Antarctica ( global commons example)

Question 1

What are Antarctica’s geographical features

Answer 1

-on the Atlantic convergence zone , area 50-60 degrees south latitude where nutrient rich Antarctic water sinks under the warmer water of the northern ocean

• Nunataks are where mountain peaks above glacier

Question 2

4 THREATS to Antarctica

Answer 2

-overfishing Patagonian toothfish , food chain sperm whales and elephant seals

-climate change and ozone depletion

-tourism and scientific research , dispose of waste 3 ways, burn , throw in the sea or leave and ignore

-whaling , only allowed for scientific , aboriginal and in some cases commercially

Question 3

What is IWC and 3 things they do

Answer 3

-IWC which is an NGO, established in 1946
they

-set quotas

-prevent capture of some specified species

-In 1994,they established the Southern ocean whale sanctuary which is 50km squared and bans all commercial whaling but Japan still does “scientific research”

Question 4

2 Issues with IWC

Answer 4

-They lack authority which is shown by Japan’s continued endeavours in commercial whaling in the area

-it does not protect other areas that the whales come from e.g Norway and Iceland

Question 5

what is the Antarctic treaty

Answer 5

signed in 1961 , 53 signed
ensures no military activity takes place on Antarctica , only used for peaceful or scientific purposes

Question 6

what are 3 Successes and 3 failures of the Antarctic treaty

Answer 6

Success
-mitigated military action
-preserved area against tourism
-nations come to an agreement over new regulations

unsuccessful

-could cause conflict as countries disagree with the majority
-only a 50 year ban on mineral extraction
-overfishing still happens

it is an example of total protection