Conserving Our World: Conserving the Polar Regions (Conserving Our World)

In this book the author highlights the unique qualities of the polar regions - their dramatic climates, habitats and wildlife, and their wealth of resources. The author examines the remoteness of the Antarctic, where only research scientists live, with the Arctic regions, where people have lived for thousands of years, developing their own culture. Further chapters explore the threats now facing polar regions - marine pollution from oil slicks and toxic PCBs, waste dumping and atmospheric pollution that threatens the global climate. Acid rain, the Greenhouse Effect and the ozone hole are all explained. Another major threat to polar regions is the development of their wealth of mineral resources, including oil and gas. The book contrasts the development of Arctic regions with the protection given to Antarctica under the Antarctic Treaty - but for how long? While the future of polar regions remains uncertain, Barbara James provides examples of positive conservation measures - including treaties to protect polar bears, and fish stocks in the Antarctic, and efforts to minimize the environmental impact of the Trans-Alaska pipeline. Greenpeace's model World Park base in Alaska is also described here.