Antarctica Case Study

Question 1

Give reasons for why Antarctica is so significant as a global commons

Answer 1

• Larger than Europe.
• 90% of all ice and 70% of all freshwater.
• Average temperature of -49 degrees c.
• Unique species in the Southern Ocean (e.g. Patagonian Toothfish).
• Upwelling of nutrient rich cold water.
• Very fragile terrestrial ecosystem - only two flowering plants.

Question 2

What are four key threats to Antarctica?

Answer 2

• Whaling and fishing.
• Climate change and ocean acidification.
• Mineral exploitation and extraction.
• Tourism and scientific research.

Question 3

Describe the threat of whaling and fishing in Antarctica

Answer 3

• Overfishing caused many species like the Patagonian Toothfish vulnerable to extinction.
• Species get trapped in fishing nets and drown.
• Whale populations take a long time to recover.
• Illegal fishing is challenging to monitor.

Question 4

Why is fishing and whaling a significant threat to Antarctica? (ASSESS)

Answer 4

• More pressure due to a growing population, a growing demand.
• Risk of resources running out elsewhere.
• Illegal fishing can lead to global disputes if issues are brought to international attention.

Question 5

Describe the threat of climate change and ocean acidification in Antarctica

Answer 5

• Ocean warmed by 3’C on West coast of Antarctica (fastest rate).
• Ice shelves have retreated, changing the environment.
• Adelie Penguin declining.
• Krill population declined by 80% since 1970.

Question 6

Why is climate change and ocean acidification a significant threat to Antarctica? (ASSESS)

Answer 6

• If all Antarctica sea ice melts, could raise sea levels by 65m.
• Risk of mass extinction if Krill populations die out.

Question 7

Describe the threat of mineral exploitation and extraction in Antarctica

Answer 7

• Contains the world’s largest coalfield.
• Large copper and cobalt reserves on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Question 8

Why is mineral exploitation and extraction a significant threat to Antarctica? (ASSESS)

Answer 8

• Increasing global pressure to exploit resources as supplies run out.
• Areas of water deficit could benefit from Antarctica’s freshwater supply.
• Coalfield mining could trigger a multiplier effect, undoing efforts for climate change.

Question 9

Describe the threat of tourism and scientific research in Antarctica

Answer 9

• Weather patterns, ecosystem adaptations and past climate change are all being monitored (ice cores).
• Whaling has continued in Antarctica for “scientific purposes”, especially in Japan.
• Number of tourists in 2017 was 43,000, in 2023 it was 103,000.

Question 10

Why is tourism and scientific research a signification threat to Antarctica? (ASSESS)

Answer 10

• Loopholes for scientific research could lead to more illegal activity being ignored.
• Potential for conflicts between countries if loopholes are utilised to develop faster.
• Tourism growing rapidly after globalisation.

Question 11

Give some facts about the Antarctic Treaty

Answer 11

• Drafted in 1959.
• Signed by 12 nations who had a claim in Antarctica.
• Agreed in Washington DC.
• Only 14 articles, but they are fundamental.

Question 12

What happened because of the Antarctic Treaty?

Answer 12

• Antarctica was demilitarised.
• Nations resolve issues and divide shares to new members.
• Prohibition of nuclear weapons or fuel dumping in the area.

Question 13

Why did the UN involve themselves with Antarctica’s governance in the 1980s?

Answer 13

Meetings were being held to discuss exploiting Antarctica, threatening it as a Global Commons.

Question 14

What three changes were implemented in the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS)?

Answer 14

• Two meetings to solve conservation of Antarctic Seals.
• Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) created.
• Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.

Question 15

What is the Madrid Protocol?

Answer 15

• Came into force in 1998.
• Stopped conversations on mining in Antarctica.
• Remains in force until 2048, where a 75% majority will be needed to make any changes to the protocol.

Question 16

What is the IWC?

Answer 16

International Whaling Committee.

Question 17

What are the main duties of the IWC?

Answer 17

• Complete protection of the whales species.
• Designated areas as whale sanctuaries.
• Prescribing seasons for whaling.
• Collecting catch reports and other data.

Question 18

What was established by the IWC in 1994?

Answer 18

Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary which banned whaling in Antarctica.

Question 19

When was the Whaling Moratorium for Antarctica brought into effect?

Answer 19

1982.

Question 20

What happened in 2018 following international debate?

Answer 20

Japan left the IWC and was forced to cease whaling in the Southern Ocean after being discovered that they were using scientific research to cover for commercial whaling.

Question 21

What four roles do NGOs have in Antarctica?

Answer 21

• Guardians = Challenge and monitor actions by ATS members.
• Technical Advisors = Use expertise to gain influence on decisions.
• Partners = Work with ATS members to designate areas of protection.
• Visionaries = Creating long term strategies.

Question 22

What is the IUCNs role in protecting Antarctica?

Answer 22

• Knowledge based group of experts.
• They share advocacy on issues and provides conservation advice.
• “Invited Expert” status at global meetings since 1987.

Question 23

What is ASOCs role in protecting Antarctica?

Answer 23

• Coordination between NGOs to develop shared positions.
• Participation in a range of issues (Greenpeace had bases in Antarctica in 1987 while mining talks were going on).
• Helped to establish the Antarctic Ocean Alliances and supported CCAMLR to create the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area (MPA).