Antartica Case Study Flashcards
How big is Antarctica
14 million km sqaured
Is Antarctica technically a desert
Yes, as all the water is frozen and doesn’t receive rain, only snow due to the freezing temperatures
Does Antarctica hold natural resources
Antarctica holds rich marine life, fossil fuels and minerals. Large stores of oil.
What are the main 4 threats to Antarctica
Climate Change, Fishing and Whaling, Mineral/resources exploitation and tourism and scientific research
How is climate change threatening Antarctica
Warmer seas and atmospheric temperatures cause huge ice sheets to melt and collapse into the ocean. This rises global sea level as water exits its store and back into the ocean. This links to global flooding.
Reduced albedo effect - more solar radiation is absorbed and temperatures rise further
Higher chance of native Antarctica species affected
How is fishing and whaling threatening Antarctica
It is under threat from unsustainable fishing, such as krill fishing which is vital in the food chain. This causes widescale damage to the habitat
Whaling and sealing are also huge threats, they began as far back as the 18th century, although there are currently bans on also all whaling. Whale populations are still reduced and at endangered levels as they are slow breeders and this represents the ling term damage as a consequence
How is mineral and resource exploitation affecting Antarctica
All mining in Antarctica is currently banned, however, the looming fossil fuel crises come ever closer as stores deplete. Due to Antarctica being rich in such resource the threat level to its exploitation are high.
Oil drilling would disrupt the habitats and would harm the fragile environment beyond repair.
Increased risk of oil spills which would kill millions of fish and the oil would take years to clean up
Further contributions to climate change
How is tourism and scientific research affecting Antarctica
Growing demand for ‘extreme tourism’ as over 37,00 people visited Antarctica 2009-2010. Incxreased risk of oil spills of ships travel too and from frequently. Scaring and possibly domesticating wildlife to human interaction. Bring rubbish etc which is slow to decay.
MS explorer crash in 2007 is an example of what can happen
What is the International whaling commission
They enforce regulations based on, ‘The international convention for the regulation of Whaling in 1946’
What is a global common
It is an area that does not belong to a single country. It doesn’t have sovienty and rather is shared. Everyone has the right to benefit from the global commons
What type of regulation for the international whaling commission enforce (the whaling moratorium)
Catch limits, Working with scientific committees to study whales
Conservation work, also providing funds. They have banned all whaling since 1982 (other than norway/iceland)
Issues whith the international whaling commitee
Members can opt out of the IWC freely, and they will face no penalties for leaving. COuntries can object and not abide by the regulations (norway and iceland) however, they still get information form them.
Japan found loopholes in the regulation and continued whaling in Antarctica waters for ‘scientific research’
What is the antarctic Treaty
56 Partites, The antarctic should only be used for peaceful means. It can be used for scientific research. All stations/operatiosn can be inspected at anytime. Antartic is not a territory and rather a global common - nuclear activity is also banned - signed in 1959
Issues with the antarctic treaty
The treaty is not mandatory, inspections do not occur often.
What treaty protects the Antarctic from the exploitation of its resources
The protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
What does the environmental protection to the antarctic treaty contain
Bans all activities relating to mineral resources, also ads regulations on waste management and marine pollution
What is IS CCAMLR
the Convention of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
What do CCAMLR do
They are responsive for researching, monitoring, and the conservation of the southern ocean
What is ASOC and what do they do
Their aims is to convince NGOs not to exploit the mineral resources in Antartica, the conduct campaigns and programs to help with this,
What has the IWC done in response to whaling
- Banned all commercial whaling since 1982
- Introduced a southern ocean whale sanctuary (in 1994)
How does the southern ocean whale sancturay benefit the whales
Allows a safe space for the whales to faciliatate the recoverty of the species
How does the southern ocean whale sancturay benefit others
Allows for ecotourism to visit the whales which has economic benefits
What is the madrid protocol
The protocol on environmental protection fpr the antartic treaty that prohibits the extraction of natural reserves
What is the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources?
An international convention with the objective of conserving Antarctic marine life, in response to increasing commercial interest in krill (very important in food chain)
