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Human Geography: Global Governance + Systems > Case Study: Antarctica > Flashcards

Case Study: Antarctica Flashcards

1
Q

What does Antarctica store?

A

60% of the worlds fresh water

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2
Q

How does the continent change in winter?

A

It doubles in size

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3
Q

When was Antarctica discovered?

A

By 1821, by sealers

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4
Q

When was the heroic exploration of Antarctica?

A

1895-1922

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5
Q

What is an ice sheet?

A

Results from small inputs of snow and frost (exceeding ablation rates) over a very long time

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6
Q

What is ablation?

A

The opposite of accumulation, refers to all processes that remove snow, ice and water from the glacier or snowfield

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7
Q

What is a nunataks?

A

An exposed, rock element of a ridge, mountain or peak not covered by snow or ice within or at the edge of an ice field or glacier.
Also known as GLACIAL ISLANDS

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8
Q

What is the Antarctic convergence zone?

A

A natural boundary separating 2 distinct hydrological regions/ areas of distinct climate

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9
Q

Why do Antarctic waters freeze at such low temperatures?

A

Because they are so salty

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10
Q

What happens at the Antarctic convergence zone?

A

Warm surface water and cold Antarctic water meet

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11
Q

What is global thermohaline circulation?

A

When water moves along gradients

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12
Q

How does water have a tendency to move?

A

From warm to colder areas

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13
Q

How much of the land is ice free?

A

Less that 5%

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14
Q

what do mean winters range from?

A

-9 to -68 degrees C

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15
Q

What are claims of Antarctica land founded on?

A
  • Discovery and explorations of areas
  • Proximity to Antarctica
  • Seeking control of natural resources
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16
Q

When was the Antarctica Treaty created?

A

1959

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17
Q

How many countries have now signed the treaty?

A

46

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18
Q

What are the main intentions of the treaty?

A

-Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only
-Antarctica should be a site of scientific investigation
-No nation would be obligated to surrender its claim, and no new claim could be made

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19
Q

What does the environmental protocol of the treaty state?

A
  • Commits the parties to comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment
  • Designated Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science
  • Bans all commercial mineral resource activity
  • Requires assessment of impacts of any activities
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20
Q

when will the environment protocol be revised?

A

2048

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21
Q

How many environmental NGOs work in coalition to protect Antarctica?

A

Over 1000

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22
Q

What 4 human activities threaten Antarctica?

A
  • Scientific research
  • Mineral exploitation
  • Fisheries + whaling
  • Tourism
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23
Q

How many permanent scientific bases exist on Antarctica?

A

40

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24
Q

How can scientific research threaten the environment?

A

In 1989, an Argentine ship ran around and released 25,000 gallons of fuel into the sea. Similar events have occurred at Russians and US bases

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25
Q

Where have coal seams been discovered?

A

Along coastline and in the mountains

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26
Q

Why has activity at coal seams so far been deterred?

A

It isn’t commercially viable, but may be needed for future demand

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27
Q

Where has a great potential for oil?

A

The Weddel and Ross seas, on the continental shelf

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28
Q

How many barrels of oil are estimated to be in the Weddel and Ross seas?

A

50 billion

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29
Q

What is the only large scale exploitation in Antarctica?

A

Fishing

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30
Q

What are the impacts of fishing in Antarctica?

A
  • Over-fishing of target species
  • Effects on species that depend on target species
  • Killing of other species accidentally caught
  • Destruction of habitat by equipment
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31
Q

what is the biggest species of concern in Antarctic fisheries?

A

Krill

32
Q

Why are krill such an important species?

A

they feed on phytoplankton, and are then eaten by a wide range of species

33
Q

what has declined due to the over fishing of krill?

A

the decline in some penguin

34
Q

Why is krill being fished?

A

It is used to feed salmon farms and their enzymes have pharmaceutical uses

35
Q

What is CCAMLR?

A

Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

36
Q

What do CCAMLR do?

A

Control the commercial fisheries in the Southern Ocean, taking into account the species being fished and their prey and predator species. They monitor all fishing in the region

37
Q

What must all vessels in the CCAMLR region participate in?

A

Monitoring systems to report krill catches

38
Q

Why are pharmaceutical companies interest in Antarctic species?

A

For their anti-freeze protein in their blood, and for how fish slow their heartbeat to save energy in cold environments

39
Q

Who banned whaling in the Antarctic?

A

the International Whaling Commission

40
Q

What is the limit of viability?

A

The amount of meltwater an ice shelf can take before it begins to weaken and retreat

41
Q

What area does the Antarctic Treaty apply to?

A

60 degrees south

42
Q

What does the Treaty apply to?

A

the seas

43
Q

When was the Whaling Moratorium introduced?

A

1982

44
Q

How were whales previously hunted?

A

Using harpoons and specialist whaling boats

45
Q

What did Greenpeace do for Antarctic whales?

A

they launched an anti-whaling campaign shortly after the organisation formed, and Greenpeace ships began confronting whaling fleets

46
Q

Which countries ignore the moratorium?

A

Japan
Iceland
Norway

47
Q

How many whales does Japan hunt each year for “research”?

A

300

48
Q

How much money can 1 whale make?

A

$1 million

49
Q

When was the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary set up?

A

1994

50
Q

Who set up the Southern Ocean Whale sanctuary

A

The International Whaling Commission

51
Q

What is the aim of the whale sanctuary?

A

To benefit the long term conservation of whales

52
Q

How does the whale sanctuary benefit whales?

A

By facilitating recovery of depleted whale populations by protecting important areas

53
Q

How does the whale sanctuary benefit surrounding nations economically?

A

Provides economic benefits to range of states by providing opportunities to develop non-lethal economic use of ecotourism and whale watching

54
Q

How has scientific whaling changed over the years?

A

It has increased

55
Q

What is the Madrid Protocol?

A

The protocol on environmental protection for the Antarctic treaty, protects natural reserves

56
Q

How successful has the Madrid protocol been?

A

Mining is prohibited and minerals are protected, so the environment is preserved, and toxic chemical are prohibited from being discharges into the sea

57
Q

Why is the Madrid protocol needed?

A

To provide comprehensive protection for the environment after Russian bases were dumping waste

58
Q

How many parties have agreed to the Madrid Protocol?

A

34, with a further 11 signed but not ratified

59
Q

What is the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals?

A

A convention for promoting and achieving the protection, scientific study and rational use of seals

60
Q

When did the seal convention come into place?

A

1978
After seals were killed by clubbing for their pelts, young seals wanted

61
Q

What has happened since the seal convention came into place?

A

Seal populations have recovered, proof that’s CCAS is a successful international agreement

62
Q

why is the seal convention needed?

A

To recognise that the stocks of Antarctic seals are an important living resource and should not be exploited and depleated

63
Q

How many parties have agreed to the seal convention?

A

17

64
Q

What is the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources?

A

An international convention with the objectives of conserving Antarctic marine life, in response to increasing commercial interest in krill

65
Q

When was the Conservation of Marine Living resources brought in?

A

1982
The same year as the whaling ban

66
Q

How successful has CCAMLR been?

A

seabird mortality has been reduced, protected areas have been established, vulnerable ecosystems managed and challenges of illegal fishing addressed

67
Q

Why was CCAMLR set up?

A

Because there was increasing commercial interest in krill

68
Q

Who enforces CCAMLR?

A

All vessels are monitored and the policy is implemented by all 25 countries

69
Q

What is ASOC?

A

Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition

70
Q

Who does ASOC represent?

A

Brings together more than 30 groups so has a wide scope, includes WWF and Wildlife Organisations

71
Q

Why was ASOC set up?

A

A US lawyer exposed a secret minerals framework for Antarctica

72
Q

What categories are ASOC’s current works split into?

A
  • Environmental
  • Protection
  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Antarctic
  • Governance
73
Q

How does ASOC plan to tackle Antarctic climate change issues?

A

Through public advocacy, promoting adaptation strategies, and climate science

74
Q

What do ASOC seek in terms of protection?

A

the highest possible level of environmental protection for the Antarctic region and for all wildlife

75
Q

Which area do ASOC want to be protected?

A

The Ross Sea and areas for species such as Minkle whales and krill

76
Q

How important is ASOC’s work in the Ross Sea?

A

It is striving for it to be a Marine Protected Area and maintaining its diversity and abundant marine life. Almost untouched as it was thousands of years ago, preserved

Human Geography: Global Governance + Systems (1 decks)

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