Antarctica: global governance Flashcards
How many nations are a part of the Antarctica Treaty System?
52
What is the Antarctica Treaty System?
an international agreement not to recognise, dispute, establish or allow future claims over Antarctica
What will the Antarctica Treaty System provide?
- guarantee free access and research rights for Antarctica to all countries
- prohibit military activity such as nuclear bomb tests
- ban the dumping of nuclear waste
What were the great threats to Antarctica in the early 1990s?
pressures were growing from countries wanting to exploit the underground mineral resources of Antarctica
What is NGOs?
Non-Governmental Organisations
How was the threat of mineral exploitation in Antarctica solved?
in 1991, 45 nations signed the Protocol Environmental Protection
What did the Protocol Environmental Protection provide?
- banned all mineral resource activity including exploration of the continental shelf
- promote monitoring and assessment in order to minimise human impacts to Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem
How did the Protocol Environmental Protection carry out an environmental impact assesment?
any planned activities to be assessed in advance with agreement required if significant risks are involved
How did the Protocol Environmental Protection protect the plants and animals?
- prevented the removal/ interference of native plants and animals
- prohibited the introduction of non-native species
- identifies and designates Specially Protected Species
How did the Protocol Environmental Protection control waste management?
- established rules for the storage and disposal of waste
-removed waste from past activities
How did the Protocol Environmental Protection control marine pollution?
- restricted the use of heavy fuels
- prohibited the discharge of oil in Antarctica Treaty Area
- defined rules for the discharge of sewage
How large is the Antarctica Treaty Area?
20 million KM^2
Give an example of an NGO that has worked to protect Antarctica?
WWF (World Wild Fund)
AOA (Antarctica Ocean Alliance)
What is the greatest impact of NGOs on Antarctica?
the spreading of awareness through social media and rallying public support
What is the International Whaling Commission (IWC)?
set up to monitor and conserve global whale stocks and oversee the whaling industry
When was the International Whaling Commission set up?
1949
What type of organisation is the International Whaling Commission and does it have any authority?
Voluntary with no authority to enforce its decisions and agreements
What is the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marin Living Resources (CCAMLR)?
establsihed with the objective of conserving Antarctic marine life in response to over exploitation of several marine resources in the 1960s and 1970s.
When was Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marin Living Resources set up?
1982
What marine species is a key part of the Antarctic ecosystem which is being heavily harvested?
Krill
Why are Krill in a high demand by humans?
provide animal feed and fish oil
Other than humans how else are Krill threatened?
climate change since it is affecting the number of phytoplankton which they feed on
Has there been any disagreements over the Antarctic Treaty System?
No, its one of the most successful international agreements
