Antarctica Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is a global common
An area not owned by a single country or organisation
-Antarctica
-the high seas
-the atmosphere
-outer space
What is the tragedy of the commons
Lots of people rushing to an area, over exploiting it, can occur without unified govt
Antarctica climate
Coldest, driest, windiest place on earth
98% covered by ice
Contains 90% of the worlds ice
Fragile ecosystem, low biodiversity
Surrounded by southern ocean
Why is it a global common
No country owns Antarctica.
•It is governed by international agreements (mainly the Antarctic Treaty System).
•It is protected for peace, science, and conservation.
•There are no permanent residents, only temporary scientific researchers.
Antarctic convergence zone
Warm sub Antarctic waters meets the cold water of the southern ocean
The meeting of water creates a very productive ecosystem, upwelling currents bring nutrients
Krill, plankton, sea birds flock along the convergence
How is climate change a threat
-Antarctica impacted from global warming 5x higher rate than average. Temps increased by 3C over last 30 years
-Ice sheets melting, sea level rise-new land, plants, change ecosystem
-Increased ocean acidification, Krill population declining
How is fishing and whaling a threat
Leads to species extinction
1930s Antarctic fur seal was almost wiped out
Blue whale population is between 10-25,000 (3-11% of 1911 figure)
Krill population dropped by 80% since 1970s
2018 Japan killed 333 minke whales ‘scientific research’
How is tourism a threat
1990s 5000 visitors per year
2016 44,000 visitors per year
Pollution, waste, disturb animals
Introduction of non native species
Mining threat
Large deposits of mineral, coal, iron ore, oil
Madrid protocol 1991 - can’t mine minerals for at least 50 years
What does the united nations environment program do
Reports antarcticas activity to the un
CCAMLR protects areas and stops illegal fishing
What does the international whaling commission do
Responsible for regulating whaling
Declared a pause on commercial whaling 1982, the whale moratorium
1994 set up a whale sanctuary
The Antarctic treaty
Rules on how Antarctica should be managed
Peaceful, no military, weapons testing
International association of Antarctica tour operators
Human waste disposed
Limits on how many people can get off a ship
Antarctic treaty system
•Signed in 1959, entered into force in 1961, with 54 parties today
•No military activity
•No nuclear testing or waste
•Freedom for scientific research
•Territorial claims are frozen
•Environmental protection is central
NGOs
Greenpeace, ASOC
