Antarctica

Question 1

how big is Antarctica

Answer 1

14 million km

Question 2

how much ice does Antartica contain

Answer 2

90% of all ice on earth

this is about 70% of earths fresh water

Question 3

Antarctica has a unique environment .

Answer 3

• very little available water - classed as a desert
• very cold. average temperatures of -49 degrees C
• few plants and animals can survive

Question 4

how many species of flowering plants grow

Answer 4

2

Question 5

lots of sea life what are some examples

Answer 5

fish
seals
whales

birds live of the sea life

marine ecosystem is fragile
if one population decreases it affects the other species

Question 6

what are the 4 main threats to Antarctica

Answer 6

climate change
fishing and whaling
search for minerals
tourism and research

Question 7

when was the antarctic treaty signed and what was the agreement

Answer 7

1959

agreement to sustainably manage Antarcticas ecosystems.

Question 8

how is climate change a threat to Antarctica

Answer 8

• west coast of Antarctica have warmed by 3 degrees in the last 5 decades
• warming has caused ice sheets to melt
• species of penguin have declined since the ice has melted

-

Question 9

how is fishing and whaling a threat to Antarctica

overfishing - expand

Answer 9

• threatens species
• Antarctic krill is the most fished creature - this has a knock on effect on the bigger fish, birds and mammals which eat it
• legal limits which ensures a sustainable level of fishing however illegal fishing takes place

-other animals get caught in fishing nets and drown

Question 10

how is fishing and whaling a threat to Antarctica

whaling - expand

Answer 10

• common in the mid 20th century
• declined since 1982
• in 1982 regulations were bought in to ban all whaling

the whale population is slowly recovering but whales are slow breeders.

Question 11

how is search for minerals a threat to Antarctica

Answer 11

• lots of minerals in Antarctica
• coal and iron ore
• also large resources in the southern ocean
• mining in Antarctica
• mining in Antarctica is currently banned because conditions are difficult
  too far to trasport machinery

landscape would make it expnsive

thhis may change due to increassing demand for oil

Question 12

what are two global institutions that govern Antarctica

Answer 12

IWC - International whaling commission

UNEP - United Nations environment programme

Question 13

IWC

Answer 13

responsible for regulating whaling and ensuring that the whale population is at a sustainable level

whale sanctuary

criticised for not monitoring properly

Question 14

United Nations environment programme

Answer 14

governs the worlds environment

responsible for reporting activity in Antarctica to the UN

Question 15

whaling moratorium

Answer 15

banned all commercial whaling around the world

helped whale populations increase

poorly enforced - country still kill whales - Japan

Question 16

NGOS monitor and enforce rules - what is the name of the NGO that is involved with Antarctica

Answer 16

ASOC

antarctic and southern ocean coalition

Question 17

ASOC

Answer 17

formed In 1978

made an Antarctic treaty

interested in protecting the environment

they check that countries are following the rules of all treaties

monitors the effect that climate change is having of Antarctica

reduce GHG

Question 18

how does governing Antarctica affect the rest of the world

Answer 18

efforts to combat climate change - using renewable energy sources in homes

Question 19

what did the antarctic treaty include

Answer 19

Antarctica should only be used for peaceful reasons - no army bases

countries should cooperate on scientific research in Antarctica by sharing research

Antarctica should remain in the global commons - not one country can claim it