Antarctica

Location

Governance

Climate

Vulnerability

Major threats facing Antarctica

Antarctica is the southern most continent that holds 90% of the Earths freshwater

Antarctica's climate is entirely unique, it is one of the coldest places on Earth with temperatures averaging around -40 degrees

It is the driest place on Earth

There is little precipitation and the UK's precipitation is 5x Antarctica's

The Antarctic winds are very strong, they are known as katabatics

The ecosystem

Antarctica's ecosystem is not very biodiverse due to the very harsh conditions, only hardy plants such as mosses and lichen can grow and there are hardly any animals (only insects

The Southern Ocean is very diverse in marine life with lots of fish, krill, penguins, whales and seals

The Influence of NGOs on Antarctic Governance

Antarctica is threatened by a range of issues, and its status as a global commons may enhance it's vulnerability. Therefore, Antarctica is governed by global institutions that ensure it is sustainably managed

The IWC

The United Nations

CCAMLR

The Antarctic Treaty

Due to the environment and resources in Antarctica, the idea of this hub of resources being a 'common' makes it vulnerable.

There is a high demand of resources such as fossil fuels and minerals and fish, which Antarctica can help to provide

The climate of Antarctica is incredibly fragile, it is highly adapted to the extreme environment and even the slightest change can have devastating knock on effects on the rest of the ecosystem making it incredibly vulnerable to climate change

Climate Change

Fishing and Whaling

Mineral and Resource Exploitation

Tourism and scientific research

Warmer sea and atmospheric temperatures cause ice sheets to melt and huge icebergs to break away, this increases the sea level causing global flooding

Animals and Plant s in the Antarctic are heavily impacted by changing climates as they are heavily adapted to the extreme Antarctic environment . Migration patterns have been impacted and some species have declined such as the Adelie penguin which has impacted the Antarctic food web

CO2 stored in the ice sheets is released as they melt, exacerbating the greenhouse effect

The Ice-Albedo effect is lessened

Antarctica