Antarctica

Question 1

Major Threats

Answer 1

Fishing and Whaling
Climate Change
Mining
Tourism

Question 2

Whaling Detail

Answer 2

Whaling was highly profitable - but overkilling occurred causing for it to become a no longer viable business
IWC protected whales in 1986 but caused tensions with Japan, Norway and Iceland

Question 3

Climate Change Detail - Sea Level Rise

Answer 3

Melting contributed 4% to global sea level rise
Collapse of Thwaites Glacier (West) could cause 0.5m sea level rise alone
West Antarctica’s solid land mostly below sea level - Major Risk

Question 4

Mining Detail

Answer 4

Never been commercial mining in Antarctica
But threat due to diminishing resources globally could lead to global governments starting to try and mine on Antarctica

Question 5

Tourism Detail

Answer 5

500 allowed at time
If not managed correctly, could be severe damage and environment around Antarctica and its ecosystem

Question 6

Global Management Systems of Antarctica - Global Scale

Answer 6

The UN - International Laws
NGOs, eg: Greenpeace, ASOC - Environmental Management:
Reporting of Issues
Releasing Findings to Public (spread awareness and boost donations)
Creating petitions
Lobbying and campaigning for change

Question 7

Fishing Detail

Answer 7

Fishing replaced whaling in 1960s - Russian Exploitation
High risk of overfishing

Question 8

Climate Change Detail - Temperature Increases

Answer 8

Sea Temp Increase by 1 Degree
Air Temp Antarctica Increase by 5 Degrees

Question 9

Global Management Systems of Antarctica - Antarctic Treaty System

Answer 9

Comprised of 12 member states, 16 consultative parties and a number of NGOs

Advocates Antarctica for:
Peace + Scientific Research
With Research Sharing, Notice and Clear Communication - Consensus Basis

Question 10

Climate Change Detail - Feedback Loop Example (1 negative, 1 positive)

Answer 10

Positive - Sea levels rising - Could cause ice on land of Antarctica to fall in sea
Negative - Carbon in ice fall into sea and absorbed by phytoplankton, algae etc, reducing atmospheric carbon and reducing ice melting

Question 11

Global Management Systems of Antarctica - CCAMLO

Answer 11

Major Role in:
Environmental Protection
Management of Conservation
Area Protection
Tourism

Question 12

Global Management Systems of Antarctica - Madrid Protocol

Answer 12

Antarctica as a Natural Reserve
Establishes Environmental Principles, eg: Bans Mining
Requires Research Assessments