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Author
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Topic: Antarctica claims and future space resources
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SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-29-2015 02:24 PM
An array of countries are rushing to assert greater influence in Antarctica, with an eye not just toward the day protective treaties expire, but also for the strategic and commercial opportunities that exist right now, The New York Times reports. Instructive as it portends how countries may similarly approach colonization and claims on the moon and beyond. "The newer players are stepping into what they view as a treasure house of resources," said Anne-Marie Brady, a scholar at New Zealand's University of Canterbury who specializes in Antarctic politics.Some of the ventures focus on the Antarctic resources that are already up for grabs, like abundant sea life. China and South Korea, both of which operate state-of-the-art bases here, are ramping up their fishing of krill, the shrimplike crustaceans found in abundance in the Southern Ocean, while Russia recently thwarted efforts to create one of the world's largest ocean sanctuaries here. Some scientists are examining the potential for harvesting icebergs from Antarctica, which is estimated to have the biggest reserves of fresh water on the planet. Nations are also pressing ahead with space research and satellite projects to expand their global navigation abilities. |
mode1charlie Member Posts: 1169 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 12-29-2015 03:10 PM
Yikes! Depleting krill populations, the base of the food chain - what could possibly go wrong?I'm all in favor of commercial harvesting of space resources, but like in the Antarctic, it needs to have some accountability and regulation to prevent bad things from happening. |
moorouge Member Posts: 2454 From: U.K. Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 12-30-2015 07:37 AM
There was a report on the BBC in the last few days that suggested the current international space treaties/laws were out of date and new ones were needed to bring them more in line with current demands/needs of the world's nations. | |
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