A/42/427
English
Page 278
The meet cruel environmental threat comes from the environmental movement itself as we see the animal rights laws systematically destroy our way of life and violate our right as aboriginal peoples to our traditions and values. Yet our people, including the Arctic people, need development. The callenge is to find strategies for development that meet the needs of the people and the environment.
Roda Inuksu
Inuit Indian
WCED Public Hearing
Ottawa, 26-27 May 1986
96. Several suggestions along these lines have been made. They include establishing a fund to facilitate the participation of interested developing countries in Antarctic science, and inviting more scientists from developing nations to Join projects and visit scientific stations. Given the costly technologies involved in Antarctic science, possibilities should be explored for sharing Antarctic base and logistics capabilities with interested non-consultative states. The right to consultative status could be extended to states participating in scientific activities on a Joint basis.
97. As Antarctic activities multiply, sound conservation will also require increased data collection, monitoring. and environmental assessment. TLe interactive and cumulative effects of these projects must be carefully reviewed and areas of unique scientific and environmental value protected.
2. Anticipate Pressures for Mineral Development
98. Minerals of various kinds are known to exist in Antarctica, but the minerals talks have triggered false aseumptions about the imminence of their development. Even given the most optimistic growth trends, it seems clear that more accessible sources will be developed elsewhere long before Antarctica attracts major investment. Only two minerals have been found that might exist in concentrations suitable for exploitation – coal in the Transantarctic Mountains and iron in the Prince Charles Mountains. Mining them would be a fool's venture.[1] The costs would be prohibitive, and sufficient coal and iron can be found closer to the main markets.
99. Circumstantial evidence suggests the existence of offshore oil and gas; but no deposits have yet been discovered. The USSR, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, and the Federal Republic of Germany have surveyed Antarctica's continental shelves. The surveys were of a scientific nature. but, coinciding as they did with the first serious discussions of a minerals regime, were viewed by some observers as signalling commercial interests.
100. The IS Consultative Parties are conducting negotiations among theme-yes to complete an agreed legal framework for determining the environmental acceptability of possible minerals
- ↑ J.H. Zumberge. 'Mineral Resources and Geopolitics in Antarctica', American Scientist, January-February 1979: G. Pontecorvo. 'The Economics of the Resources of Antarctica'. in Charney, op. cit.
