Antarctica – A Strategic Asset?

Abstract

It's 1999 and as we rapidly head towuds the new millennium the management of global issues require the pro-active participation of all members of the intemational community. Growing strains on the quality of water, soil and air, loss of biodiversity, depletion of fish stocks, current patterns of production consumption and global climate change, all raise questions about the continued capacity of the Earth's natural resource base to feed and sustain a growing and increasingly urbanised population. It's now clear also clear that not only environmental, but also social, cultural and political sustainability of development efforts are essential for security and well-being of people functioning in this complex, interdependent global system now emerging. Globalisation is marked clearly by the integration of trade; finance and information that is creating a single global market and culture. The rapid advancements in science and technology has also contributed enormously to the realisation of the global village. This process of globalisation is currently challenging the Antarctic Treaty System. With this, many questions are being raised as to whether the ATS is capable of weathering these changes to emerge as a significant contributor to a unified global identity. The vision for the future is a sustainable earth. The race is against time and Antarctica holds the key for the doorway into the next millennium. In this presentation you have an opportunity to reflect on the complex perception of value as we explore four assets that may contribute to the strategic value of Antarctica in the 21" century and beyond. These assets include: It's 1999 and as we rapidly head towuds the new millennium the management of global issues require the pro-active participation of all members of the intemational community. Growing strains on the quality of water, soil and air, loss of biodiversity, depletion of fish stocks, current patterns of production consumption and global climate change, all raise questions about the continued capacity of the Earth's natural resource base to feed and sustain a growing and increasingly urbanised population. It's now clear also clear that not only environmental, but also social, cultural and political sustainability of development efforts are essential for security and well-being of people functioning in this complex, interdependent global system now emerging. Globalisation is marked clearly by the integration of trade; finance and information that is creating a single global market and culture. The rapid advancements in science and technology has also contributed enormously to the realisation of the global village. This process of globalisation is currently challenging the Antarctic Treaty System. With this, many questions are being raised as to whether the ATS is capable of weathering these changes to emerge as a significant contributor to a unified global identity. The vision for the future is a sustainable earth. The race is against time and Antarctica holds the key for the doorway into the next millennium. In this presentation you have an opportunity to reflect on the complex perception of value as we explore four assets that may contribute to the strategic value of Antarctica in the 21" century and beyond. These assets include: