Is Antarctica on the Brink of Destruction?

· Article 2 – freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue;

·  Article 3 – free exchange of information and personnel in cooperation with the United Nations and other international agencies;

· Article 4 – does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial sovereignty claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force;

· Article 5 – prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes;

· Article 6 – includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south;

·  Article 7 – treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all activities and of the introduction of military personnel must be given;

· Article 8 – allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states;

· Article 9 – frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations;

· Article 10 – treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty;

· Article 11 – disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the International Court of Justice.

Madrid Protocol

5.2

The Madrid Protocol is a comprehensive set of measures for regulating human activity that was instated in 1998. “The purpose of the Protocol was essentially to protect Antarctica for 50 years from commercial exploitation primarily of its mineral wealth” 

Effectiveness

5.3

Many aspects of the Antarctic environment are adequately protected, like the underground minerals and some of the native bird species, however, some marine species are not perfectly protected. Krill is reasonably protected due to a weight limit on catches, which is the same with most fish species; however, Illegal fishing does take place, which jeopardizes many of the animal’s sustainable future.

While tourism and scientific bases are hard to control, they are as safe and as controlled as possible, because of rules and regulations.

Solutions/Recommendations on what needs to happen to protect Antarctica adequately

6.0

While Antarctica is well managed, much more can be done to conserve this great continent area. The Antarctic Treaty is a very useful beginning, and can be used to as a base to start with. The worldwide community should take a very conservative approach to Antarctica, and should make it a world park, and have a limit on tourism. It would also be advantageous to have all mining and resource depletion banned for the next 100 years. As long as the global community can control and regulate Antarctica, we will have a magic place to keep for many generations to come.