National Geographic: Antarctic Wildlife Adventure Page #4

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The Antarctic Treaty

which has worked to protect

the polar region for three decades

may be reviewed next year.

Some countries are

interested in exploring

for oil here or for minerals.

Already there is an agreement for

exploitation that the

treaty nations are considering.

Some think offshore drilling

for oil is certain,

and that that is going to mean the

greatest change yet for Antarctica.

Oh, we are next to the

first area actually where

oil will be exploited next to this...

and maybe this one will die covered

with oil, maybe not.

Or maybe he will be starving

very hungry,

because there will be no more food.

After that will be our children.

Meanwhile,

building goes ahead especially

on King George Island

the Damien II's final destination.

If you look at what's

happening at Rothera...

what's happening here.

This is the first steps in

opening the place up.

That's for sure.

To what, I don't know.

The rest of the world is still

over the horizon,

but it seems to get closer everyday.

Frontiers are wild places.

Once we thought they were all

savage and needed conquering.

This one doesn't seem

so savage anymore.

Before it's conquered

it may be worth asking what the

conquest would mean,

and perhaps we should ask too,

what will happen to the explorers

indeed to all of us,

when the frontiers are gone.

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