Global commons Flashcards
What is a global common?
Areas that aren’t owned by any one country or organisation.
What are the 4 global commons?
-Antarctica
-High seas
-Earths atmosphere
-Outer space
How do NGOs govern the commons?
They protect the commons from exploitation as they offer unique habitats and are valuable for scientific investigation.
What governs the global commons?
Different pieces of international law.
What pressures do global commons have?
-Countries and organisation may try to exploit the commons
-Industrialisation and population growth has led to an increase in the demand for resources.
-New technology means it’s easier to get to commons making them more vulnerable.
How do the pressures of the global commons cause problems for the planet as a whole?
-High seas is a victim of over fishing having knock on effects on other animals in the food chain.
-Atmospheric pollution causes climate change.
-Increased carbon dioxide causes acidification of the sea.
What odd required to protect the global commons?
Global cooperation
What is the example for global commons?
Antarctica
How much of the earths ice does Antarctica contain?
90%
Describe the weather in Antarctica?
Very cold with little sunshine
How do the conditions in Antarctica affect it?
Lack of warmth and sunlight means that the eco system is very fragile and easily damaged.
What is the Antarctic convergence?
The point at which Cole Antarctica water meets warm water in the north.
What is the wildlife like at the Antarctic convergence?
Peeling off nutrient rich cold water attracts phytoplankton which provide food for krill forming the basis of the food chain.
Theresa abundant sea life and birds like penguins survive on the sea life.
Why is the Antarctic marine ecosystem fragile?
If the population of one species decline it affects other species.
How does climate change impact the Antarctic?
-3 degree temperature rise has caused ice shelves to melt and retreat changing the environment.
-Melting sea ice has caused rustic sea level rise of 3mm
How has climate changed affected the wildlife of the Antarctic?
-Penguins need ice causing Adelie penguin populations to decline.
-Krill depend on the ice for their environment and have declined by 80%
-Many aquatic animals eat sea life do their population has declined too.
How has climate change cause ocean acidification?
When carbon dioxide in the air reacts with saltwater it creates a carbonic acid that depletes calcium carbonate soo animals cannot form their shells.
How has over fishing threatened species?
Antarctic krill are the most fished creatures and reduced populations have knock on effects that eat them.
Why is over fishing difficult to monitor?
There are legal limits on fishing but a lot of illegal fishing takes place.
Describe the overfishing in the Antarctic of whales?
Why will this take a long time to recover?
Common in the 20th century but has declined since due to regulations.
Whales are slow breeders so it will take a long time for populations to fully recover.
How has search for minerals threatened Antarctica?
There are large reserves of oil underneath the southern ocean and underground deposits of coal and iron.
Mining is illegal but future demand may damage the environment.
How is tourism a threat to the Antarctic?
-Increases shipping and air travel to Antarctica cause water and air pollution.
-Tourists can disturb breeding colonies of birds and trampling damages fragile vegetation.
How is Antarctica threatened by research facilities?
Research bases to live while conducting environmental research has created a lot of waste that has been burned or dumped in the sea.
What law protects the Antarctic?
Antarctic treaty
How many countries have signed the Antarctic treaty?
53
What are 3 rules in the Antarctic treaty?
-Antarctic should only be used for peaceful reasons
-Countries should cooperate on research
-Antarctic will remain a global common
What does the Antarctic treaty ban?
-Mining
-Unsustainable waste disposal
-Protects animals and plants
What is the system to ensure countries abide by the rules?
No system if there are disputes then they are encouraged to negotiate.
What institutions govern Antarctica?
-International whaling commission
-United national environment programme
How do the IWC govern Antarctica?
-Responsible for regulating whaling and ensuring whale populations are at a sustainable level.
-They set up a whale sanctuary
They have been criticised for not properly monitoring the number of whales. As Japan still kill large numbers of whales for scientific research despite the ruling.
How do UNEP govern Antarctica?
Responsible for reporting unsafe environmental practices in Antarctica to the UN.
-aim to stop illegal fishing to protect the Antarctic ecosystem.
What role do NGOs have in Antarctica?
Monitor possible threats and protect the environment. As they aren’t a representative of a specific country they observe whether other countries are sticking to the laws.
What is the main NGO involved in Antarctica?
Antarctic and Southern ocean coalition (ASOC)
What do ASOC do in Antarctica?
-Protect the environment by highlighting countries that are exploiting it.
-Monitors the effects of climate change.
