Antarctica Flashcards
1
Q
Where is Antarctica located?
A
Southern continent in the world, containing the South Pole and 14 million km sqaured
2
Q
What is the climate and environment like in Antarctica
A
- Coldest planet on Earth, with temperatures of -40 degrees Celsius
- Receives 400mm - 600mm of precipitation a year
- Winds in Antarctica are 60-70 mph
- Southern Ocean has lots of marine
3
Q
What are natural resources in Antarcitca?
A
- Antarctica has lots of fossil fuels
- Large reserves of oil in the Southern Ocean
4
Q
Why is Antarcitca vulnerable?
A
- Antarctica is vulnerable due to the demand of resources
- The climate is fragile and adapted to the environment, meaning a change is devastating to the ecosystem
- Antarctica is vulnerable to climate change, meaning the global commons should consider Co2 emissions and global warming
5
Q
What are the threats to Antarctica?
A
- Climate change
- Fishing and whaling
- Mining
- Tourism and scientific research
6
Q
Why is climate change a threat to Antarctica?
A
- Warmer sea and atmospheric temperatures melt ice sheets, causing sea levels to rise, causing flooding.
- Animals and plants have declined due to warmer temperatures. This affects the food chain.
- Co2 released into the atmosphere stored in ice sheets, causing high global temperatures, enhancing global warming.
- Albedo effect - ice reflects solar radiation back to the atmosphere is reduced with less ice sheets, more heat absorbed by oceans. This causes temperatures to rise, positive feedback loop.
7
Q
Why is fishing and whaling a threat to Antarctica?
A
- Unsustainable fishing disrupts tje food chain by removing krill. Krill is the most fished with 150-200,000 tonnes fished annually
- Whaling - Whaling began in the 18th century, with bans on whaling, but a declining whale population leading to long-term damage.
8
Q
What does sustainable mean?
A
Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
9
Q
Why is mining a threat to Antarctica?
A
- Oil exploitation disrupts habitats through drilling and pipelines
- Oil spills, as the ecosystem cannot remove oil quickly, causing long term damage
- Mineral exploitation through mining, affecting wildlife
- Fossil fuels contribute to global warming
10
Q
Why is tourism and scientific research a threat to Antarctica?
A
- Tourism is a growing industry due to the demand. Over 37,000 tourists visit Antarctica by air and sea, threatening Antarctica by ships by fossil fuels
- Less sea ice and more cruise shiops affect the environment
- Tourists scare wildlife. They disrupt the food chain
- Scientific research brings equipment and facilities
11
Q
How is Antarctica governed?
A
- UN
- International whaling commision (IWC)
12
Q
How does the UN govern Antarctica?
A
- UN is important in protecting Antarctica through laws and regulations
- The UN has little protection of Antarctica
- UN organisation with Antarctica is the UN environment programme (UNEP). The organisation has little impact. UNEP attends ATP meetings, but the goals leave out Antarctica
13
Q
What is the international whaling commission (IWC)?
A
- Set up under the international convention for the regulation of whaling in 1946.
- The IWC enforces regulations with 86 member states; all regulations over whaling in the Southern Ocean.
14
Q
What is the role of the IWC?
A
- Set ‘Catch limits’ to regulate whaling
- Scientific committee to research whaling
- Conservation work through meetings
15
Q
What is an example of the IWC?
A
- Introduced the whaling moratorium in 1982, banning all commercial whaling. Norway and Iceland cotinued whaling allowed by IWC
- The IWC’s scientific committee created the revised management procedure for catch limits using research
- In 1994, a Southern Ocean whale sanctuary was made, banning all commercial whaling in the area
- International observer scheme, allowing countries to observe other countries to make sure they are following IWC regulations
