The number of tourists heading to Antarctica has been skyrocketing. From fewer than 8,000 a year about three decades ago, nearly 125,000 tourists flocked to the icy continent in 2023–24. The trend is likely to continue in the long term.
Unchecked tourism growth in Antarctica risks undermining the very environment that draws visitors. This would be bad for operators and tourists. It would also be bad for Antarctica – and the planet.
Over the past two weeks, the nations that decide what human activities are permitted in Antarctica have convened in Italy. The meeting incorporates discussions by a special working group that aims to address tourism issues.
About two-thirds of Antarctic tourists land on the continent. The visitors can threaten fragile ecosystems by:
- compacting soils
- trampling fragile vegetation
- introducing non-native microbes and plant species
- disturbing breeding colonies of birds and seals.
Even when cruise ships don’t dock, they can cause problems such as air, water and noise pollution – as well as anchoring that can damage the seabed.
It’s clear that Antarctic tourism is a completely unsustainable proposition. But I’m regularly surprised by how few people imagine that they personally are implicated when they take part in any given practice that is unsustainable at scale. It’s as if people see their actions as happening in a vacuum.
I once met an Antarctic tourist. I admit that I listened with interest to their breathless story of glass-clear water and whales you can touch and so on. But I also felt a bit of disgust too.
regularly surprised by how few people imagine that they personally are implicated when they take part in any given practice that is unsustainable at scale. It’s as if people see their actions as happening in a vacuum.
But that’s nearly everything we do, from dog ownership, through car ownership, flying, using AC etal
I once met an Antarctic tourist. I admit that I listened with interest to their breathless story of glass-clear water and whales you can touch and so on. But I also felt a bit of disgust too.
I feel the same way when people extol me with tales of their holiday destinations around the world when they fly, or even dog ownership
Back on topic, I long wanted to go to Antarctic, my sisters been but I am sure I could not live with the self loathing.
dog ownership dog ownership
This sure sounds like your bugbear! It’s because they eat lots of meat? What if (devil’s advocate) the dog were owned in replacement of a child?
I’d love to visit antartica which is why I won’t, it won’t survive humans
Thank you
deleted by creator
