Why should Antarctica be developed?
Antarctica is a remarkable continent – remote, hostile and uninhabited. This frozen continent is key to understanding how our world works, and our impact upon it. Antarctica is important for science because of its profound effect on the Earth’s climate and ocean systems.
What does the US military do in Antarctica?
Joint Task Forces Support Forces Antarctica (Operation Deep Freeze) Provides logistics and support for the U.S. Antarctic Program; oversees the activities of U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Navy, and Coast Guard personnel who participate in the USAP.
How Antarctica will play an important role in the survival of the world?
Answer: By visiting the Antarctica we can understand the earth’s past, present and future. A visit there can teach the next generation to understand and value our planet. Antarctica also holds within its ice-cores half-million-years old carbon records which will help us to study climatic changes by global warming.
How do we save Antarctica?
The Environmental Protocol of the Antarctic Treaty, sometimes called the “Madrid Protocol”, became law in 1998 after legislation in each of the member countries. One of the ways in which this protects Antarctica is by only allowing visitors to Antarctica by member nations as long as they are given a permit to do so.
Why is there no military activity in Antarctica?
As Antarctica has never been permanently settled by humans, there has historically been little military activity in the Antarctic. Because the Antarctic Treaty, which came into effect on June 23, 1961, bans military activity in Antarctica, military personnel and equipment may only be used for scientific…
Why is it important for Antarctica to be developed?
It states that Antarctica should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes or scientific research. The treaty was again renewed in 2009 but it prompted the question of whether Antarctica should be developed . If Antarctica was to be developed a vital factor would be whether all of its resources it has to offer should be mined.
Who are the countries that have bases in Antarctica?
Russia has made a point of building bases all round the Antarctic continent. The US operates a base at the South Pole, which conveniently straddles every territorial claim. This year China built its fourth base. Next year it will build a fifth.
Is the use of nuclear weapons illegal in Antarctica?
While the use of nuclear weapons is absolutely prohibited, the Treaty does not apply to naval activity within these bounds (in the Southern Ocean) so long as it takes place on the high seas . Military forces from many countries have provided support to scientific expeditions and bases in Antarctica. Notable operations and expeditions have included: