Antarctica Case Study (global Commons)

Question 1

Antarctica case study?

Answer 1

Governed by international agreements, not owned by any country.protected under Antarctic treaty system 1959 (freedom of scientific research )No permanent residents only temporary scientists/researches.

Threats to Antarctica:

Climate change-melting sea ice has impacted global sea levels which have risen by 3mm a year since 1990 making ice shelves unstable, increasing rate of melting ( albedo effect)

Changes to ocean circulation/ ecosystems.krill depend on environment sea ice provides. As a result krill pop has declined by around 80% since 1970(predators face food shortages,lead to decline in whale,seal and penguins pops)

Tourism- over 50k annually pre covid.tourism increases shipping and air travel to Antarctica leading to water/air pollution and high chance of oil spills

Tourism disturbs breeding colonies and tramples fragile vegetation as well as eroding landscapes.leading to long term pop decline,permanent damage to ecosystems increase surface runoff.

Whaling:
Whaling was common mid 20th century but continued to decline after 1982 when
IWC was set up 1946 for regulating whaling and ensuring pop is kept sustainable.increase pressure on krill stock(reduces predation).whales absorb co2 in atmosphere (natural carbon sinks)