that have signed the Antarctic Treaty
They have promised to invest in
the economic development of Antarctica.
B They have made a
commitment to preserve
Antarctica and its natural resources.
C They have decided to focus their efforts only on protecting marine
life.
They agree that tourism in and around Antarctica should be carefully
regulated
By the 1940s, seven countries had laid claim to territory in Antarctica. Some of those territories overlapped, and some countries would not
recognize the claims made by other nations. There was no agreement about who held authority.
By the mid-1950s, however, scientists were eager to
use Antarctica as a base for international research. The research teams who participated in the massive 67-nation scientific project known as the
International Geophysical Year demonstrated how the icy continent could be shared. Beginning in 1957, they worked together to
establish coastal bases and inland stations in Antarctica. From these bases, they made valuable discoveries about the atmosphere, oceanography, and
many other topics. Their success inspired 12 countries, including Argentina, Chile, Great Britain, France, and the United States, to create the Antarctic
Treaty in 1959. This was the first document outlining how each nation would use the continent. The treaty went into effect in 1961.
Even though the Antarctic Treaty was negotiated by a dozen countries with differing interests, the resulting document was simple. It stated that the
continent could not be used for military purposes. The main purpose for being on Antarctica would be to conduct scientific research. The treaty also
stipulated that countries had to provide advance notice of any Antarctic expeditions. In addition, the signers agreed to meet periodically to discuss the
goals of the treaty. At the time, no one could foresee some of the changes that would occur over the next 60 years.
Addressing New Issues
Since 1959, more countries have joined the agreement, and its objectives have been expanded. While the initial document focused on research
and keeping the peace, later documents covered the protection of marine life in and around Antarctica.
In 1991 another agreement reinforced the original intent of the treaty while adding that activities such as mining, drilling, and exploration of
minerals would be banned indefinitely. Combined, these additional documents now make up the Antarctic Treaty, and 54 nations have signed the
agreement. But new concerns need to be addressed, including the increased presence of humans in this once untouched wilderness.
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Based on the information in paragraphs 4 and 5, the reader can conclude:
B. They have made a commitment to preserve Antarctica and its natural resources.
The summary of the Antarctic Treaty and subsequent agreements indicates a focus on scientific research, peace, and the protection of marine life, as well as bans on activities like mining and drilling, which aligns with the commitment to preserve the continent and its natural resources.
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