3) Analysis

3.1 Different approaches due to ownership

 1958 – Signing of the Antarctic Treaty to halt all territorial claims to the continent.

 Different to management approaches such as Greenland because it is controlled by Denmark.

 Although there are similarities, Antarctica is not governed by single body or linked to any
organizations.

 Decisions are usually made by consensus of all 47 treaty member nations (Source: CIA Webiste)

 1991 – signing of the Madrid Protocol to prevent mineral exploitation ( Run out 2041)

 The protocol rose after scientists found large deposits of resources such as coal and oil reserves
in the 1980s.

 Antarctica used to be what is known as Gondwanaland which is said to be completely covered in

vegetation, potentially holding one of the largest oil fields yet to be discovered (Source:
www.eig.gov)

 This can be compared to the calls of oil exploration in ANWR (see figure 1) where no protocols
have been set up, so stakeholders have to make the decisions.
o It is relevant due to the fluctuations in the US oil prices. They have been hit by high
prices and exploiting oil in ANWR would leave to low prices.

 By examining the ANWR photo gallery, one can see the natural beauty of the environment, any
oil exploitation would destroy the fragile environment.

 However, one has to consider the positive consequences to the world’s largest economy based
on fossil fuels.