tragedy of the commons
decline of common resources where rate of use exceeds rate of natural replenishment.
selfish acts cause increased competition with initial increased profit of a country.
what is the ave temp of Amundsen Scott in the winter and in the summer?
- 60 in the winter
- 25 in the summer
where is Amundsen Scott located? how high?
interior of the Antarctica - almost 2835m above SL
where Mcmurdo winter and summer temps
-30 in winter
0 in summer
location of McMurdo and height above SL
coastal area 24m
how much does the interior receive vs coastal area
less than 50mm snow per anum in the interior
185mm per anum in coastal area
how many degrees is the Antarctica predicted to rise by 2100
2*C
predicted SL rise by 2100
50cm
impact of CC on the center
increased snow fall
impact of CC on the coast
increased rainfall
impact of CC on the peninsula (rate of warming)
increase melting and collapse of ice shelfs
its warming 5x faster than the rest of the world
impact of CC on the east
THICKER - snow fall
warmer sea = evaporation = condenses and falls as snow.
impact of CC in the west
THINNER ice = SL rise of between 1 and 3
ice frozen on rock is still fine
BUT the glacial ice slides into the sea as the base warms
what is the antarctic convergence?
cold antarctic water meets warmer subantarctic water. = cold water sinks. = upwelling and mixing creating nutrients and O2 rich water = more marine productivity
CCAMLR
commission of the conservation of antarctic marine living resources
- regulate southern ocean fisheries.
what caused the formation of CCAMLR
exploitation of seals and whales
what is the Total allowed catch of krill?
1.5 million tonnes
but it is less due to reduced activity of the soviet union
what is an example of illegal fishing and what were the effects?
Patagonian tooth fish = depleted stocks and the fishing method is killing sea birds
which whale species have been most affected by whaling?
humpback = original target
blue whale - targeted due to better tech
IWC
international whaling commission - banned whaling 1982
how many whales does japan kill per yr?
around 300 minke whales
how many whales in total have been killed in the southern ocean?
1.3 million
what activities are available for antarctic tourists?
helicopter flights, paragliding, photo safaris, camping, visit research stations.
what are the benefits of antarctic tourism?
HIC have the experience and and can profit to improve facilities
tour operators and travel companies benefit
tourists can become advocates for protection
problems with tourism in the Antarctica
degradation invasion to species, interrupts research, fragile ecosystem air pollution fuel spills from boats
what is the maximum number of people that can step foot on Antarctica at any one time?
100ppl
ships with more than …… tourists cannot birth on antarctica
500
what accident occurred in 2007
ms explorer sunk = slight reduced number visiting after
what minerals have been discovered?
iron, gold, silver and coal
what was the association which draws up tourism guidelines
international association of tour operators
what treaty bans commercial mining?
enviro protocol to the Antarctic treaty
what are some problems that would arise with antarctic mining?
low temp - machines would not work short days very remote high winds very costly
ATS
antarctic treaty system
number of nations signed up to the Antarctic treaty system
12
what does the ATS promise?
no military activity
no nuclear waste
free access and research to all
stop territorial claims
what do critics say about the antarctic treaty system?
rich mans club - v. exclusive
very slow - decision by consensus
what did the ATS guarantee?
fair and clean exploitation
what is the protocol for environmental protection?
- ban minerals resources activity and exploration
- promote monitoring and assessment to minimise the human impacts.
- concentrate and provide expertise
- rally the public
- provoke action
Antarctic ocean alliance
protected areas and marine reserved
argue southern ocean and Antarctica are perfect for research into climate change