Abstract:
The Antarctic region is like no other place on Earth. It accounts for about 90% of the world's ice and it contains information about the past climate eras. The soil in this area is rich in minerals. The Antarctic is the only continent that has no nationality. Explorers, sealers and whalers were the first to arrive there in the past 250 years. Then with the new technologies, the race for the conquest of Antarctica began and territorial claims were established by seven nations. In 1959 The Antarctic Treaty brought peace and cooperation in the continent putting aside the sovereignty claims and was subsequently supplemented by various instruments, including its Protocol on Environmental Protection. But is this a real cooperation?
The suspension of the Protocol in 2048 is unlikely to succeed, but climate change, the entry of China in the Treaty and activities such as tourism, are seriously challenging the future of the Antartic Treaty.
