“Should the ban on mining, oil and gas extraction in Antarctica

be lifted?”

Researching this topic

Where is Antarctica? Antarctica is a continent, just like Australia, South America or Africa are continents.

Antarctica is located all around the South Pole.

There is no natural human population in Antarctica, the only continent with no natural human population.

Some explorers and scientists live in Antarctica temporarily, but conditions are too severe to support a permanent human population.

What is Antarctica like?http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/antarctica%20environment/whats%20it%20like%20in%20Antarctica2.htm

Browse the above web site. It will give you an easy overview of what it is like in Antarctica.

What resources are in AntarcticaAntarctica is a very large continent. There are, more or less, the same kinds of mineral resources in Antarctica as there are on any continent.

Oil, natural gas, coal, gold, diamonds, and others are all to be found in the continent or under the seas next to it.

Only Antarctica has no grasslands or forests, so none of those resources.

Minerals in Antarctica

Where is Antarctica? Here is a link to an important web site resource.http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/science/threats_mining_oil.htm It will tell you some things about coal, oil and gas.

It will also tell you about the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, and the Madrid Protocol. These agreements banned mining in Antarctica up to the year 2041.

However, now that the price of oil is rising, some countries can see profit if they make the effort to go get the oil. These countries would want to Cancel the above agreements, amend them, or get them to expire.

Different opinions about mining in Antarctica, and the treaties that prohibit itConsider the following cards. They represent a range of opinions on this topic. Maybe they will give you some ideas.

Tourist

Tourists want to visit Antarctica because it is the last untouched wilderness on earth. You oppose any mining because it will ruin the natural beauty that tourists come to see. Tourists do not want to see open mines scaring the landscape or development of mining infrastructure. Look at the tourism section for more information on tourism in Antarctica.

Mining Company

Mining companies support the lift on the mining ban because they want to explore the area for mining opportunities. Many minerals and energy sources have run out or are running low, so mining in Antarctica could solve this problem. Mining could be done using more environmentally friendly techniques.

Conservationist

You think that the Antarctic Treaty should be upheld and no mining should be allowed on Antarctica. Once mining starts the environment will be ruined forever, affecting the landscape and wildlife which are already threatened with extinction. Look at 'conservation' in the politics section of the website for more information.

Scientist

You think scientists should be left in peace to study Antarctica to help in the world's global problems like climate change and sea level rise. If mining took place, science would cease to become the most important activity on Antarctica and important studies that could help everyone may be put in jeopardy. Look at 'science' in the politics section of the website for more information.

Industrialist

You support the move to lift the ban on Antarctic mining. Your business uses iron ore to produce paints, fillers in plastics and drying agents. Without iron your business will fold. There are many other industries that require minerals that will run out soon. Antarctica can help solve the world's shortage of minerals.

Government representative

Your country previously supported the Antarctic Treaty ban on mining. But with the decline of many minerals and energy sources over the last 40 years your country cannot function properly unless new sources of these minerals and energy sources are found.

Country Connections to the topic

China• Has no territorial claims in Antarctica• Is a rapidly industrializing and growing economy• Requires incredible amounts of oil and coal to feed

its expanding economy• Would really like to be able to exploit the coal and oil

of Antarctica

Country Connections to the topic

India• Has no territorial claims in Antarctica• Is a rapidly industrializing and growing economy• Uses less coal and oil than China, and has closer

access to Middle-Eastern oil• Requires large amounts of oil and coal to feed its

expanding economy• Has alternatives to Antarctic resources but if China

starts getting access to these than so will India wan to be able to exploit the coal and oil of Antarctica

Country Connections to the topic

Japan• Endlessly dependent on importing oil and coal• The economy uses less coal and oil than China• Looks for cheaper sources of these resources• Wants unrestrained access to whale hunting and

fishing in Antarctica waters• Willing to support a lifting of the ban on resource

exploitation if Japan will get to hunt whales and have unlimited fishing access to these waters

Country Connections to the topic

USA• Has no territorial claims to Antarctica• Does not want China to get their hands on the

resources of Antarctica• USA has lots of access to its own other oil and coal

supplies, though when these sources begin running low the USA may start looking to Antarctica

Country Connections to the topic

Canada• Very much opposes drilling for oil or digging for coal in

Antarctica• This is because Canada digs a lot of coal and drills for a lot of

oil in Canada itself, and sells it at high prices to countries like China

• Canada is good friends with both China and the USA, which means Canada might support either China or USA

• May support China and say yes to lifting the ban• May support USA and say no to lifting the ban

Country Connections to the topic

Norway • Has territorial claims to Antarctica, based on

exploration over 100 years ago• Would like to have its territorial claims approved of

by all other countries• Would like to secure mineral and oil rights in

Antarctica• However, is a very environmentally responsible

country and is more likely to want to preserve the natural environment of Antarctica

Country Connections to the topic

Argentina • Is located closest to Antarctica, next to Chile• Is most likely to benefit from oil and coal exploitation from

Antarctica, even if they don’t themselves drill• Argentina would benefit by serving as a base from which oil

and coal companies could base much of their operations• Argentina also wants to take control over the Falkland Islands

from the United Kingdom. Argentina may work a trade for taking the Falklands, but keeping the treaty, or not getting the Falklands but voting to remove the treaty

Country Connections to the topic

United Kingdom• Possesses the Falkland Islands and South Georgia

Islands, very far south in the Atlantic Ocean• Has territorial claims in Antarctica• Does want to keep the treaty ban in place

Country Connections to the topic

New Zealand• Claims a large piece of Antarctica• Is a very environmentally friendly and responsible

country• Is a strong supporter of protecting whales and

dolphins from hunting• Always supports protecting the environment

Country Connections to the topic

France• Claims a narrow slice of Antarctica• Plays a very political international game• Willing to vote yes or no on the treaty question,

depending on what France will gain for itself from doing so

Country Connections to the topic

Australia • Has the largest territorial claim of Antarctica, almost

half of the landmass• Would have most of the oil and coal resources in its

claimed territory• Generally an environmentally friendly country, but ...• Australia does dig out a sell a lot of coal from its own

country• Would gain a lot of wealth if it could also get oil and

coal from Antarctica

Country Connections to the topic

Chile • Is located closest to Antarctica, next to Argentina• Is likely to benefit from oil and coal exploitation from

Antarctica, even if they don’t themselves drill• Chile could benefit by serving as a base from which

oil and coal companies could base much of their operations

• Chile could service companies from the Pacific area