The Future of Antarctica
FISHERMEN
Ideas-
· The world is becoming short of fish stocks· The area had been fished for centuries and no one owns this area. Countries such as Japan and the former USSR have done this
· These people make a living from the sea
· Large stocks of fish exist here
· Krill may become an important food source in some areas
Research
· The state of fishing in the world· The amount of resources that exist here and how they could be fished
Possible sites
www.learnpremium.co.ukhttp://classroomantartica.aad.gov.au/
SCIENTISTS
Ideas· Scientists have been studying Antarctica since 1830
· There are valuable interests in climate, geology, wildlife and ice
· They can study the world’s changing climates from here
· They can research the effect of man on environment in a clean area
· It is an ideal spot for studying the thinning of the ozone layer and evidence from Antarctica led to a world ban on CFCs
· They research the past climates by looking at trapped bubbles of gas in deep ice and the changing levels of CO2
· If this ice melts the world sea level rise will be drastic
Research
· The value of knowledge of the ozone layer· The study of past climates
· The study of changing CO2 levels
Possible sites
www.learnpremium.co.ukhttp://classroomantarctica.aad.gov.au/
POLITICIANS IN LEDCs
Ideas
· They want to exploit the resources in this area as well· Why should the MEDCs have it all-they should be shared
· Resources should be carefully managed so that all can use them and both LEDCs and MEDCs can use them
Research
· The type and amount of resources in this area
· What types of resources some LEDCs are short of
Possible web sites
www.learnpremium.co.ukENVIRONMENTALISTS
Ideas
· This is a fragile ecosystem· We need to protect it against greedy humans
· It is the last unspoilt area
Research
· The types of damage that can be done to an area
· The list of unspoilt areas?
Possible web sites
www.learnpremium.co.uk
http://classroomantarctica.aad.gov.au/
MINING COMPANIES
Ideas· There are rich minerals here
· Minerals are running out in the world and we will be careful
Research
· The types of minerals that exist
· What minerals are running out
· How they could protect the environment
Possible web sites
www.learnpremium.co.ukhttp://classroomantarctica.aad.gov.au/
OIL COMPANIES
Ideas
· Oil is being depleted in the world and stocks will only last so long· Oil was found here in the 1970s
· The oil company is very careful of the environment when they mine an area-consider oil spills
· 10 billion barrels of oil could be extracted here
· Governments may help companies financially to extract the oil as they want a stake here
Research
· How much oil is here
· How oil companies care for the area they are in
Possible web sites
www.Learnpremium.co.uk
http://classroomantarctica.aad.gov.au/
WWF
Ideas
· Many countries are searching for sites on which to dump their waste· Some countries want sites on which to test nuclear weapons
· Consider oil spills and pollution from larger numbers of people.
· Nothing breaks down here-all waste has to be taken out!
· Any burning fuel would alter the clean air and climate
Research
· Look at sources of pollution
· Look at what could happen to the environment
· Look carefully at the damage done by large number of tourists
Possible web sites
www.learnpremium.co.uk
http://classroomantarctica.aad.gov.au/
TOURISM COMPANIES
Ideas
· All should be able to see this wonderful area· Tourism gives money that could be used to help manage the area
· A large runway and hotels are needed
· How will you reduce the impact of tourists?
· Tourist do cause a lot of damage
Research
· Look at current numbers visiting here
· Find out the rules for visitors in this area
Possible web site
www.learnpremium .co.ukhttp://classroomantarctica.aad.gov.au/
tourism sites?
Created by Sue Sturman, AST Gloucestershire and made available through www.sln.org.uk/geography