Sara Clemences’s essay on Antarctica captures its ethereal beauty, but with a sobering message. She urges readers to halt their travels to this vulnerable ecosystem before irreparable damage is done. In her article in The Atlantic, she highlights the stark contrast in visitor numbers. While only a few hundred people traveled to Antarctica annually four decades ago, the most recent tourist season welcomed over 100,000 visitors, mainly arriving on cruise ships. Clemence views this as “last-chance tourism” – a desire to witness a disappearing place, even if it contributes to its demise. This escalation in tourism is facilitated by the warming climate, which melts sea ice and extends the cruise season.
Clemence emphasizes that overtourism is not a new issue, but Antarctica’s status as a global commons sets it apart from any other destination on Earth. She describes the continent as a unique, wild, and tranquil landscape that deserves special treatment. Unfortunately, tourism in Antarctica is minimally regulated, resulting in the development of luxury camps in once pristine areas. For those who dream of visiting Antarctica, Clemence urges them to reconsider and remove it from their bucket list. She believes that individual decisions can make a profound impact, and preserving Antarctica’s untouched state is an opportunity to do so. (Read the full essay.)
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