Critical appraisal of the developing governance of Antarctica.…

The idea

Antarctic governance relies on evolving international agreements. The 1959 Antarctic Treaty dedicated the continent to peaceful, scientific use. The 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection expanded this scope, banning mining and requiring strict environmental assessments. Enforcement relies on mutual inspections by consultative parties, though lacking a police force creates vulnerabilities. UN agencies like UNEP provide vital environmental monitoring. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) manages marine life via the 1982 Whaling Moratorium, banning commercial whaling. However, enforcement loopholes highlight systemic limitations. Critical appraisal requires weighing preservation successes against enforcement weaknesses.

What earns the marks

• Explains the purpose and scope of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty in demilitarising the zone and promoting scientific cooperation.
• Evaluates the 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection, specifically its ban on mineral resource activity and rules for waste management.
• Assesses the role of the IWC and the 1982 Whaling Moratorium in protecting marine ecosystems, noting the challenges of enforcing the ban against nations claiming scientific exemptions.
• Critiques the systems for inspection and enforcement, highlighting that the Antarctic Treaty System relies on consensus and mutual inspections rather than a centralised legal authority.
• Analyses the contribution of UN agencies, such as UNEP, in providing global environmental oversight and integrating Antarctic science into global climate policy.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Stating that the UN directly governs Antarctica.

  Put it right: Clarify that Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) consultative parties, while UN agencies like UNEP provide monitoring and advisory support.

• Claiming the 1991 Madrid Protocol permanently bans mining forever.

  Put it right: State that the mining ban is indefinite but can be reviewed from 2048 onwards if requested by a consultative party.

• Assuming the IWC has a military or police force to stop illegal whaling.

  Put it right: Explain that the IWC relies on voluntary compliance, diplomatic pressure, and domestic laws of member states for enforcement.

Exam tips

• When critically appraising governance, always balance the successes, such as the absence of armed conflict, against the limitations, such as slow consensus decision-making.
• Use specific dates and formal names, such as the 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection, rather than vague terms like 'the environmental treaty'.
• Link the governance of Antarctica back to the concept of a 'global common' and the tragedy of the commons to demonstrate higher-level geographical understanding.