gsgg- Antarctica

Question 1

geography of antarctica

Answer 1

• 98 percent ice
  -surrounded by southern ocean
  -temps reach -60 in winter
  -only 16 cm of rain per year

Question 2

Antarctic convergence zone

Answer 2

-warm water meets cold water
-the meeting of water creates a productive ecosystem

Question 3

climate change as a threat to Antarctica

Answer 3

• warms at a rate 5 x higher than the rest of the world
• temp increased by 3 degrees in the last 30 years
  -plants grow changing ecosystem
  -ocean acidification

Question 4

whaling and fishing as a threat to Antarctica

Answer 4

-1930s Antarctic fur seal almost extinct
-5 percent of blue whales we had in 1911

Question 5

tourism as a threat to Antarctica

Answer 5

-1990s 5000 per year, 2014 44,000
- last chance rush
- brings waste and pollution
-brings invasive species

Question 6

mining as a threat to Antarctica

Answer 6

• large mineral deposits
• oil in southern ocean

Question 7

IWC

Answer 7

• International whaling commission
  -regulate whaling
  -pause on commercial whaling 1982

Question 8

The Antarctic treaty

Answer 8

-195
-all states share sovereignty
- no military activity
- share research
-reducing threat of tragedy of the commons

Question 9

The Madrid protocol

Answer 9

-1991
-bans mining
-protects environment

Question 10

Paris climate change agreement

Answer 10

-2016
-reduce climate change by 2 degrees

Question 11

Action against tourism

Answer 11

-1991
-rules and regulations given
- waste must be brought back
-number limits

Question 12

Greenpeace

Answer 12

-representatives at IWC
-Want to ban whaling
-violent