Antarctica

Question 1

What physical factors make Antarctica a unique and special environment?

Answer 1

Holds 70% of the earth’s freshwater
Antarctic Convergence Zone - natural boundary separating 2 distinct hydrological regions - distinct climate and wildlife. 🌊

• feeding ground for 80% of the worlds great whales 🐳

Question 2

What physical factors make Antarctica very important?

Answer 2

70% global freshwater
Antarctica convergence zone - separate 2 distinct hydrological regions.
Feeding ground for 80% of the world’s great whales.

Question 3

What threats are apparent in Antarctica?

Answer 3

Whaling and fishing,
Climate change and ocean acidification
Mineral exploration and extraction
Tourism

Question 4

Outline whaling and fishing

Answer 4

Commercial hunting of whales
1910 - 50% of the worlds catch

Question 5

What action has been taken against whaling?
Successful?

Answer 5

International whaling commission (IWC)
Moratorium on commercial whaling in 1986

Whales in southern ocean are currently protected but Japan is lobbying against this.

Question 6

What extent is the threat of climate change and ocean acidification

Answer 6

Greatest long term threat
Experienced air temperature increases of 3 degrees.
Krill populations at risk. Base on Antarctic food chain

Question 7

What has been done to address the threat posed by mineral exploration and extraction

Answer 7

Antarctic treaty - AT - 1961
Antarctic treaty system - ATS - 1980s
Madrid protocol - 1991 - 2048

Question 8

75%

Answer 8

Percentage required to lift the mining moratorium.

Question 9

What that is posed by tourism?

Answer 9

Oil spills, environmental degradation
Antarctic tourism - risen to over 100,000 a year.

Question 10

What has been done to minútate the impact of tourism?

Answer 10

500 passengers allowed to land
100 passengers Max allowed on shore
IAATO - rules and regulations.

Question 11

What shows that IAATO regulations may not be working

Answer 11

10/200 landing sites are showing signs of damage.

Question 12

How many countries have now signed the AT?

Answer 12

57

Question 13

What international conservation organisations work in Antarctica?

Answer 13

IUCN
ASOC

Question 14

What criticisms are there about the ATS?

Answer 14

Rich man’s club - not all have equal voices

Question 15

What is a limitation of the intergovernmental whaling commission

Answer 15

Voluntary body
No authority to enforce decisions or agreements

Question 16

What are the limitations and successes of NGOs

Answer 16

Don’t have ability to make legislative changes
Multi scalar power - initiate strong civilian response.

Question 17

When did the IWC place a ban on whaling for commercial purposes?

Answer 17

1985-6

Question 18

What shows the success of the ATS?

Answer 18

No major issues.
Countries were allowed to call for a review conference after 30 years but no one did.