How do people value their environment?
The main threats facing Antarctica:In approximate order of the assessed threat as of 2014
- 1 - Climate change / Global warming, resulting in a warming of the sea and loss of sea ice and land-based ice, this is greatest long-term threat to the region. Already some ice shelves have collapsed and ice slopes and glaciers have retreated. Oceanic acidification (from extra dissolved carbon dioxide) is already leading to the loss of some marine snails thought to have a significant part to play in the oceanic carbon cycle. The breeding populations and ranges of some penguin species have already been altered.
2 - Fishing, both legal and illegal. Much of the world's oceans are over-fished, the chances are that if investments into the kinds of boats and fishing gear needed for Antarctica are made, then it too will suffer this same fate. Fishing for krill could be particularly significant as these are at the bottom of many Antarctic food chains. There are already illegal fishing boats that ignore current regulations.
3 - Invasive species. Organisms that are not native to Antarctica are being taken there on ships, attached as seeds to boots and clothing. Some of these that are able to, now survive there as a consequence of global warming. Rats in particular are a threat to Antarctica's ground nesting birds which are particularly vulnerable as there are no native ground based predators for them to be experienced in defending themselves against.
4 - Tourism, with the accompanying pollutants that accompany ships and aircraft, the possibility of oil spills and the effects of lots of people and infrastructure on wildlife and the wider environment.
5 - Pollution, CFC's and other ozone depletors are responsible for the ozone hole that has appeared over Antarctica for over 30 years, chemicals produced thousands of miles away are found in Antarctic ice and in the bodies of wildlife. Discarded equipment, chemicals and oil can degrade the landscape. Fishing nets, plastic, lines, hooks etc. carried by the sea can result in great suffering or loss of life by birds, fish and marine mammals.
7 - Exploration and exploitation of mineral reserves, oil and gas. Not currently economically viable, but as the need becomes greater and as technology advances, this will become an increasing threat. The Antarctic Treaty bans all mining and mineral exploitation indefinitely, though this comes up for review in 2048 (in other words, it isn't really banned indefinitely at all).
8 - Direct impacts associated with the development of infrastructure for scientific bases and programmes. The construction of buildings and related facilities such as roads, fuel storage, runways etc.
Various Perspectives
I for one love Antarctica, a beautiful, peaceful place, but now it is being ruined. Animals are being traumatized, endangered and some have become extinct! I've seen pictures of waste just being left there on the ground, I'm sickened by this stuff. And as a 13-year-old girl, it crushes me and in my eyes, degrades the human race and represents its' true colours. People should be ashamed of them-selves. We seem to never learn from our mistakes aye? What about the Antarctica Treaty? Does nobody care for that? I really don't think that tourists should be allowed to go to Antarctica, there are plenty of other places out there and Antarctica is just one of them. Besides, scientists etc., are ruining Antarctica for everyone anyways. If you really want to go to Antarctica, then become a scientists etc., a good one I mean. Not the type of person that would destroy it for everyone!
Tiffany, 13
I think that Antarctica should be left how it is. Although people say it could help us in years to come. (If we develop it.) Think what it would do to the wildlife. Treaties may be helping save Antarctica. But some of them are also ruining it. We should stop because everywhere else on the globe is being used for our purposes. So I don't see why we should ruin this last place.
Katie
Antarctica bears upon it such a vast variation of fascinating flora and fauna. Having adapted to the regular and freezing climate of the continent, I understand the devastating effects Global Warming has had on Antarctica’s inhabitants as well as, ultimately, the unique and pristine environment that provides such an awe-inspiring marvel. This, as any would understand it, is the reasoning behind Antarctic tourism. I believe that this controversial travel simply encourages the discarding of rubbish which results in landfill and the emitting of greenhouse gases with their final disposal, further contributing to Global Warming. As to how to stop Global Warming, I myself am unsure of the actions I believe we should take but I would be honoured to hear any responses or suggestions regarding possible solutions. As Paul implies; ‘All it takes is a seed’, meaning this idea could start something small but generate into a life-changing reality. We cannot let this beautiful continent become as polluted and wasted as the rest of the Earth.
Sincerely, Phebe, 13
Tiffany, 13
I think that Antarctica should be left how it is. Although people say it could help us in years to come. (If we develop it.) Think what it would do to the wildlife. Treaties may be helping save Antarctica. But some of them are also ruining it. We should stop because everywhere else on the globe is being used for our purposes. So I don't see why we should ruin this last place.
Katie
Antarctica bears upon it such a vast variation of fascinating flora and fauna. Having adapted to the regular and freezing climate of the continent, I understand the devastating effects Global Warming has had on Antarctica’s inhabitants as well as, ultimately, the unique and pristine environment that provides such an awe-inspiring marvel. This, as any would understand it, is the reasoning behind Antarctic tourism. I believe that this controversial travel simply encourages the discarding of rubbish which results in landfill and the emitting of greenhouse gases with their final disposal, further contributing to Global Warming. As to how to stop Global Warming, I myself am unsure of the actions I believe we should take but I would be honoured to hear any responses or suggestions regarding possible solutions. As Paul implies; ‘All it takes is a seed’, meaning this idea could start something small but generate into a life-changing reality. We cannot let this beautiful continent become as polluted and wasted as the rest of the Earth.
Sincerely, Phebe, 13