Global Commons + Antarctica Flashcards
How much of earths surface is divided into soveign states
1/3
What are 4 global commons
Ocean
Atmosphere
Northern and southern polar regions
Outer space
What is the tradgeyof commons
Countries feelings they can exploit the global commons without dealing with the consequences
Pressures on the commons (5)
Tragedy of the commons
Industrialisation + development
New technology = accessible
Overfishing
Atmospheric pollution - CO2
Who wants global commons protected
WWF
What is the name of treaty and its aims - sea (2)
High seas treaty
Aims to put 30% of seas into protected areas by 2030
What % of worlds marine species were at risk of distinction
10%
High seas treaty = limits on what (3)
How much fishing
Routes of shipping lanes
Exploration activities e.g. deep sea mining
Antarctica physical geography (3)
Contains 90% of all ice on Earth + 70% of the Earth’s fresh water
99% land area covered by ice
It has no native (indigenous) population
Climate of Antarctica (3)
Coldest
Driest
Windiest
Avergae temp of Antarctica
-49°C
Percipitation in Antarctica (2)
200mm
Interior = 166mm
What is the Atlantic Convergence
A natural boundary in the Southern Ocean where cold Antarctic water meets the warmer water to the north
The mixing and upwelling of water creates this
4 main threats to Antarctica (4)
CC
Fishing + whaling
Minerals
Tourism and research
How much have temps risen in past 50y
3°C
How much have global sea levels risen becuase of melting sea ice
3mm a year since 1990
How does CC effect penguins
Adelie have declined and chinstraps are more adaptive
What wiped out in Antarctica by 1800
Fur seals of South Georgia – later South Shetland Isles
How does overfishing effect ecosystems (2)
Antarctic Krill are the most fished creature and in 2013 = 200 000 tonnes were fished
Knock-on-effect on larger fish, marine mammals and birds
Why don’t legal limits help fishing
Not easy to monitor
When + why whaling decline
1982 international whaling commission banned all commercial whaling
What country has started whaling
Japan
Which mineral deposits (3)
Coal
Oil
Gold + silver
Pro elms with mining in A (3)
Not easy to reach
Not economically viable
Would have to overcome hostile environment
What prohibits mining in A
Protocol on environmental protection to Antarctica treaty
Why transport occur in. A
Advances in transport, technology and transport
Attractions in A (3)
Physical isolation
Unspoilt landscapes
Remarkable wildlife
How many visitors a year
75000
Negatives of tourism (4+)
Breeding happens during peak thrust time nov-march = can disturb breeding colonies of birds
Tourism increases shipping and air travel which leads to water and air pollution
Accidental introduction of invasive species
Risk of boats grounding/hitting icebergs = November 2007 cruise ship struck ice and sank
What invasive species bought to A
Mediterranean mussels = these may alter food webs and ecosystems
Evidence tourism is ok (3)
Tour operators can only reach a small portion of Antarctica’s land and ice shelf
Only 10 out of 200 landing sites show signs of wear and tear
Tourism is financially exclusive = visitors tend to be responsible, well-educated and environmentally aware
Antarctica treaty system - tourism (3)
one ship at a time landing
Limiting number of tourists ashore and time ashore
Toilet waste is barrelled and transported home
How many scientists? How many stations? What do they do? (2/4)
4 000
50 stations Fund climatic + meteorological + biological geophysical and oceanographic research
List 2 issues linked to the research (2)
The works requires lots of facilities = roads + bases + places to store fuel
Until 1980s waste was burned, thrown into sea or dumped
What does the research show? Links to Water and Carbon Cycles (2)
Antarctic research has provided the clearest link between levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and global surface temperatures
Ice core drilling gives information about past climatic conditions which can be revealed and interpreted
Is Antarctica a nation state
No
How many countries have territorial claim
7
ATS how many + when
1950
56
3 rules of ATS (3++)
Antarctica should only be used for peaceful reasons = no army bases or weapons
Countries should cooperate on scientific research = share plans, researchers and results
Should remain in the global commons = individual countries cannot make a claim to it
Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty - when + other name + what (3)
1991
Madrid protocol
To protect the fragile environment
Rules of Madrid P. (4)
Protects plants, animals, regulates waste disposal and prevents pollution
Countries have to reach a consensus over all decisions - Madrid P. = impact
Tackling problems = slow + difficult
When is Madrid P done
2048
United National Environment Programme - what
The main institution governing the world’s environment
What is CCAMLR + limits (3)
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
Individual countries protect their own interests
Took 5 years for it to negotiate the creation of a marine protected area in the Ross Sea
International whaling commission when did it set up what + what + bad
Regulating whaling at a sustainable level
Set up Southern Ocean whale sanctuary in 1994
Not monitoring number of whales properly
Whaling moratorium when did it ban whaling globally
1982
failure of moratorium (2+)
Greenpeace = the Whaling Moratorium is poorly enforced
Countries like Japan have continued to kill large numbers of Antarctic whales for ‘scientific research’ despite the ruling
Success of moratorium
Whale pop in Antarctica have increased
Good about NGOs in. A
They don’t act on behalf of a country
So can call international attention to any countries that are not keeping to the laws governing Antarctica
The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition ASOC - when, by who and why
1978
Group of NGOs who were concerned that countries were planning to make it legal to search for oil, gas and minerals in A
ASOC successful (3+)
It monitors environmental changes in Antarctica
Checks if countries are sticking to the rules
Example = protecting the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary from attempts to re-establish commercial whaling and ensuring that krill populations are sustainable
How does ASOC MONITOR CC (2)
Checks melting ice, and sea levels
It campaigns with other NGOs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Limitations of governance in A (2)
Decision making within the ATS can be problematic = if a country feels strongly about an issue, it can stop a resolution from going forward
No legal penalties for violating agreement
Successes of governance in. A (3+)
Not had to have a review conference in 50 years
All have enjoyed peaceful cooperation + freedom of research contributing significantly to the protect of the global environment and our knowledge of our earth
ATS = one of the most successful sets of international agreements showing peaceful cooperation
How does monitoring CC effect daily life (3)
Using renewable energy sources, conserving electricity, using cars less
What does governance of Antarctica allow (2)
Greater scientific exploration
Tourists to visit safely and securely
