| While it is law in all twenty-six countries, each | | | | got there in 1911, he got around the continent |
| nation would enforce the regulations individually. | | | | with sled dogs. The accord, however, prohibits |
| This is kept in check by the other nations in the | | | | any dogs on the continent, as penguins and other |
| treaty applying pressure to the government to | | | | native fowl have been killed by pets belonging to |
| punish any transgression. That is why may people | | | | researchers. The treaty also bans non-sterile soil, |
| view the treaty as an environmental | | | | pesticides, and polystyrene packaging anywhere in |
| victory. When scientists reported the discovery | | | | Antarctica. The agreement ended the more |
| of oil, coal, gold, zinc, iron, uranium, manganese, | | | | than 15 years of diplomatic discussions and |
| and copper, among other minerals, environmental | | | | lobbying by environmental groups by codifying |
| organizations started fighting to establish laws to | | | | regulations. Not only was mining and oil exploration |
| protect Antarctica early in the 1980's. Discussions | | | | prohibited, it also specified that the 35 stations |
| about drilling for oil in Antarctica began in the | | | | operated in Antarctica would clean up their sites |
| 1970's during that decade's energy crisis. With | | | | and remove all disposed material. It keeps tourists |
| technology advancement and increases in the | | | | shops and scientific stations from discharging raw |
| price of oil, interest in these deposits will probably | | | | sewage into the surrounding waters. The |
| become more intense. Signed in 1959, the | | | | agreement in question is titled the Environmental |
| original Antarctic Treaty banned nuclear testing | | | | Protection Protocol to the Antarctica Treaty. The |
| and military activity in the area. Rules for research | | | | treaty is basically an agreement made by nations |
| were established and Antarctica was declared to | | | | of the world to leave this place free of all |
| be owned by no nation. No one nation can claim all | | | | industrial and commercial development. The treaty |
| of Antarctica but every inch is claimed some | | | | was approved in 1991 by 26 leading nations |
| country. You won't find a more environmentally | | | | including the United States, Russia, China, India, |
| preserved environment than Antarctica. Life | | | | Japan, Argentina, Brazil and most major European |
| grows very slowly at the continual below-zero | | | | countries who had interests in the |
| temperature conditions. Any disturbance of the | | | | area. Antarctica is a continent with immense |
| environment can take years to recover from. | | | | mountain peaks and oceans filled with emperor |
| Fore example, even a footprint on a moss bed | | | | penguins, blue whales, and leopard seals, and it is |
| can remain the same for a decade. There is | | | | protected as a wilderness through an international |
| land on Antarctica, but it's hidden under a mile of | | | | pact. This accord took effect in 1998, and |
| ice, and the amount of plant life found there is | | | | prohibits mining and oil drilling for at least fifty |
| minimal. The ice is made up of 70 percent of the | | | | years anywhere within the boundaries of the |
| freshwater of the earth. You can find a rich | | | | world's most frigid and pristine ecosystem. |
| ecosystem containing plenty of marine like and | | | | Conservation is emphasized over development |
| animals around Antarctica. When the first | | | | interests. Any wildlife threats, including dogs and |
| person to reach the South Pole, Roald Amundsen, | | | | pesticides are also forbidden. |