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Did you know the antartida lacked a flag until 2002, when the members of the Antarctic Treaty established an emblem and a flag representing the entire Antarctic continent? At this meeting held on May 20, 2002, the different Contracting Parties of the famous Antarctic Treaty, decided to choose the common flag for the continent, as well as to incorporate and review more measures related to said Treaty.
In this Green Ecologist article we offer information about the Antarctic Treaty: what it is and what it establishes, highlighting some of its main initiatives for the preservation and cooperation in the "white continent", including issues focused on the governance of protected areas and species, as well as in areas related to tourism and the growing impact that this unleashes on conservation of the delicate and valuable ecosystem of Antarctica.
What is the Antarctic Treaty
The Antarctic Treaty emerged as an important Antarctica conservation and protection project, turning it into a peaceful and unarmed continent, in which the exploitation of its natural resources is prohibited. This treaty was signed in Washington on December 1, 1959, although it did not enter into force until June 23, 1961.
Today, the Antarctic Treaty is endorsed by 50 countries, although during its establishment was signed only by the 12 countries that they had developed until then some type of activity in the white continent. These twelve countries were:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Belgium
- chili
- France
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Norway
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- U.S
- Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (the USSR)
Thus, the Antarctic Treaty was added to the various international treaties that already existed, recognizing in it the importance of Antarctica as a continent that must be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, contributing to scientific knowledge and international cooperation, never to be a scene or object of international discord.
In the next section we will see in detail the main measures that are included in the valuable Antarctic Treaty.
Image: Bas (British Antarctic Survey)
What does the Antarctic Treaty establish
With a vision focused on political, environmental and operational aspects, the action measures established by the Antarctic Treaty are collected in the following fundamental points:
- The main objective of the Antarctic Treaty is to promote and ensure peaceful use of Antarctica, without militarization operations of any kind; such as carrying out military maneuvers or testing with weapons.
- Freedom of the scientific investigation in the "white continent" and the cooperation of the Contracting Parties (signatory States of the Treaty) in this scientific field, facilitating the exchange of personnel, information and scientific results on Antarctica.
- Nuclear explosions and the dumping of radioactive waste related to the use of nuclear energy are prohibited.
- The participation of the Contracting Parties in consultative and special meetings, proposed with the ultimate aim of promoting and ensuring the application of the objectives and provisions of the Antarctic Treaty, is mandatory. Said Treaty conferences were held every two years, from its entry into force in 1961 until 1994, after which the frequency of the conferences is annual.
- The representatives of each Contracting Party are assigned "observers" with the function of carrying out the different inspections proposed in the Treaty, such as the inspection of stations, facilities, equipment and vessels; as well as the different embarkation and disembarkation points for personnel and cargo in Antarctica.
- The area of application of the Treaty must ensure the protection and conservation of each and every one of the living resources that find their natural habitat in Antarctica.
In this way, the Antarctic Treaty seeks to achieve an adequate balance between the use of the white continent and its protection, thus achieving a sustainable and ecological development promoting, in turn, the scientific and cultural progress of humanity.
The thaw of Antarctica
To finish this informative article about what the Antarctic Treaty is and what it establishes, we want to offer information on the thaw of Antarctica.
Among the most current data available to the public we find that, although the Antarctic Treaty exists, what happens in the rest of the planet, of course, also affects this area. The waters of the Antarctic region have been warming for decades at a rate higher than the global average. The Southern Ocean has warmed at a rate of 0.17 ° C since the 1950s and the global average is 0.10 ° C, so the ice at the South Pole is melting faster.
To find out more about this environmental problem and the situation in Antarctica, we recommend reading these other articles by Ecologist Verde:
- Antarctica suffers the consequences of global warming.
- Consequences of the melting of the poles.
- Data on the melting of the poles.
If you want to read more articles similar to Antarctic Treaty: what it is and what it establishesWe recommend that you enter our category of Projects, associations and NGOs.
Bibliography- Antarctic Treaty system. Chilean Antarctic Institute (INAH).
- EFE Verde Drafting Team (04/29/2014) Tourism worries the Antarctic Treaty countries. EFE Magazine: Green, Sustainable Development.
- Laso, E. S. (04/25/2014) Brasilia will host the annual meeting of the Antarctic Treaty from Monday. EFE Magazine: Green, Biodiversity.
- EFE Drafting Team: Green (05/23/2017) China calls for a "balance" between the protection and use of Antarctica. EFE Magazine: Green, Climate & Energy.
