Antarctica

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  • Antarctica
    • Short term gains
      • Very low population density and limited development but pressures for change are immense
        • Continent has remained relatively unexplotied and pressures for short term gains have been resisted
      • Continent has remained relatively unexplotied and pressures for short term gains have been resisted
      • Antartica is the worlds last great wilderness, so hostile and remote is has no inhabitants
        • apart from around 1000 winter scientists who stay in Antarctica all year round
    • Sustainable management (antarctic treaty)
      • Used for peaceful purposes and so env. is protected
      • Research is the major activity although in summer fishing and tourism take place
      • 46 countries have signed the treaty - 80% of the worlds population
      • Mineral exploitation is very controversial. Technical, economical and env. difficulties of extracting minerals are immense.
      • Been in operation for nearly 50 yrs - regarded by many as an outstanding example of international cooperation and early example of sustainable management
        • Nations who aren't part of treaty see it as a rich mans club.
    • Environment lmpact assessment
      • No activity whether governmental or private
      • Strict regulations for waste disposal and management are specified
        • Discharges into the sea of oil, chemicals, and garbage both from ships and stations is prohibited.

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