Threats to Antarctica arising from: climate change; fishing and whaling;…

The idea

Antarctica faces severe, interconnected threats from human activity. Climate change drives rapid warming, particularly on the western Peninsula, causing ice shelf disintegration, altering penguin habitats, and increasing ocean acidification. Commercial fishing, especially for krill and Patagonian toothfish, threatens the foundation of the marine food web, while historical whaling has left lasting impacts on cetacean populations. Although currently banned by the Madrid Protocol, the future search for mineral resources like coal and oil poses a catastrophic risk of habitat destruction and oil spills. Furthermore, the expansion of ship-based tourism and the infrastructure required for scientific research introduce invasive species, disturb breeding wildlife, and generate localised pollution.

What earns the marks

• Explain how climate change causes thermal expansion and ice melt, contributing to global sea-level rise and disrupting local ecosystems like Adelie penguin breeding grounds.
• Detail the impact of commercial fishing, specifically how over-harvesting krill removes the keystone species that supports whales, seals, and penguins.
• Discuss the historical legacy of whaling in the Southern Ocean and the slow recovery rates of species like the blue whale despite current moratoriums.
• Assess the threat of mineral extraction, noting that while the 1991 Madrid Protocol currently prohibits mining, future geopolitical pressures could challenge this ban.
• Evaluate the environmental footprint of tourism and scientific research, including the risk of introducing non-native species via ship hulls or footwear and the generation of waste.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Claiming that active mining is currently destroying Antarctica.

  Put it right by stating that mineral extraction is strictly prohibited under the Madrid Protocol, making it a potential future threat rather than a current one.

• Stating that tourism is entirely unregulated and highly destructive.

  Put it right by acknowledging the strict guidelines enforced by IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) which mitigate, though do not eliminate, impacts.

• Confusing Arctic and Antarctic climate threats, such as mentioning polar bear habitat loss.

  Put it right by focusing on Antarctic species like Emperor penguins and krill.

Exam tips

• Categorise threats into current (e.g., climate change, fishing) versus potential future threats (e.g., mineral extraction) to structure evaluation essays effectively.
• Use specific examples of targeted species, such as the Patagonian toothfish or Antarctic krill, rather than just referring to 'fish'.
• Acknowledge the paradox of scientific research: while essential for understanding global climate systems, the construction of bases and logistics inevitably causes localised environmental degradation.