The Exlpoitation Of The Arctic Flashcards
What has led to significant industrial developments in the Arctic?
Oil and gas exploration
What American state has large reserves of oil and gas?
Alaska
When did drilling for oil in the Arctic begin?
In the early 1900s but this was in a piecemeal fashion
The discovery of the Prudhoe Bay oilfield saw oil exploitation take off in the Antarctic, when was this?
1967
Name two facts about Prudhoe Bay
- It is the largest oil field in North America
2. It has supplied 20% of America’s oil for the last 30 years
Why are the Prudhoe Bay oilfields so important to the USA politically?
Global oil prices are rising as well as energy insecurity
What was constructed between Prudhoe Bay and the ice free port of Valdez? (What’s in Valdez)
The trams-Alaskan pipeline (there’s a large oil refinery in Valdez)
Name the adaptations of the trans-Alaskan pipeline
- Built on insulated legs so the warmed oil wouldn’t melt the permafrost on the ground which would cause the pipeline to sink and break
- It is raised so it doesn’t interrupt the migration patterns of the Caribou
- It zig-zags to avoid breaking during earthquakes or by frost heave
Name some facts about the Exxon Valdez disaster
- March 1989
- Ran aground on the Bligh reef in prince William sound, Alaska
- It was travelling outside normal shipping lanes to avoid ice
- Spilled approx 10.9 million gallons of oil
- The oil slick created by this was over 1100 miles long
What do utilidors do?
They carry water heating and waste pipes to prevent permafrost melting
Why are buildings raised above the ground in the Arctic?
To prevent thermokarst (selective melting of permafrost)
What is Alberta, Canada being proposed to be used as?
A distribution centre for a gas line that will run there from northern Alaska
What are the issues with the proposed gas pipeline?
The buildings for the workforce and factories required to maintain gas flow, may adversely affect the environment, disturbing Caribou herds
What has increased as oil supplies in Prudhoe Bay begin to decline?
Pressure to develop alternative sites in the region
In 1923 what was established?
The National Petroleum Reserve Alaska NPRA
When is the NPRA only to be developed upon?
An emergency
What do conservationists think about developments on the NPRA?
They argue that as it’s an extensive wetlands it shouldn’t be built upon as it has large populations of endangered species
How many Caribou live and migrate through the NPRA?
Almost 50,000, the largest herd in Alaska
What was the ANWR set up to do?
‘Preserve unique wildlife wilderness and recreational values; to conserve Caribou herds, polar bears, grizzly bears, musk ox, wolves, wolverines, snow geese, peregrine falcons, other migratory birds and grayling; to fulfil international treaty obligations; to provide opportunities for continued subsistence uses; and to ensure necessary water quality and quantity’
Where is there now pressure to drill for oil in the ANWR?
The 1002 lands
Who is for drilling in the 1002 lands and who is against it?
For: most Alaskan government officials and oil companies
Against: environmental organisations and the indigenous people such as the Gwitchin
What are the arguments for drilling in the 1002 lands?
- The USA’s increasing dependence on imports
- Treasury revenues enchanted by billions
- 250,000 new jobs
- 75% of Alaska’s inhabitants support it
- Claims that development in Prudhoe Bay hasn’t affected wildlife
What are the arguments against drilling in the 1002 lands?
- ANWR is some of the last true wilderness in the USA
- Coastal plain home to the Porcupine Caribou
- Caribou are important to the indigenous people’s way of life
- Claims 2000km^2 of tundra has been turned into industrial zone with over 2000km of pipes and over 60 contaminated waste zones
What else has the Arctic been use for by humans?
Mining, HEP and nuclear testing grounds (USSR)
What is becoming increasingly popular in the Arctic?
Adventure tourism
What has led to decreases in Arctic fish stocks such as cod?
Over-exploitation
Where is the greatest development pressure in the Arctic and what is it?
Northern Scandinavia, for:
holiday cabin resorts Roads Mining (copper+iron in northern Sweden) HEP Wind farms
What has come under pressure due to the development pressure in Northern Scandinavia? Give some statistics about this
The access for the Sami reindeer to their grazing areas
35% of their grazing lands has been affected, by 2050 this may be as much as 78%
