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Antarctica Can be Protected with Treaties

The total continent of Antarctica, from its massive mountains to the seas replete with blue whales, emperor penguins and leopard seals, is, by means of international agreement, classified as a wilderness preserve. This agreement has been in effect since 1998. Plus, mining and oil drilling have been banned in this region for 50 years. This is the coldest place on Earth and is the most pristine ecosystem around. Conservation is the foremost concern regarding policy in Antarctica. The accord also bans a great number of potential dangers to its wildlife, such as dogs and pesticides.

The continent is protected through the Environmental Protection Protocol to the Antarctica Treaty. In this protocol, every major nation in the world is required to refrain from developing anything industrial or commercial in one area. In 1991, the 26 biggest nations of the world approved the bill, including Brazil, the nations of Europe, China, India, Japan, Russia, Argentina, and the United States of America, among others.

Prior to the signing of the treaty, lobbyists from environmental organizations had worked for fifteen years to discuss and formulate the regulations outlined in the accord. The rules said that the 35 scientific outposts had to clean their dumps and pick up their garbage and oil and mining was banned. Further, tourist vessels and scientific stations are prohibited from discharging raw sewage into the waters surrounding Antarctica.

The first person to get to the South Pole was Norwegian Roald Amundsen in 1911 and he used sled dogs to get around. The accord, however, prohibits any dogs on the continent, as penguins and other native fowl have been killed by pets belonging to researchers. Pesticides, non-sterile soil and polystyrene packaging are not allowed to be brought into Antarctica either.

There is a sheet of ice covering the land that averages approximately one mile in thickness. The land is only seen near the shores where some plant life survive, like moss and grass. The ice on the continent accounts for 70% of the Earth's fresh water. In the waters that surround the continent, seals, fish, aquatic birds, and whales thrive.

For all of its harshness, the ecosystem of Antarctica is very fragile. Due to the constant below zero temperatures, any growth if slow. Any disturbance of the environment can take years to recover from. Fore example, even a footprint on a moss bed can remain the same for a decade.

The original treaty, which was signed in 1959, also banned any military activity and nuclear testing near the Arctic area. Rules for research were established and Antarctica was declared to be owned by no nation. Antarctica isn't owned by anyone at all, but there isn't an area that doesn't have some sort of national presence.

When scientists reported the discovery of oil, coal, gold, zinc, iron, uranium, manganese, and copper, among other minerals, environmental organizations started fighting to establish laws to protect Antarctica early in the 1980's. In the 1970's during the energy crisis, several companies even started discussions about the feasibility of Arctic drilling. With the price of oil going up and technology becoming more advanced, it's possible that further interest will be felt.

The twenty-six nations that formed the agreement will independently enforce the regulations. If the country's government refuses to intervene when its citizens violate the rules, the other nations would apply pressure to solve the issue. There are many people who see this accord as an environmental success story.

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