The Exlpoitation Of The Arctic

Question 1

What has led to significant industrial developments in the Arctic?

Answer 1

Oil and gas exploration

Question 2

What American state has large reserves of oil and gas?

Answer 2

Alaska

Question 3

When did drilling for oil in the Arctic begin?

Answer 3

In the early 1900s but this was in a piecemeal fashion

Question 4

The discovery of the Prudhoe Bay oilfield saw oil exploitation take off in the Antarctic, when was this?

Answer 4

1967

Question 5

Name two facts about Prudhoe Bay

Answer 5

1. It is the largest oil field in North America

2. It has supplied 20% of America’s oil for the last 30 years

Question 6

Why are the Prudhoe Bay oilfields so important to the USA politically?

Answer 6

Global oil prices are rising as well as energy insecurity

Question 7

What was constructed between Prudhoe Bay and the ice free port of Valdez? (What’s in Valdez)

Answer 7

The trams-Alaskan pipeline (there’s a large oil refinery in Valdez)

Question 8

Name the adaptations of the trans-Alaskan pipeline

Answer 8

1. 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
2. It is raised so it doesn’t interrupt the migration patterns of the Caribou
3. It zig-zags to avoid breaking during earthquakes or by frost heave

Question 9

Name some facts about the Exxon Valdez disaster

Answer 9

1. March 1989
2. Ran aground on the Bligh reef in prince William sound, Alaska
3. It was travelling outside normal shipping lanes to avoid ice
4. Spilled approx 10.9 million gallons of oil
5. The oil slick created by this was over 1100 miles long

Question 10

What do utilidors do?

Answer 10

They carry water heating and waste pipes to prevent permafrost melting

Question 11

Why are buildings raised above the ground in the Arctic?

Answer 11

To prevent thermokarst (selective melting of permafrost)

Question 12

What is Alberta, Canada being proposed to be used as?

Answer 12

A distribution centre for a gas line that will run there from northern Alaska

Question 13

What are the issues with the proposed gas pipeline?

Answer 13

The buildings for the workforce and factories required to maintain gas flow, may adversely affect the environment, disturbing Caribou herds

Question 14

What has increased as oil supplies in Prudhoe Bay begin to decline?

Answer 14

Pressure to develop alternative sites in the region

Question 15

In 1923 what was established?

Answer 15

The National Petroleum Reserve Alaska NPRA

Question 16

When is the NPRA only to be developed upon?

Answer 16

An emergency

Question 17

What do conservationists think about developments on the NPRA?

Answer 17

They argue that as it’s an extensive wetlands it shouldn’t be built upon as it has large populations of endangered species

Question 18

How many Caribou live and migrate through the NPRA?

Answer 18

Almost 50,000, the largest herd in Alaska

Question 19

What was the ANWR set up to do?

Answer 19

‘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’

Question 20

Where is there now pressure to drill for oil in the ANWR?

Answer 20

The 1002 lands

Question 21

Who is for drilling in the 1002 lands and who is against it?

Answer 21

For: most Alaskan government officials and oil companies

Against: environmental organisations and the indigenous people such as the Gwitchin

Question 22

What are the arguments for drilling in the 1002 lands?

Answer 22

1. The USA’s increasing dependence on imports
2. Treasury revenues enchanted by billions
3. 250,000 new jobs
4. 75% of Alaska’s inhabitants support it
5. Claims that development in Prudhoe Bay hasn’t affected wildlife

Question 23

What are the arguments against drilling in the 1002 lands?

Answer 23

1. ANWR is some of the last true wilderness in the USA
2. Coastal plain home to the Porcupine Caribou
3. Caribou are important to the indigenous people’s way of life
4. Claims 2000km^2 of tundra has been turned into industrial zone with over 2000km of pipes and over 60 contaminated waste zones

Question 24

What else has the Arctic been use for by humans?

Answer 24

Mining, HEP and nuclear testing grounds (USSR)

Question 25

What is becoming increasingly popular in the Arctic?

Answer 25

Adventure tourism

Question 26

What has led to decreases in Arctic fish stocks such as cod?

Answer 26

Over-exploitation

Question 27

Where is the greatest development pressure in the Arctic and what is it?

Answer 27

Northern Scandinavia, for:

holiday cabin resorts
Roads
Mining (copper+iron in northern Sweden)
HEP
Wind farms

Question 28

What has come under pressure due to the development pressure in Northern Scandinavia? Give some statistics about this

Answer 28

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%