Antarctica Case study

Question 1

Climate

Answer 1

• coldest place on earth
• average temperature is -49 degrees
• lowest temperature recorded was -89
• considered a desert due to its dry climate
• average under 50mm rainfall inland
• average winds are 60-70mph
• 6 months dark, 6 months light

Question 2

Natural resources

Answer 2

• marine life
• fossil fuels
• oil reserves

Question 3

Vulnerability as a Global Common

Answer 3

• high demand for its resources
• vulnerable to climate change

Question 4

Name 4 major threats to Antarctica

Answer 4

climate change, fishing/whaling, resource exploitation, tourism/research

Question 5

How does climate change pose as a threat to Antarctica?

Answer 5

• warmers temperature melt ice sheets, which cause sea levels to rise
• CO2 stored in the ice sheets is released into the atmosphere
• the albedo effect is reduced
• certain marine species have declined due to changing sea temperatures

Question 6

How does Fishing and Whaling pose as a threat to Antarctica

Answer 6

• overfishing causes marine life to go extinct
• up to 120,000 tonnes fished annually
• currently bans on whaling, due to their endangered populations

Question 7

How has resource exploitation posed as a threat to Antarctica?

Answer 7

• oil exploitation disrupts the natural habitat
• oil spills cause great damage to Antarctica

Question 8

How has tourism and scientific research posed as a threat to Antarctica?

Answer 8

• travel to and from Antarctica has greatly increased fossil fuel emissions
• cruise ship crashes destroy sea ice
• research bases can disrupt the environment if not handled properly