Global Governance: Anatarctica

Question 1

Location

Answer 1

• mostly in the south of Antarctic circle, except from parts of East Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula.
  -the Antarctic circle is located 66.5 degrees south of the equator.
• 98% covered in ice and 2% being rock.
• Antarctic peninsula: northern part of mainland Antarctica: 70km wide, mountains located all along it.

Question 2

Physical geography

Answer 2

• polar desert: temperatures -50°c and -90°c
• annual wind speed 50mph
• low precipitation, lower than 50mm annually
• diverse marine ecosystems surrounding Antarctica

Question 3

Human geography

Answer 3

• only continent with no permanent human habitations.
• research stations across Antarctica belonging to different countries.
• tourism available: between 2009-2010 3700 people visited

Question 4

Threats to Antarctica

Answer 4

Whaling:
- 19th century: blue whales
- many whale species were endangered and population dramatically declined due to overkilling.
- international whaling commission (IWC) was established in 1964: ended most whaling
- 1994 IWC established 50 million km squared surrounding Antarctica where all types of commercial whaling was banned: japan opposed.

Fishing:
- Russians exploit southern ocean for species.
- number of fish taken is a concern: especially krill.
- commercial fishing: threat to marine ecosystems: ships and fishing gear: waste dumped: contaminates ocean
- krill: base to food web: loss affects other species: rich in omega 3: fishing for krill has disrupted food chain.

Climate change:
- global warming melts polar ice caps
- increasing sea levels
- penguins may not survive in warmer conditions

Mineral:
- mining has been banned by the Antarctic treaty.
- future demands for resources may put pressure on mineral in Antarctica

Tourism and scientific research:
- usually span between November to march
- come in expeditions, around 50-100 people.
- sites can only be visited very 3 days so impact is small.
- issues: freshwater demand, stress to penguins because of helicopters, few ice free locations.

Question 5

Managing threats: Antarctic treaty 1959

Answer 5

• between 12 nations
• research rights, scientific research together.
• one of the most successful international agreements.

Question 6

Managing threats: Antarctic treaty 1991

Answer 6

• negotiated by the UN
• protection for environment, specifically against mineral exploration.
• it wasn’t adopted due to mining wanting to be continued

Question 7

Managing threats: NGOs in Antarctica

Answer 7

• 30 NGOs e.g wwf and greenpeace
• focuses on: managing southern oceans fisheries, regulating tourism, mitigating impacts of climate change.