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THE IMPACT OF TOURISM IN ANTARCTICA

THE IMPACT OF TOURISM IN ANTARCTICA. Dr Shaun Russell, Director, Wales Environment Research Hub, Bangor, UK. IAATO estimates that more than 40,000 tourists will visit Antarctica in the 2007-8 season. (IAATO - International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators).

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THE IMPACT OF TOURISM IN ANTARCTICA

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  1. THE IMPACT OF TOURISM IN ANTARCTICA Dr Shaun Russell, Director, Wales Environment Research Hub, Bangor, UK

  2. IAATO estimates that more than 40,000 tourists will visit Antarctica in the 2007-8 season.(IAATO - International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) Tourism to Antarctica is increasing rapidly (by 14% last year compared to the 6% annual growth in global tourism)

  3. Antarctic tourism: • Cruise ships (landing and non-landing) • Fly-cruise and over-flights • Small commercial and private vessels • Adventure tourism (climbing, skiing kayaking, diving etc) Patriot Hills Camp (picture courtesy IAATO)

  4. Some individual sites in Antarctica are receiving large numbers of tourists … e.g. 16,000 visitors to the historic site of Port Lockroy in the Antarctic Peninsula last year.

  5. Human Impacts in Antarctica • Ozone layer thinning • Greenhouse warming • Ice-melt • Ocean circulation changes • Disruptions to biological/ecological cycles

  6. Potential Human Impacts in Antarctica • Introductions of non-native species • Disturbance to animal and plant populations • Transmission of diseases

  7. Potential Human Impacts in Antarctica • Removal of “souvenirs” • Disruption of research activities • Aesthetic impacts

  8. Potential Human Impacts in Antarctica • Pollution • Maritime accidents MS Nordkapp grounding 2007 Photos courtesy Dr John Shears, British Antarctic Survey Bahia Paraiso fuel spill 1989

  9. Carbon Footprint The growing popularity of Antarctic tourism combined with predicted decreases in annual sea-ice extent is likely to stimulate more voyages to Antarctica by greater numbers of vessels. This would contribute to an increase in the “Carbon footprint” of Antarctic tourism.

  10. Antarctic tourists may already have a higher carbon footprint than most other tourists • Long-haul flights to reach ports of departure in the southern hemisphere. • Long-distance cruise legs. • Maintenance of high-energy “luxury” on-board environments to ensure client comfort in polar conditions. • Extensive use of small power boats for landing operations

  11. Current lack of knowledge There are as yet, few if any published analyses for the carbon footprint of cruise ship tourism …. (comparative figures below for a journey in Europe) www.climnet.org

  12. Antarctic tourists generally: • Value wilderness environments • Appreciate wildlife • Are environmentally concerned • Seek to gain further knowledge and understanding of the environment • Pass on this knowledge to others • Are good “advocates” for Antarctic conservation

  13. So shouldn’t the Antarctic tourism industry be leading the way and doing more to develop “green” operating standards? Challenge: not all Antarctic tourism enterprises are members of IAATO or abide by the protocols and codes of conduct observed by the majority of responsible operators

  14. Summary: • Antarctica is often cited as the last “pristine” and “untouched” wilderness on Earth • Tourism to Antarctica is increasing rapidly (by 14% last year compared to 6% annual growth in global tourism) • There is an increased potential for maritime accidents and damage to habitats • The “Carbon footprint” of Antarctic tourists may be higher than that for other tourists (research needed) • The industry could be doing more to improve its “green credentials”. s.russell@bangor.ac.uk

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