The unique isolation and alluring void of human interaction that make Antarctica so appealing are rapidly being destroyed. After a sudden boom in early 2020, Antarctica has seen a rapid increase in tourism. In 2023, over 100,000 people visited the once desolate island, of which over 30,000 came on commercial cruises. Tourists are drawn to its towering icebergs, vast glaciers, and the opportunity to witness wildlife such as penguins, seals, and whales in their natural habitat.
Said influx of tourists brings with it a range of environmental challenges. One of the most pressing concerns is the inevitable pollution that boats and especially cruises bring with them to the island. Despite the permit required to visit and touch down on Antarctica, the sheer number of cruises or private ships that coast around the seas near the island have led to inevitable pollution of the water that is so essential to the ecosystem on Antarctica. Even small quantities of pollutants can have significant impacts on Antarctic wildlife, which has evolved in isolation and is ill-equipped to deal with human-induced threats.
Along with the water and land pollution that tourism brings, the carbon footprint associated with Antarctic tourism cannot be ignored. The journey to Antarctica involves long-haul flights and expeditions aboard cruise ships. These vessels emit greenhouse gasses that pose a direct threat to the Antarctic environment and put native wildlife at risk of extinction.
Tourism has also proven to disturb wildlife and disrupt breeding and feeding patterns. While there are guidelines in place to attempt to minimize the impact of human activities on animals, the sheer presence of tourists causes stress and disturbance to sensitive species. For example, loud noises from helicopters or drones can frighten nesting birds, leading to the abandonment of eggs or chicks.
As visitor numbers continue to rise, we must implement much stricter rules and regulations regarding travel to Antarctica in order to protect its fragile ecosystems. By implementing stricter regulations on private funded expeditions to the island and restricting tourism to an absolute minimum we can ensure that Antarctica can remain what it is and deserves to be: a safe haven from the human footprint.
