The global commons Flashcards

Question

Why is ice expanding in some areas

Answer 1

increased snow and rain adds cooler, denser layer of water on the top land ice melting forms floating ice bergs contributing to sea ice expansion water becoming less saline due to storms freshening (ddesalinating) oceans raises temperature needed for ice to form

Answer 2

increasing sea temperature ocean acidification - disrupting food chains expanding sea ice (some areas) loss of sea and land ice higher intensity of UV light

Answer 3

globally agreements on climate change (Kyoto/ Paris) energy conservation renewable energy locally protect existing environment monitor any changes in climate and ecosystem

Answer 4

extreme climate isolated location ice on land shifting sea ice and ice shelves 1998 protocol on environmental protection to the Antarctic treaty (banning all mining for 50 years)

Answer 5

china, Iran, India, and Russia all interested in mineral extraction coal/ oil/ gas present - what they are most interested in china taken a lead - build research station in centre of Antarctica to drill through ice any extraction potentially massive environmental impact (unsustainable) tech used in Arctic could be used in developing mining minerals mainly found around coast australia lays claim to almost half on Antarctica new tech advances may lead to countries being more able to mine in Antarctica

Answer 6

massively increased in recent decades due to it being opened up from domestic to internaitonal popular global leisure activity since early 90s tourism continuously grown 2004 - around 700 million visitors advances in tech mean its easier, quicker, and more affordable Human activity in Antarctica regulated by Antarctic treaty MS explorer (2007) - crashed and spilled diesel into Southern ocean concerns about impact to ecosystem - mostly Antarctic peninsula (area most impacted by climate change) rules about how many people allowed on land and how close they can go to wildlife wildlife and ecosystems fragile - one small change can be catastrophic for a colony

Answer 7

researchers go to study many things e.g., wildlife, astronomy, weather and geology conduct studies that cant be done elsewhere to help understanding of global environmental issues e.g., climate change, sea level rise British antarctic survey world leader in polar research 1985 - discovered hole in ozone layer (leading to ban of CFCs) Russia (Vostok) - southern pole changes in magnetosphere and climatology McMurdo station (USA) - largest Antarctic station range of research including ice cores, glaciology, ocean and climate systems houses 1200 waste produced clear large areas of ice e.g., McMurdo helicopter pads and landing strips dogs permanently banned in Antarctica - brought diseases that impacted local wildlife

Answer 8

resilience - the amount of disturbance an ecosystem can withstand without changing existing structures and processes mitigation - actions, strategies, measures or projects undertaken to combat negative impacts of a process adaptation - alteration/ adjustment in structure/ function of organism/ systems enabling it to better survive in changing conditions

Answer 9

governs all areas south of 60 degrees south latitude (any area in antarctic circle) signed 1959 by 12 nations - formalised free access, and research rights to all countries for the cause of scientific research and idea exchange came into force 1961 very successful international agreement effctive disarmament - prevented potential conflicts Australia claimed 40% now 54 nations - banning mining and militarisation 2048 up for review

Answer 10

one of few international agreements of 20th century to have succeeded maintained spirit of peaceful international cooperation in Antarctica limited environmental damage no armed conflicts permintted antarctic science to flourish open for any member of UN or any country invited by treaty nations (however controlled mainly by HIC and developed countries)

Answer 11

much of science conducted is poor and done to protect territorial rights to mineral extraction no provision of benefits to countries unable to pay expensive scientific programmes 'Rich man's club' - run be select group of developed countries for their own benefit focused on easily resolvable issues (e.g., scientific cooperation) avoiding fundamental problems (e.g., competing territorial claims)