Antarctica (and knowledge test part 2)

Question 1

Antarctic convergence zone:

Answer 1

Warmer sub-Antarctic and colder Antarctic water’s meet > upwelling of warm water returns nutrients to the surface > increased photosynthesis > high primary productivity

Question 2

Antarctic circumpolar current:

Answer 2

Surface current which flows eastward around Antarctica and blocks warmer waters travelling south

Question 3

Isostatic depression:

Answer 3

Sinking of crust into the asthenosphere due to heavy weight of glacial ice.

Question 4

Why is the antarctic convergence zone important?

Answer 4

Creates a zone of high primary productivity by returning unusable nutrients to the surface [1].

Question 5

What is the Precipitation?

Answer 5

low - less than 50mm per year.

Question 6

Katabatic winds:

Answer 6

strong downhill flowing winds (highlands radiate heat and cool > more dense)

Question 7

What is the temperature like?

Answer 7

Low (average -49C)

Question 8

What are the benefits/not damages of tourism?

Answer 8

Raise awareness of need for conservation (Scott Polar Research Institute)

it is expensive and generally tourists do little damage > research suggests seals and penguins not affected

95% of landing sites are not damaged

Question 9

What are the damages of tourism?

Answer 9

pollution - MV Explorer sinking and oil spills; Mount Erebus Air Crash

evidence breeding sites of birds near Antarctic bases disturbed

potential sources of damage: waste (slow decomposition)

Question 10

Why is tourism one of the best ways to protect Antarctica?

Answer 10

Raise awareness of need for conservation (Scott Polar Research Institute)

Question 11

What are the threats that climate change pose to Antarctica?

Give evidence

Answer 11

Western sea ice shrinking (+3C)

changing sea ice conditions > changes distribution of penguin colonies > adelie/emperor down and chinstrap up

less sea ice > less under ice shelf algae > declining Krill numbers (down 80% since 1970s)

sea level rise (globally up 3mm since 1990)

ocean acidification > damage to plankton/marine snails > impact on food web

Question 12

What are the threats that fishing and whaling pose to Antarctica?

(Give evidence)

Answer 12

Whales decreased from 275, 000 prior to 19th century > 2000 1964

whaling has slowed due to IWC/IWM but does still continue

long-line fishing > species such as Patagonian toothfish endangered

depletion of Krill

Question 13

Give 3 reasons why Antarctica may be more at risk from the search for minerals in the future?

Answer 13

increasing population/development > increased demand

technological advances

melting sea ice increasing accessibility

> making mining economically viable.

Question 14

What is the International convention for the regulation of Whaling?

Answer 14

complete protection of certain whale species; designated areas as whale sanctuaries in Southern ocean; limits on numbers and size of whales.

Question 15

What is the International Whaling Moratorium ?

Answer 15

ban on commercial whaling.

Question 16

What are the strengths of the moratorium?

Answer 16

decreased levels of whaling

allowed whale stocks to recover/preventing extinction

increased the social and political costs of whaling

Question 17

What are the weaknesses of the moratorium?

Answer 17

agreements on the moratorium require a majority vote (¾) (equal pro/con members so unlikely)

voluntary - can exempt yourself by lodging a complaint: Russia objected; Norway/Iceland continue to whale

loophole of scientific whaling exploited (Japan’s use of lethal methods - was approx. 1000 per year prior to tsunami)

aboriginal hunting continues in US (not commercial)

IWC doesn’t inspect of register whaling boasts so difficult to monitor

unclear if the southern ocean ecosystem will return to conditions prior to whaling

no monitoring of whale numbers by the IWC makes it difficult to truly estimate impact

Question 18

What is the Antarctic treaty system?

Answer 18

should be used for peaceful purposes; should cooperate on/share scientific research; remain a global common

Question 19

What are the positives of the ATS?

Answer 19

Set aside territorial claims

successful disarmament regime

Question 20

What are the negatives of the ATS?

Answer 20

freezes territorial claims but doesn’t negate them

consensus needed so slow (failure to implement Antarctic Marine reserves)

bio-prospecting

growing superpowers ignore agreed regulations

no enforcement/policing system (need to take to ICJ)

no permanent population so each base is subject to governments on legal system

Question 21

What is the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition?

Answer 21

group of 30 NGOs.

Question 22

What are the strengths of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition?

Answer 22

campaigned to make Antarctic Treaty meetings more transparent

monitor environmental changes e.g. krill and whaling population levels

blocked the convention for the regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resources (would have allowed mining)

raise awareness of environmental issues e.g. ‘Krill gotten gains’ - Greenpeace [1]; campaigned to ensure enforcement e.g. Australia taking Japan to court

no bias e.g. in exploiting areas

essential to ensuring the success of international agreements

Question 23

What are the negatives of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition?

Answer 23

cannot make a direct impact

more difficult to gain international governments attention

Question 24

What is the Protocol on Environmental protection to the Antarctic Treaty?

Answer 24

nature reserve; all activities must have an environmental impact assessment; bans mining

Question 25

What are the strengths of the Protocol on Environmental protection to the Antarctic Treaty?

Answer 25

protects the global common for damage

prevents the tragedy of commons - mining

Question 26

What are the negatives of the Protocol on Environmental protection to the Antarctic Treaty?

Answer 26

ban on mining prohibition in 2048 could be overturned (if 75% of parties agree) [

environmental audits are mainly of bases onland and not those in maritime areas [1]

Question 27

Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resources:

Answer 27

an agreement to manage the exploitation and development of Antarctica’s non-renewable resources - did not pass [1].

Question 28

International Association of Tour Operators:

Answer 28

self-regulates tourism in Antarctica e.g. guidelines: limite numbers of visitors taken ashore; encourage conservation talks; prohibits leaving waste

Question 29

What is the United Nations Environment Programme:

Answer 29

UN agency governings the world’s environment reports Antarctic activity to the UN

Question 30

What are the strengths of the United Nations Environment Programme:

Answer 30

discuss questions of Antarctica on a global scale

Question 31

What are the negatives of the United Nations Environment Programme:

Answer 31

relies on voluntary donations

part of the general assembly so lacks decision making/direct impact

relies on environment ministers who lack political clout

Question 32

International laws:

Answer 32

legally binding rules established through international agreements

Question 33

International norms:

Answer 33

accepted standards of behaviour

Question 34

International institutions:

Answer 34

political and legal organisations that pass laws/discuss issues/disputes on an international scale e.g. UN and WTO.

Question 35

Give 5 environmental impacts of increasing interdependence and globalisation?

Answer 35

increased pressure on finite resources/depletion of non-renewables

increased transportation (greenhouse effect)

outsourcing to countries with less strict environmental standards

more waste e.g. due to increased packaging from trade

IMF forced spending cuts reduced environmental spending

higher risk of invasive species

Question 36

What are the positive social impacts of increasing interdependence and globalisation?

Answer 36

Greater access to foreign culture

increased awareness of global events

Question 37

What are the negative social impacts of increasing interdependence and globalisation?

Answer 37

loss of cultural diversity

spread of propaganda

Question 38

Where are the apple headquarters?

Answer 38

Apple Campus, Cupertino, California.