Question

Why has the world decided to exploit Antarctica commercially

Answer 1

Explanation:

Eighty percent of the planet's population, represented by their governments, have signed or ratified the Antarctic Treaty.

The treaty preserves all land and ice south of 60 degrees S, for the scientific study of the health of planet Earth. It's Marine Protocols also protect the Southern Ocean and its inhabitants in the same geography.

The reasons for this decision may have been both scientific and practical. Antarctica is too cold to support life, making commercial exploitation very expensive and impractical.