Antarctica Flashcards
which SDG links to overfishing?
14 Life below water
what SDG links to tourism?
12 Responsible consumption and production
what SDG links to scientific research?
15 life on land
what SDG links to whaling?
14 life below water
what SDG links to climate change?
13 climate action
what SDG links to mineral extraction?
15 life on land
how many tonnes of krill are caught on average each year?
100 000
why is there large amounts of krill present in the southern ocean?
cold water holds more krill as there is more carbon
what type of fish is largely overfished?
Patagonian Toothfish
what is the overfishing referred to as?
illegal, unregulated and unreported
in what year was the IWC moratorium introduced?
1986
by what fraction has the meltwater from the Antarctic increased global sea levels since 1993?
1/3
what is an issue with the Madrid Protocol?
it is only until 2048
what are the threats to Antarctica?
overfishing, tourism, scientific research, whaling, climate change and mineral extraction
what divides the west and east ice sheets?
transatlantic mountains
what creates high levels of marine productivity and why?
Antarctic convergence zone (cold northward flowing waters from the Antarctic meet with warmer sub-Antarctic waters)
—> this causes upwelling due to cold water sinking
what IGO’s protect Antarctica?
ATS
IWC
UNDP/UNEP: SDGs
what NGO’s protect Antarctica?
CCAMLR
ASOC
IAATO
what are the main roles of CCAMLR?
- ecosystem based management approach
- work alongside scientists and fishing industry
- improve fishing financially and environmentally
- lowered seabird deaths (weighted nets/ better hooks)
- anti IUU
how many members in CCAMLR?
25 members + 11 agreeing
efficacy of CCAMLR?
(-) very small scale
(+) work alongside UN - global reach?
what are the main roles of ASOC?
- only one working full time
- preserve Antarctic continent and surrounding southern ocean
- creates marine protected areas
- negotiation of legally binding Polar code
efficacy of ASOC?
(-)(+) coalition: different stakeholders but could lead to disagreement which reduces ability to take meaningful action
(-) non legally binding
(-)(+) cover all threats, but could limit efficacy
how many members in ASOC?
coalition of over 15 NGOs
what is the role of the IAATO?
- promote the practice of safe and environmentally responsible private sector travel
- voluntary members
- established extensive procedures and guidelines
how many members of IAATO?
100 Antarctica tour operators
efficacy of IAATO?
(+) meet at least once a year
(-) industry based: self preservation/ interest
(-) not all tour members are part of it
(+) over 100 members
why is overfishing a threat?
- IUU
- e.g Patagonian toothfish or krill
- began in 1970s as large scale trawler fleets
- creates extensive imbalance within the ecosystem and extinction
why is tourism a threat?
- wealthy pay around £20 000 to visit on holiday
- lack of education = damage and pollution
- increased pollution from planes
- visit the ‘Antarctic Peninsula’ which is warming the fastest
why is scientific research a threat?
- can introduce bacteria e.g Lake Vostok
- pristine environment
- no way of controlling / monitoring scientists work
- pollutants through drilling
- scientific research allows country to move into quarternary sector and core of core-periphery model
- only few countries have resources for this : reinforces inequality on gini-coefficient
why is whaling a threat?
- was the initial reason for exploration
- Japan and Norway continue through ‘scientific reasons’ (one whale = $1mn market value in restaurant)
- global impact as whales migrate during seasons
- long term impact as generation time is 31 years (blue whales) so will take a long time to recover
in what year did the IWC suspend commercial whaling in the moratorium?
1986
why is climate change a threat?
- largest ice sheet in the world
- meltwater caused by rising temps is responsible for 1/3 of global average SL rise since 1993
- if ice shelf melts, ice sheet no longer held back
- creates exposure of minerals: possibility of exploration in future
- effects are irreversible
why is mineral extraction a threat?
- Madrid Protocol only bans this until 2048
- becoming economically viable due to increasing temps exposing land
- will exacerbate climate change
what is the ATS?
- it bans military action and prevents higher income countries from exploiting
- scientific testing encouraged
- 53 members
- Madrid Protocol: environmental protection and prevention of exploitation
evaluation of ATS?
(+) legally binding
(+) combats global climate change
(+) landmark at height of cold war so is the true definition of global governance
(+) covers all threats
(-) only 53 members
(-) doesn’t protect the oceans
what is the purpose of the IWC?
- 88 members
- protect against whaling and sealing
- introduced whaling moratorium: suspended all commercial whaling, commissioned in 1982 but implemented in 1986
- legally binding
