THE FUTURE OF ANTARCTICA

INTRODUCING ANTARCTICA

• The coldest, driest and windiest place on Earth
• Record temp : -89.6 degrees
• 14 million km squared of Earth's surface
• 90% of world's ice and 70% of world's fresh water
• Largest wildlife sanctuary in the world

INTRODUCING ANTARCTICA

• Population : 0
• 1000 scientists in winter and 10,000 in summer
• 40,000 tourists in summer
• All activities regulated by Antarctic Treaty System
• Antarctica is designated for peace and science

THREATS TO THE ENVIRONMENT

THREATS

• Only two species of plant exist
• Antarctic peninsula is most affected by rising temperatures
• Greenhouse gasses = rise in temp. = glaciers melt = collapse of ice shelves
• Ozone depletion: hole in ozone layer which is dangerous to humans and ecosystem productivity
• Rush to establish research stations = rubbish dumped in seabed = heavy pollution

THREATS

• Whales and other fish get killed for meat, oil and bone
• This could lead to ecological disaster because of decreasing no. Of species

SOLUTIONS

SOLUTIONS

• Kyoto protocol - reduce greenhouse gases
• Local strategies to cut down fossil fuels
• Montreal protocol - restrict CFC use
• CCAMLR - protect southern ocean ecosystem
• Environmental protocol - all solid waste recycled and removed

OPINION

Untitled Slide

• Limit the amount of tourists
• Apply stricter laws on the endangerment of species
• Fishing should be controlled in a fairvbalance between humans and animals
• All rubbish that can kill animals should be removed
• Certain substances should be banned in Antarctica such as products containing CFC's

OPINION

• Pirate fishing should be completely illegal and banned

CONCLUSION

Antarctica is proven to be crucial research to scientists. It is quite hard to balance between the sustainability of Antarctica and the developing research. Most of the threats that Antarctica suffers from are from human activity. However, what was in the past is not as easy to resolve now but the future of Antarctica can be saved by reducing emissions, protecting animals and removing pollution. With these three steps, Antarctica will not be so much of a problem for future generations as it was for us apart from global warming and ozone depletion.

THE END