On the southernmost continent, one can behold vast expanses of ice sculpted by the wind, resembling exquisite marble, while others glisten with a smooth, green emerald hue. Iconic sights such as icebergs, majestic whales, and regal emperor penguins grace the landscape. Visitors often describe the experience as otherworldly, magical, and grand. The renowned writer Jon Krakauer once remarked that the light in Antarctica is so captivating, it’s akin to being under the influence of a powerful drug.
People are drawn to Antarctica not only for its abundant wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and sense of adventure but also for what it lacks: automobiles, buildings, and cell towers. The overwhelming silence enveloping the continent is a topic of conversation among visitors. Norwegian explorer Erling Kagge even proclaimed it as “the quietest place I have ever been.”
Sadly, these very attractions are diminishing throughout the world, including Antarctica. The continent is steadily melting, with large chunks of ice prematurely breaking off and sinking into the ocean. Furthermore, the number of people visiting Antarctica is increasing due to the burgeoning tourism industry.
Just forty years ago, only a few hundred individuals would venture to Antarctica each summer. However, this past season saw over 100,000 visitors, with the majority arriving on cruise ships. While this may not seem like a significant number given the vast size of Antarctica, it represents a record-breaking 40 percent increase from the previous season before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Antarctic travel. Paradoxically, the very climate change that poses a threat to Antarctica is also making it more accessible for tourists, as melting sea ice extends the cruising season. Travel companies are scrambling to meet the demand, with several new ships being launched recently. Silversea’s luxurious Silver Endeavour, for instance, caters to time-conscious travelers by offering “fast-track” trips, enabling them to reach Antarctica directly in business class, thereby saving precious time.
The issue of overtourism is not a new phenomenon. However, Antarctica stands apart from any other destination on Earth. It is not merely an overcrowded national park; instead, it bears resemblance to the moon or an unexplored realm. It is a unique and solitary place, and given its pristine and untamed nature, it should be treated differently. Let us preserve this extraordinary and relatively untouched landscape as it is, the last remaining of its kind.
Visiting Antarctica demands a significant carbon footprint. Flights and cruises cover vast distances in extreme conditions, contributing to climate change, ice loss, and the peril facing whales, seals, and penguins. Estimates suggest that the carbon footprint from an Antarctic cruise is roughly equivalent to the annual carbon output of an average European individual. Cruise ships, known for their heavy pollution, coupled with the need for tourists to travel long distances, compound this issue. While most forms of travel carry some degree of environmental impact, Antarctic tourism surpasses them all in terms of carbon footprint, according to Yu-Fai Leung, a professor at North Carolina State University.
Furthermore, Antarctic tourism poses a direct threat to an already delicate ecosystem. Soot deposits from ship engines hasten snow melting. Hiking activities can damage plant life, which takes over a decade to regrow in such harsh conditions. The presence of humans risks the introduction of diseases and invasive species. It has also been discovered that penguins experience heightened stress levels due to human presence, potentially impacting their breeding patterns.
However, as tourism becomes more popular, companies are vying to offer high-contact experiences that exceed the mere observation of glaciers from a ship’s deck. For example, a luxury camp called White Desert has recently opened in Antarctica. Situated approximately 60 miles from the coast, near an emperor penguin colony, the camp can only be accessed via private jet. Guests, who pay a minimum of $65,000 per stay, are encouraged to explore the continent via plane, Ski-Doos, and Arctic trucks before indulging in gourmet meals with ingredients flown in from South Africa.
These trends are concerning. Recent studies indicate that less than a third of Antarctica remains untouched by human presence. Moreover, these pristine areas do not include the most biodiverse regions of Antarctica since, understandably, tourists prefer to avoid icy terrain. As more tourists venture further into the continent to escape the crowds and engage in a wider range of activities, these unspoiled areas will inevitably diminish.
While mining is prohibited in Antarctica, and ships are forbidden to use heavy fuel oil in its waters, tourism remains inadequately regulated. Tim Stephens, a professor at the University of Sydney specializing in international law, asserts that the existing rules are insufficient. Tourism governance lacks a central authority, and regulations vary among individual governments regarding operators, ships, and aircraft. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has established comprehensive guidelines for its members to adhere to, both out of genuine concern and to deter the need for external regulation.
Gina Greer, executive director of IAATO, states that the organization strives proactively to protect Antarctica. Visitors are expected to maintain a safe distance from wildlife, disinfect their shoes to prevent the introduction of unfamiliar bugs and bacteria, follow established paths, and more. Since tour operators frequently revisit the same locations, they can readily detect changes in the landscape or wildlife populations and alert scientists accordingly.
Recently, IAATO implemented a new “slow zone” in addition to those established in 2019. Ships are required to reduce their speed to 10 knots in this area, as whales have been congregating in greater numbers there. Greer expresses admiration for IAATO members’ ability to make challenging but necessary decisions for the benefit of Antarctica’s preservation.
Nonetheless, these practices primarily rely on voluntary compliance. Additionally, certain operators choose not to be members of IAATO. Despite best intentions, accidents can occur. In 2007, the MS Explorer, a 250-foot expedition cruise ship, sank near penguin breeding grounds on the South Shetland Islands, leaving behind a wreck and a mile-long oil slick. The majority of cruise ships are registered in countries known for lax oversight, which raises concerns about potential incidents and their consequences.
Modern-day tourists have been urged to reconsider visiting appealing destinations to alleviate overcrowding and environmental strain, such as Venice, Bali, or Big Sur. However, the situation becomes more complex when local communities rely on tourism to improve or sustain their livelihoods.
Take the Maldives, for instance, where a significant portion of the country lies just one meter above sea level. Aminath Shauna, the Maldivian Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology, notes how climate change poses an existential threat to their nation. They have no higher grounds to escape to, and within a few decades, the iconic overwater bungalows may be submerged. However, over 25 percent of the Maldives’ GDP is derived from tourism. Consequently, they plan on welcoming 1.8 million tourists this year, all of whom can only reach the Maldives by indirectly contributing to rising sea levels through plane or boat rides.
In contrast, Antarctica doesn’t face such a conflict. With no permanent human residents, it remains a place that primarily belongs to nature. That is why it is most valuable when left untouched, serving as a bulwark against climate change, a reservoir of freshwater, and a sanctuary for an array of bird species, whales, seals, fish, and even krill, the foundation of the entire marine ecosystem.
Some argue that tourists become ambassadors for Antarctica, promoting its protection and raising awareness about environmental issues. While this is a commendable sentiment, research suggests that, in many instances, Antarctic tourists may unintentionally encourage further tourism rather than meaningful conservation efforts.
Antarctica does not need ambassadors; it needs guardians. Restricting access to this land would signify its fragility and demonstrate its profound significance. Putting it at risk merely to provide awe-inspiring experiences for affluent tourists is not a worthwhile endeavor.
We must safeguard Antarctica, recognizing its immense value both ecologically and symbolically. Let us treasure this remarkable continent as the last remaining sanctuary of its kind and protect it from the harmful effects of overtourism.
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