PROTECTING ANTARCTICA PROTECTING ANTARCTICA Dr John Shears Environmental Officer British Antarctic Survey Cambridge

Where is Antarctica? At the bottom of the world! Remote and barren icy desert: South Pole -52 o C! The coldest, windiest, and driest place on Earth No rivers, forests or native people About the same size as Europe Very simple ecosystems with few species

Antarctica - The Last Great Wilderness Antarctica is the world’s largest remaining wilderness region. The Antarctic continent remains almost undamaged by mankind, but the marine ecosystem of the Southern Ocean has been exploited for over 200 years.

Protecting Antarctica A unique set of international regulations - the Antarctic Treaty System - protects Antarctica. The Antarctic Treaty (1961) suspends territorial claims and preserves the continent for science and peace. The Treaty has been reinforced by other agreements. The most important are: - the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) (1982) - the Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection (1998) The Antarctic Treaty has been signed by 45 countries, including Britain. They meet each year to discuss the future of the continent.

Current Threats to Antarctica GlobalGlobal - Climate change RegionalRegional - Pirate fishing and seabird mortality LocalLocal - Scientific research and tourism

Global Threats – Climate Change? The northern Antarctic Peninsula has warmed by 2.5 o C over the last 50 years. This has caused the collapse of several ice shelves. Larsen ‘B’ disintegrated in March 2002 releasing over 500 billion tonnes of ice. Top. NASA Terra satellite image showing the collapse of Larsen ‘B’ ice shelf. Image is 300 x 300 km. Left. Aerial photograph of Larsen ‘B’.

Climate Change – Rising CO 2 concentrations CO 2 concentrations measured at South Pole show a significant increase over the last 50 years.CO 2 concentrations measured at South Pole show a significant increase over the last 50 years. The rise is due to the use of fossil fuels and the burning of forests.The rise is due to the use of fossil fuels and the burning of forests. Ice core data show that CO 2 concentrations are now ~30% greater than in the previous 400,000 years.Ice core data show that CO 2 concentrations are now ~30% greater than in the previous 400,000 years.

Regional Threats – Pirate fishing In the past, sealing and whaling caused significant impacts to the Southern Ocean. Now, the catches of Patagonian toothfish have reached unsustainable levels. In 2001/02, the legal catch of toothfish was 12,800 tonnes. But a further 10,900 tonnes was probably taken illegally. Longline fishing vessels are targeting Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides). Toothfish can fetch £18 a kg wholesale. The high price attracts “pirate” vessels.

Save the Albatross Longlining kills thousands of albatrosses every year in the Southern Ocean because they get caught and drowned on the baited hooks of lines >100 km long. At Bird Island, South Georgia the breeding population of wandering albatrosses is decreasing by 1% per annum.

Local Threats – Science The scientific exploration of Antarctica began only just over 100 years ago.The scientific exploration of Antarctica began only just over 100 years ago. Up to 10,000 scientists and staff now work there each summer, falling to 1000 in winter.Up to 10,000 scientists and support staff now work there each summer, falling to 1000 in winter. The only human settlements are research stations.The only human settlements are research stations. Environmental impacts of science are localised, and found largely around major permanent stations.Environmental impacts of science are localised, and found largely around major permanent stations. Rothera Research Station is the largest British base in Antarctica. In summer, about 120 people work there.

How does BAS minimize its impact ? Environmental Impact Assessment of all activitiesEnvironmental Impact Assessment of all activities Recycle or remove all solid wastesRecycle or remove all solid wastes Clean-up of abandoned bases and waste dumpsClean-up of abandoned bases and waste dumps Introducing renewable energy systemsIntroducing renewable energy systems Conserving historic sitesConserving historic sites

Local Threats - Tourism Environmentalists are worried by the rapid growth in tourism to Antarctica.Environmentalists are worried by the rapid growth in tourism to Antarctica. Numbers of tourists have doubled since 1992, reaching 13,500 last season.Numbers of tourists have doubled since 1992, reaching 13,500 last season. There are concerns about a major fuel spill from a tourist vessel, and disturbance to breeding wildlife.There are concerns about a major fuel spill from a tourist vessel, and disturbance to breeding wildlife. Insert photo of cruise ship here. Also IAATO logo No. of visitors to Antarctica Antarctic Summer Season

Do we need to take further action? Global warming may cause sea level to rise due to melting ice sheets. International action required to reduce CO 2 emissions. If the West Antarctic Ice Sheet melted this would raise global sea levels by about 5m over several centuries. Sea level rise will put many low-lying coastal regions of the UK, such as London, at risk of flooding. Number of closures per year of the Thames barrier. Source: DEFRA, 2003.

Summary Antarctica is the last great wilderness on earthAntarctica is the last great wilderness on earth Human activities on the continent are carefully regulated and controlled by the Antarctic Treaty.Human activities on the continent are carefully regulated and controlled by the Antarctic Treaty. The greatest threat to Antarctica is from global warming, caused by activities elsewhere on the planet.The greatest threat to Antarctica is from global warming, caused by activities elsewhere on the planet. Think global – act local!Think global – act local!