Antarctica, Earth’s last great wilderness, is experiencing unprecedented pressure from human activity. Visitor numbers have jumped from fewer than 8,000 annually in the 1990s to over 124,000 in 2023–24, with projections suggesting up to 450,000 by 2034. Last season, 118,491 tourists traveled to the region, more than 80,000 setting foot on the continent. Most arrived on smaller expedition vessels, allowing landings, while others observed from ship decks. Despite IAATO guidelines limiting shore visits and enforcing biosecurity checks, each trip generates an average of 5.44 tonnes of CO₂ per passenger, highlighting the growing environmental impact.
Pollution and Environmental Damage
A four-year study by researchers from Chile, Germany and the Netherlands found that in areas of human presence, toxic metals like nickel, copper, and lead are now ten times higher than four decades ago. Tourism disturbs wildlife, tramples delicate flora, and raises the risk of invasive species and disease. Black carbon from ships, aircraft, and diesel generators darkens snow, increasing heat absorption and accelerating melting. Scientists estimate that a single tourist can contribute to the melt of around 100 tons of snow, while research missions can have ten times the impact. Measures such as hybrid ships, regulated landings, and wildlife-watching rules have been introduced, but experts warn that only a rapid transition to renewable energy and significant cuts in fossil fuel use can sufficiently protect Antarctica’s fragile ecosystems.
