Global Commons Antarctica

Question 1

Define global common

What are the four global commons?

Answer 1

An area that isn't owned by any one country 
Antarctica 
High seas
Atmosphere 
Space

Question 2

Other than international law who else governs global commons

Answer 2

NGOs e.g. Greenpeace

Question 3

Why are global commons under threat?

Answer 3

Some feel as though they can exploit the global commons without meeting any consequences
Global resource demand e.g. For oil is increasing
Climate change

Question 4

What is essential in the effort to protect global commons? Give an example

Answer 4

Global cooperation

E.g. Russia and Norway cooperation over north east arctic cod

Question 5

Describe the geography of Antarctica as a global common

Answer 5

The common stretches up to the antarctic convergence in the southern ocean
14million km2 of protected land
70% of the worlds fresh water stored here
Average temperature is -49 degrees

Question 6

Describe the Antarctic eco systems

Answer 6

Heavily adapted very vulnerable lichens on land

Lots of phytoplankton and krill which all other marine life depends on

Question 7

What are the 4 threats to Antarctica?

Answer 7

Climate change
Fishing and whaling
Mineral searches
Science / tourism

Question 8

Describe the threats posed to antarctica from climate change

Answer 8

50 years seen a 3 degree rise in temperature
80% decrease in antarctic krill - huge damage elsewhere in food chain
Ice shelves retreating which removes habitat for Adelie penguins
+ve feedback of destabilised ice shelves
Ocean acidification i.e. Carbonic acid

Question 9

Describe the threat of fishing and whaling on Antarctica

Answer 9

Over fishing of the patagonian tooth fish
200,000 tonnes of krill removed
Lots of illegal fishing despite international laws
Whales and other species caught in fishing nets
Although in 1982 whaling banned, still occurs for “scientific purposes”

Question 10

Describe the threat of mineral exploitation

Answer 10

Large stores of coal and iron ore
When demand increase may become exploited
With new tech may become economically viable to mine here

Question 11

What are the threats from Tourism and research on Antarctica?

Answer 11

More flights = more pollution and more oil spills
Tourists disturb breeding populations
And trample lichen
Infrastructure built for scientific research

Question 12

Describe the antarctic treaty

Answer 12

1959
53 countries agreed to
Use only for peaceful purposes e.g. No weapons testing
Cooperative scientific research
No country has an individual claim
Any country can inspect any other country

Question 13

What are the problems with the antarctic treaty?

Answer 13

No system is in place to ensure people stick to the rules

Different countries have different opinions e.g. Russia has blocked protection on marine preservation

Question 14

Describe the UNs role in the global common of Antarctica

Answer 14

CCAMLR Commission for the conservation of antarctic marine living resources
Works to stop illegal fishing
but other countries have their own interests - around the ross ice shelf no change been seen in fishing quotas

Question 15

Describe the role of the IWC as a global institution on protecting Antarctica

Answer 15

International whaling commission
Regulates whaling
1994- saw parts of the Antarctic convergence being a whale sanctuary but is heavily criticised for not working hard enough to ensure the rules are enforced

Question 16

Describe the international debate over whaling in Antarctica

Answer 16

Japan vs USA

Usa said whaling boats need to be registered with the IWC but japan states that the IWC doesnt have the power

Question 17

When was the international whaling moratorium issued? what does it do? Who criticises it?

Answer 17

1982
Ban on commercial whaling
And has seen whale populations rise since (slowly as a slow breeding organism)
But greenpeace has critized the efforts to maintain the rules

Question 18

What is the benefit of NGO involvement in Antarctica?

Answer 18

NGOs arent bound to countries and therefore are less open to bias and more likely to stick to the rules

Question 19

Give an example of an NGO within Antarctica and explain its role

Answer 19

ASOC
Antarctic and southern ocean coalition
Set up when countries were planning to make mining legal
In 1978 idea was to increase transparency of the Antarctic treaty
Monitors who is sticking to the rules e.g. Southern ocean whale sanctuary
It also works with other NGOs to help reduce the effects of climate change

Question 20

Give ways in which the Antarctic global governance effects us all

Answer 20

Climate change - Antarctic research helps reduce global climate change
Fishing quotas - limit economic growth of some countries may make fish in UK more expensive
Pooling of resources - scientific advancements as the countries work more closely together
Tourism - allows people to become stewards