an Antarctic animal which were resilient

Answer 7

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%

Question 8

What are the threats to penguins in Antarctica

Answer 8

Overfishing and Climate change…
1. Increased natural shock events like ‘scouring’
2. Increased sea temperatures effect sea ice
3. Ocean acidification

Question 9

What is the main remedy for international governance in Antarctica

Answer 9

The Antarctic Treaty
(ATS, Madrid, IWC)

One of the most successful international agreements

Question 10

Why was the Antarctic treaty made

Answer 10

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

Question 11

When was the Antarctic treaty signed

Answer 11

In 1959, sovereignty had been solved, and 12 nations signed the treaty, allowing it to come into place 1961

Question 12

Give examples of the Antarctic treaty’s 14 articles

Answer 12

1. It is to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes (no military etc)
2. Freedom of scientific research, as long as research is freely available, and they give notice to expeditions
3. Inspection of any activity
4. Dispute settlement procedure

Question 13

What did the Antarctic treaty develop into and how many members does it now have

Answer 13

The Antarctic treaty system (ATS) hosted by the ATCM

It has 46 signatures, as any UN member is allowed to accede

Question 14

What does the AT system comprise of

Answer 14

Complexity of arrangements to regulate relationships between nations, while also controlling their antarctic actives

Question 15

What did the ATS add to the antarctic treaty, and what has this expanded the 14 articles to

Answer 15

1. The Madrid Protocol
2. The conservation of marine living resources and Antarctic seals
3. Allows NGO’s and SCAR to input

The articles now also include the protection of the environment, historical sites, tourism and logistics

Question 16

What is the Madrid Protocol and why was it signed

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What does the Madrid protocol propose

Answer 17

1. Designated the area as natural reserve
2. Increased the system for inspections, and elaborates on any reliability

Question 18

What is the system for inspection of the Madrid protocol

Answer 18

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…

1. Designated ATCM observers
2. Environmental audits
3. Inspections stretched to all (ships etc)

Question 19

When was the IWC established and why

Answer 19

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

Question 20

When was the IWC Moratorium established and why

Answer 20

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

Question 21

When was the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary developed

Answer 21

In 1994

It is 50million km^2 of sea designated to protecting whale life

Question 22

What is the main remedy for non- international governance in Antarctica

Answer 22

ASOC and SCAR

Question 23

Who are ASOC and what were their initial goals

Answer 23

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)

Question 24

What are ASOC’s current goals

Answer 24

1. Strengthen the Southern Ocean Whale sanctuary
2. Manage Southern Ocean fisheries
3. Mitigate Climate change/tourism

Question 25

Who are SCAR and what do they do

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What have the ATS gained from SCAR

Answer 26

Advise on the protection of ecology