Despite the 1991 Madrid Protocols 50-year moratorium placed on the exploitation of Antarcticas natural resources, future economic and population pressures could pose significant environmental threats to the continent of Antarctica. An expected and dramatic increase in world demand for energy over the next 30 years may expose the continent to countries and markets looking for alternative Petroleum supplies. If Antarctica is indeed eventually opened for Oil exploration activities, which many believe it will be, the potential for oil pollution occurrences such as oil tanker spills, the dumping of waste oil, natural oil seeps and Well blowouts will rise substantially.
However, the Antarctic Treaty system currently in place offers the internationally-owned continent an opportunity to temporarily avoid such premature exploration activities. The continents usefulness as a scientific tool and international research station will continue to be taken advantage of and Antarctica will continue its important role in providing answers to the dilemma of climate change.