With the recently adopted 50-year ban on mining and oil drilling in Antarctica , environmentalists are rejoicing. However, some think the pact could backfire. Without the possibility of some return, many nations may conclude that Antarctic research isn't worth it. The U.S. Navy, for instance, regularly pays for about one-fourth of all oceanographic research, much of it centered on the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. Antarctic says, "We've been living on a tripod --- geopolitics, future uses of Soviet Bloc and research, now three of the two legs have been taken away from us." Although proof of a nation's interest in Antarctica was their research effort there, many nations, particularly Antarctica , already find the research cost to be prohibitive and are cutting back.
With the recently adopted 50-year ban on mining and oil drilling in Antarctica , environmentalists are rejoicing. However, some think the pact could backfire. Without the possibility of some return, many nations may conclude that Antarctic research isn't worth it. Antarctic says, "We've been living on a tripod --- geopolitics, future uses of Soviet Bloc and research, now three of the two legs have been taken away from us." Although proof of a nation's interest in Antarctica was their research effort there, many nations, particularly Antarctica , already find the research cost to be prohibitive and are cutting back.