global commons

Question 1

antarctica - location and background

Answer 1

most in the antarctic circle - fringed by ice shelves
mountainous terrain covered in glacial ice that covers 97% of continent

Question 2

antarctic convergence zone

Answer 2

• upwelling currents are rich in marine productivity
• current blocks warmer water travelling south
• flows around antarctica in eastward direction blown by westerly winds

Question 3

climate in antarctica

Answer 3

high precipitation - jan
rain decreases after summer months and increase in winter months
- warmest is -5
colder and wetter in the summer

Question 4

factors affecting climate

Answer 4

latitude - areas close to the quator are hotter
altitude - 1 degree colder every 100m
wind direction - areas sheltered by mountains
albedo - snow reflect the heat and are colder areas
distance from sea - inland become warmer in summer, coast is cooler in summer

Question 5

antarctica as a global common

Answer 5

nations cant gain a share of the global common as its owned by everyone
- UN ensures the coordination and coherence of the global commons

Question 6

threats to antarctica listed

Answer 6

1. climate change
2. fishing
3. scientific research
4. tourism
5. mineral resources

Question 7

threats - climate change

Answer 7

impact of activities cause the climate to alter - ice is thickening, more heat and more evaporation
- ocean acidification
- southern ocea temps increased

Question 8

fishing

Answer 8

exploitation of fish, whales
-19thc of blue whales, recent demand of krill led to unsustainable fishing
- krill underpin the southern ocean food web

Question 9

scientific research

Answer 9

30 countries have research centres
- extreme fragile ecosystem, summer toruist seasons creates disturbance

Question 10

tourism

Answer 10

new infrastructure to accommodate visitors, vehicle
- fragile wildlife disturbed

Question 11

mineral resources

Answer 11

oil, coal and elements
- future demand leads to drain
- mining banned by treaty

Question 12

commision for conservation of antarctic marine living resources

Answer 12

• challenged illegal fishing
• southern shelf marine protected area
• managing vulnerable marine ecosystems
• reduction in species mortality due to fishing operations to almost

Question 13

protocol on environmental protection

Answer 13

• NGOs involved in campaigning
• 1991, 45 nations signed protocol
• bans all mineral resource activity
• promote monitoring to minimise human impact
• no interference of flora and fauna
• reduce marine pollution

Question 14

international whaling commission (IWC)

Answer 14

• conserve global whale stocks
• temporary prohibitation of an activity
• norway and iceland dont observe this
• sourthern ocean whale sanctuary: 50m km where commercial whaling is banned - opposed by japan

Question 15

antarctic treaty system

Answer 15

• 1959 12 nations signed the agreement to not claim sovereignty
• guarantees free access adn research rights to all countries
• prohibits military activity
• bans nuclear waste dumping

Question 16

role of NGO - sanctuary

Answer 16

put forward by EU and backed by greenpeace campaign - smaller sanctuary around ross sea which stops industrial scale krill fishing
- 24 national governments and EU are members of the commission for the conservation of antarctic marine living resources