A Different View Of Antarctica
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010It is the most desolate, coldest, driest, windiest, most inaccessible end of the earth. Because it was deemed unable to support much human activity, it was decided by all nations that it should be shared. However, as our natural resources start to run out, more nations are now looking at Antarctica as an additional source of natural resources.
What was seen as a land of penguins, whales and lots of ice is now seen as a source of oil, iron and coal. International confrontations due to the exploitation of the natural resource may gradually replace the existing cooperation of international scientific studies.
The scientists at stations such as the main U.S. Antarctica bases have always praised the decades of tranquil atmosphere surrounding the research and the sharing among the different nations. The high level of human bonding is said to be because of the common challenge that the environment creates, and a common interest in the research that is being done.
Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd’s vision of Antarctica and his efforts have lead to a park being dedicated to him near the National Science Foundation McMurdo Headquarters that are responsible for all of the U.S Antarctica operations. Richard Byrd was the first to fly over Antarctica and led five successful expeditions. He saw Antarctica as a place that should set an example of international scientific cooperation and of a region where nations can live together in peace. there is concern that his noble vision will be lost as the world becomes more dependent on energy and the Earth’s minerals.
Little is known about the potential mineral supply to be found in the Antarctic but there is growing interest. The situation in the Antarctic has changed to become more revolved around political situation and less in science. The existence of large quantities of minerals and also oil may lie waiting to be discovered under the frozen landscape and beneath the treacherous seas.
The region and surrounding area is geologically similar to other areas of the Earth where there is an abundance of oil and mineral reserves. Exploratory offshore core drilling by the U.S has already provided data that supports the belief that hydrocarbon deposits do exist. Deposits of coal have already been confirmed with other minerals and metals such as titanium, uranium, gold, copper, lead, cobalt, nickel and chromium.
The regions harsh landscape and hostile conditions has made the exploitation of the region economically unwise, until recently that is. Scientists and environmentalists alike are now concerned as the exploitation of the region is now makes sense economically due to the rising price of minerals and the new technology that is now available.
With the Antarctic being one of the last regions of the Earth to remain unpolluted and untouched the concern over the mineral exploitation is a big issue to environment groups worldwide. The exploitation of the region will certainly conflict with the environment and the International Institute for Environment and Development and the Sierra group are both aware of the prospects of this happening.
Both believe that exploration of the mineral deposits is needed to see what is actually there but that there must be studies carried out to assess the environmental impacts. However they are worried the results of any studies will actually encourage development. What causes the most concerns is oil drilling due to the chances of an oil spill. Most Antarctic life, such as birds and seals, clusters along the coasts and could be greatly affected. In colder climates oil doesn’t easily break up and degrades at a slower rate, so an oil spill there would be extremely damaging, more so than anywhere else.
The landmark 1959 treaty set Antarctica aside as a scientific preserve and controls a lot of the activity that goes on there. The treaty has meant that the region is now free from nuclear weapons testing and radioactive waste. The treaty has successfully side stepped any overlapping land claims. If you plan a vacation, a money saving Ebook is available for instant download and can save you 100′s if not 1000′s of dollars on your next vacation. Global Travel Secrets Ebook Click Here! is at the forefront of saving people time, hassle, and most importantly…MONEY! Many countries including Great Britain, Australia, , New Zealand, France, Chile, Norway and Argentina all claim territory within the Antarctic. travel to antarctica cruise to antarctica
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