How is Antarctica used?

How is Antarctica used?

This frozen continent is key to understanding how our world works, and our impact upon it. Antarctica is important for science because of its profound effect on the Earth’s climate and ocean systems. BAS now operates five research stations, two Royal Research Ships and five aircraft in and around Antarctica.

Why are we not allowed to visit Antarctica?

Antarctica is not a country: it has no government and no indigenous population. Instead, the entire continent is set aside as a scientific preserve. The Antarctic Treaty, which came into force in 1961, enshrines an ideal of intellectual exchange. Military activity is banned, as is prospecting for minerals.

What are some of the human uses for Antarctica?

There are many human uses for Antarctica these include: Research-researching climate changes and environmental research – This would bother animals. Tourism – This would frighten the wildlife in Antarctica.

What was the main economic activity in Antarctica?

The exploitation of natural resources has been centred on the subantarctic and Antarctic seas and the coastal regions. From the late 18th century to the 1930s, whaling and sealing were the main economic activities in the Antarctic regions.

Why was the exploration of the Antarctic important?

For some expeditions, the search for new trading routes was the objective; for others, the objective was the opening of new fur-sealing grounds or the possibility of mineral riches. The exploitation of natural resources has been centred on the subantarctic and Antarctic seas and the coastal regions.

How are human activities affecting the environment in Antarctica?

Human activities that may have environmental consequences in the Antarctic have been well documented by several authors, most notably Benninghoff and Bonner (1985), who detailed the types of impacts caused by human activity and suggested ways to evaluate them in a scientific framework.