Large Scale

• Large Scale Case Study

  Antarctic Treaty
• Antarctic Treaty

  came into force in 1961

  next up for negotiation in 2041
• aims to demilitarise Antarctica

  no military operations allowed in Antarctica
• aims to set aside disputes over territorial sovereignty
• aims to establish Antarctica as a nuclear free zone

  no radioactive waste or testing allowed in Antarctica
• aims to guarantee for scientific research and research

  e.g. metrological data and hydrographic charting
• aims to promote scientific co-operation

  scientific observations and results are exchanged and made freely available
• aims to promote logical co-operation and communications 


  aid the safety of all on the continent
• aims to protect Antarctica's environment and intrinsic values of Antarctica

  wilderness and aesthetic values
• aims to ban any activity relating to mineral sources
• aims to ensure any visits to Antarctica comply with the Treaty and Protocol
• aims to preserve historic sites found in Antarctica

  e.g. huts of Scott and Shackleton
• cumulative impacts from human activity

  current threat to the Antarctic Treaty and Antarctica
• environmental threats such as effects of climate change


  current threat to Antarctica which Antarctic treaty may need to be adapted for
• increasing visitor number per year


  current threat to Antarctica as it is more difficult to regulate rules on large numbers of people

  negatively affecting the environment by the ways of transport to get to Antarctica
• future problem of the challenge of balancing scientific research with environmental protection
• future challenge of addressing emerging threats made by human activity such as climate change
• The future of Antarctica relies on the adaptability of the Antarctic Treaty