Antarctica Flashcards
Major Threats
Fishing and Whaling
Climate Change
Mining
Tourism
Whaling Detail
Whaling was highly profitable - but overkilling occurred causing for it to become a no longer viable business
IWC protected whales in 1986 but caused tensions with Japan, Norway and Iceland
Climate Change Detail - Sea Level Rise
Melting contributed 4% to global sea level rise
Collapse of Thwaites Glacier (West) could cause 0.5m sea level rise alone
West Antarctica’s solid land mostly below sea level - Major Risk
Mining Detail
Never been commercial mining in Antarctica
But threat due to diminishing resources globally could lead to global governments starting to try and mine on Antarctica
Tourism Detail
500 allowed at time
If not managed correctly, could be severe damage and environment around Antarctica and its ecosystem
Global Management Systems of Antarctica - Global Scale
The UN - International Laws
NGOs, eg: Greenpeace, ASOC - Environmental Management:
Reporting of Issues
Releasing Findings to Public (spread awareness and boost donations)
Creating petitions
Lobbying and campaigning for change
Fishing Detail
Fishing replaced whaling in 1960s - Russian Exploitation
High risk of overfishing
Climate Change Detail - Temperature Increases
Sea Temp Increase by 1 Degree
Air Temp Antarctica Increase by 5 Degrees
Global Management Systems of Antarctica - Antarctic Treaty System
Comprised of 12 member states, 16 consultative parties and a number of NGOs
Advocates Antarctica for:
Peace + Scientific Research
With Research Sharing, Notice and Clear Communication - Consensus Basis
Climate Change Detail - Feedback Loop Example (1 negative, 1 positive)
Positive - Sea levels rising - Could cause ice on land of Antarctica to fall in sea
Negative - Carbon in ice fall into sea and absorbed by phytoplankton, algae etc, reducing atmospheric carbon and reducing ice melting
Global Management Systems of Antarctica - CCAMLO
Major Role in:
Environmental Protection
Management of Conservation
Area Protection
Tourism
Global Management Systems of Antarctica - Madrid Protocol
Antarctica as a Natural Reserve
Establishes Environmental Principles, eg: Bans Mining
Requires Research Assessments