Global Governance Flashcards
What is the concept of global commons?
The rights of all to the benefits of the global commons
The rights of all people to sustainable development, must also acknowledge the need to protect the global commons
What are the global commons?
Areas that aren’t owned by one place or organisation, owned by everyone
What are the pressures on global commons?
- Industrialisation and development- increasing demand for resources
- New technology- increased access
- Waste
What are the problems at the global commons?
• Over fishing (taking more fish than is sustainable)
- affects food chain and damages coral reefs
• Atmospheric pollution
- causes climate change
• Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere
- acidification of oceans
How do we protect the global commons?
- Any use and development of the global commons must be sustainable
- This requires global co-operation
- The United Nations is the only universal and inclusive multilateral forum
What are the issues with current protection of global commons?
• Current protection frameworks are “complex and fractured”
• Large parts of the global commons are without regional agreements
-many agreements are outdated and don’t protect fully consider the impacts of human activities on the environment e.g. ecosystems
What is the definition of Antarctica?
The continent surrounding the South Pole
What is the Antarctic circle?
The line of latitude at 66° S, parallel to the equator
What is an ice shelf?
A sheet of ice which flats on the ocean but us attached to the land
What is the definition of the South Pole?
The furthest point south on Earth
What is the Antarctic Convergence?
The point at which colder Antarctic water meets warmer water to the north
What is the climate of Antarctica like?
• coldest, driest, windiest continent
- average temperature is -49°c
- most precipitation is frozen
- gales occur on more than 40 days a year (mean speed of over 30m/s)
• a desert (less than 250mm of precipitation a year)
- less than 166mm of precipitation a year at interior
- 200mm of precipitation a year at coast
How much of the Earth’s ice does Antarctic hold?
90%
How much of the Earth’s fresh water does Antarctic hold?
70%
How much of Antarctica is covered in ice?
99% (only northernmost part of Antarctic Peninsula)
What illustrates how hostile Antarctica is for wildlife?
Only 2 flowering plants that can grow there
How does its latitude affect Antarctica’s temperature?
Because it is between 60° and 90°S Sun hits at a low angle The solar radiation is spread out over a large area So it has less concentration More energy is lost And cooler temperatures
Why does Antarctic have very little wildlife?
• It is very hostile (especially the interior)
- cold temperatures
- little precipitation (desert so less than 250mm a year)
- little sunlight (due to its latitude)
Why is there lots of wildlife at the Antarctic Convergence?
Warmer waters meet cooler Antarctic water
Created milder, temperature waters
Lots of krill
Can support large food chain
How big is the continent of Antarctica?
It is the 5th largest continent (14 million km^2)
Where is the continent of Antarctica located?
- It is the southernmost continent
- It contains the geographical South Pole
- Almost entirely south of Antarctic circle
- Surrounded by the Southern Ocean
How does altitude affect temperature?
1°c decrease every 100m increase in altitude
How does the distance from the sea affect temperature?
Oceans have a large amount of water
Water has a high specific heat capacity
Oceans take a long time to heat up/cool down
In winter, oceans are warmer than land
Warm breezes from ocean blow onshore
Coastal areas have warmer temperatures in winter than interior
In summer, coastal areas have colder temperatures than interior
So less extreme range in temperatures
What is wind chill?
Wind blows away the warm layer of air emitted by your body
Makes you feel colder
Faster wind blows away heat quicker, so makes you feel even colder
Antarctica is very wind and has lots of gales
(gales can have average speeds of 30m/s)
