should it be developed ?

Aims-

Why is Antarctica important?

Rank these factors in order of importance! 1 being most important

• Antarctica has important minerals stored under the ice

that we may need to use in future, like oil, gold and coal• It contains 75% of the Earths fresh water• It reflects heat energy from the sun back into space and

thus reduces global warming!• Its waters contain massive stocks of Krill which may be

the answer to global food shortages• Its ice can be tested to show past levels of global pollution• It is the only natural landscape left in the world• It could be the safest place to dump nuclear waste as it is

away from humans• It is the only place where certain penguins, whales and

seals can live. Without it these animals would be lost!!!!

Task – fill in the table using the role cardsFor/ against developing

What they think

Greenpeace

WWF supporters

conservationists

miners

Antarctic explorers

scientists

Tourist companies

Antarctica-should we develop?

What are the arguments for and against developing Antarctica?

World oil supplies are running out. Antarctica could keep cars running and bring down petrol prices.

Do you want to carry on driving your car?

Then let us find oil!We will abide by strict agreements not to pollute the environment

Do you want to solve food shortages?

Then let us fish!

Antarctic waters are the richest on earth. Lessons have been learned since whales were nearly wiped out. Catches will be limited to make sure fishing is sustainable.

Arguments for development

Tourists visit in summer - mid-Nov - early March, when the Antarctic peninsular gets just above freezing. There is less ice and more visible wildlife.

Cruise ship voyages - 10 days/weeks. Most (except largest ships, 500+ passengers) go ashore.

• $6,500 - $20,000/person. (Length of tour & accommodation)• Depart - from Ushuaia, S Argentina – for Antarctic peninsular. • New Zealand/Australia- for East Antarctica - $11,500 -$35,000• Yacht charters. (8 passengers) - $3,000/day, or 1 month $12k.

Costs

Tourism is good!

Tourism does good, not harm. Only 100 are allowed at a time, for 1½ hours! More people see Antarctica’s unspoiled beauty and want to preserve it. No rubbish is left.

Wouldn’t you like to go?

Scientific research must be allowed!

Very few scientists live there permanently. In the winter they go back home.

Scientists

Global warming

Antarctic ice goes back 650,000 years. Drilling tells us about climate history so we can understand global warming. We need to see if ice is melting to predict sea level rises.

Ozone layer

Antarctic scientists found the hole in the ozone layer.

Antarctica is a giant fridge. Under the ice are prehistoric lakes & fossils, frozen in time. We haven’t begun to learn what they could teach us about the earth’s history.

Antarctica should be left as it is ‘the world’s last wilderness

Emperor Penguin

Adelie penguin

Humans disturb our home, they affect our

breeding and they bring strange things and

watch us!!!!

Humans are taking my fish food from the ocean, what if

they take it all?

There may be oil supplies under the Ice, we are short of

oil so why not use it?

Oil prices are rising, if there is oil there we

should use it to lower the price

There could be other minerals under the ice that would be useful to us!

This is our planet we have the right to go wherever

we want on it

Tourism can make money to invest in Earth

Task…Your task is to write your response to the question:

What should be the future for Antarctica?You need to set out the advantages and disadvantages of

developing Antarctica.You can choose to do this as a written response or a

poster. Try to make it INTERESTING!!!!Your work should include sections on:• An introduction to Antarctica – where is it? (Use the blank

outline maps to show this) What is it like? What kind of animals live there?

• Who owns it?• Which groups of people are FOR developing Antarctica?

Why?• Which groups of people are AGAINST developing

Antarctica? Why?• What do you think should be the future for Antarctica?

Homework Task• TO BE ASSESSED!!!!!!!!• Complete your work on

What should be the future for Antarctica?

To reach beyond

Give a balanced view of arguments and groups that are FOR and AGAINST development of Antarctica and justify why the groups hold their opinion

Give a detailed account of what you think- and explain why using evidence to back up your thoughts

Include images to illustrate views

To be achieving

Give arguments FOR and AGAINST development of Antarctica and justify why the groups hold their opinion

Explain your opinion and give reasons for your opinion

Include pictures

www.discoveringantarctica.org.uk

www.coolantarctica.com