The Global Commons Flashcards
What are the Global Commons?
Areas beyond national jurisdiction that are shared by all humanity.
Includes deep oceans, atmosphere, outer space, and Antarctica.
Why are the Global Commons important?
Provide essential resources (e.g., fish from oceans, clean air).
Support global ecosystems and climate stability.
Used for scientific research and international cooperation.
How are the Global Commons governed?
Governed by international treaties to prevent overuse.
Example: Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) protects Antarctica from exploitation.
What are the key physical characteristics of Antarctica?
Most southern continent, home to the geographic South Pole.
98% covered in ice, with an average thickness of 2km.
Extreme climate: Coldest, driest, and windiest place on Earth.
What is the Antarctic Convergence?
An oceanic boundary where cold Antarctic waters sink below warmer waters.
Creates unique ecosystems and affects global ocean currents.
How does climate change threaten Antarctica?
Rising temperatures melting ice sheets, especially in West Antarctica.
Antarctic Peninsula warming rapidly (+3°C in 50 years).
Cracks forming in major ice shelves (e.g., Ross Ice Shelf).
What are the issues with fishing and whaling in Antarctica?
Overfishing of species like krill and cod disrupts the food chain.
Whaling is banned under the International Whaling Moratorium (IWM).
Some nations (e.g., Japan, Norway, Iceland) continue whaling under loopholes.
What is the impact of tourism in Antarctica?
Over 55,000 tourists visit annually, mainly in summer.
Disturbs breeding wildlife and fragile ecosystems.
Regulated by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).
Why is mineral exploitation a concern in Antarctica?
Antarctica has valuable minerals (coal, oil, gas, rare metals).
Mining is banned under the Madrid Protocol until at least 2048.
Countries like China and Russia may push for earlier resource exploitation.
What is the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS)?
Signed in 1959 to protect Antarctica.
Bans military activity, nuclear testing, and territorial claims.
Allows only scientific research.
What is the Madrid Protocol?
Added to the ATS in 1998 to ban all mining.
Focuses on environmental protection and conservation.
What role do NGOs play in protecting Antarctica?
SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) monitors environmental changes.
ASOC (Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition) campaigns for stricter regulations.
How does the International Whaling Commission (IWC) regulate whaling?
Sets whaling quotas and establishes whale sanctuaries.
IWM (International Whaling Moratorium) bans commercial whaling, though some nations bypass it.
