“Should the ban on mining, oil and gas extraction in Antarctica be lifted?”

1. “Should the ban on mining, oil and gas extraction in Antarctica be lifted?” Researching this topic

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. What resources are in Antarctica Antarctica 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

5. 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, andthe 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.

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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