Conflicts of Interest in the Use of Antarctica

Abstract

Examples of the impact of antarctic science on political processes and the achievements obtained through scientific efforts are noted: the discovery of the ozone hole; the detection of background levels of pollution; reading the climate record stored in ice cores; and the importance of the antarctic region in global climate changes. Notwithstanding these successes, conflicts in interests have surfaced: exploitation of renewable and non-renewable natural resources; tourism; national sovereignty over portions of Antarctica; international politics; the quantity and quality of scientific output. These aspects are briefly examined.