the impact of tourism in antarctica dr shaun russell, director, wales environment research hub,...
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THE IMPACT OF TOURISM IN ANTARCTICATHE IMPACT OF TOURISM IN ANTARCTICA
Dr Shaun Russell, Director, Wales Environment Research Hub, Bangor, UK
IAATO estimates that more than 40,000 tourists will IAATO estimates that more than 40,000 tourists will visit Antarctica in the 2007-8 season.visit Antarctica in the 2007-8 season.
(IAATO - International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators)(IAATO - International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators)
Tourism to Antarctica is increasing rapidly Tourism to Antarctica is increasing rapidly (by 14% last year compared to the 6% (by 14% last year compared to the 6%
annual growth in global tourism)annual growth in global tourism)
Antarctic Antarctic tourism:tourism:
Cruise ships Cruise ships (landing and non-landing)(landing and non-landing) Fly-cruise and over-flightsFly-cruise and over-flights Small commercial and private vesselsSmall commercial and private vessels Adventure tourism Adventure tourism (climbing, skiing (climbing, skiing
kayaking, diving etc)kayaking, diving etc)
Cruise ships Cruise ships (landing and non-landing)(landing and non-landing) Fly-cruise and over-flightsFly-cruise and over-flights Small commercial and private vesselsSmall commercial and private vessels Adventure tourism Adventure tourism (climbing, skiing (climbing, skiing
kayaking, diving etc)kayaking, diving etc)
Patriot Hills Camp (picture courtesy IAATO)
Some individual sites in Antarctica are Some individual sites in Antarctica are receiving large numbers of tourists …receiving large numbers of tourists …
e.g. e.g. 16,000 visitors to 16,000 visitors to the historic site of the historic site of Port Lockroy in the Port Lockroy in the Antarctic Peninsula Antarctic Peninsula last year.last year.
Human Impacts in AntarcticaHuman Impacts in Antarctica Ozone layer thinningOzone layer thinning Greenhouse warmingGreenhouse warming Ice-meltIce-melt Ocean circulation changesOcean circulation changes Disruptions to biological/ecological cyclesDisruptions to biological/ecological cycles
Potential Human ImpactsPotential Human Impacts in Antarctica in Antarctica
Introductions of non-native species Introductions of non-native species
Disturbance to animal and plant populationsDisturbance to animal and plant populations
Transmission of diseasesTransmission of diseases
Removal of “souvenirs”Removal of “souvenirs”
Disruption of Disruption of research activitiesresearch activities
Aesthetic impactsAesthetic impacts
Potential Human ImpactsPotential Human Impacts in Antarctica in Antarctica
PollutionPollution
Maritime Maritime accidents accidents
Bahia Paraiso fuel spill 1989
Photos courtesy Dr John Shears, British Antarctic Survey
MS Nordkapp grounding 2007
Potential Human ImpactsPotential Human Impacts in Antarctica in Antarctica
Carbon FootprintCarbon FootprintThe growing popularity of Antarctic tourism The growing popularity of Antarctic tourism combined with predicted decreases in annual combined with predicted decreases in annual sea-ice extent is likely to stimulate more voyages sea-ice extent is likely to stimulate more voyages to Antarctica by greater numbers of vessels. This to Antarctica by greater numbers of vessels. This would contribute to an increase in the “Carbon would contribute to an increase in the “Carbon footprint” of Antarctic tourism.footprint” of Antarctic tourism.
Antarctic tourists may already have a Antarctic tourists may already have a higher carbon footprint than higher carbon footprint than most other tourists most other tourists
Long-haul flights to reach ports Long-haul flights to reach ports of departure in the southern of departure in the southern hemisphere.hemisphere.
Long-distance cruise legs. Long-distance cruise legs. Maintenance of high-energy Maintenance of high-energy
“luxury” on-board “luxury” on-board environments to ensure client environments to ensure client comfort in polar conditions.comfort in polar conditions.
• Extensive use of small power Extensive use of small power boats for landing operationsboats for landing operations
Amsterdam to Oslo (918km):
g COg CO22 per passenger per passenger kmkm
Passenger trainPassenger train 4949
Vessel (Car Ferry)Vessel (Car Ferry) 7676
AircraftAircraft 126126
AutomobileAutomobile 170170
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)
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)
Current lack of knowledgeCurrent lack of knowledge
www.climnet.org
Antarctic tourists generally:Antarctic tourists generally: Value wilderness environmentsValue wilderness environments Appreciate wildlifeAppreciate wildlife Are environmentally concernedAre environmentally concerned Seek to gain further knowledge and understanding of the environmentSeek to gain further knowledge and understanding of the environment Pass on this knowledge to othersPass on this knowledge to others Are good “advocates” for Antarctic conservationAre good “advocates” for Antarctic conservation
So shouldn’t the Antarctic tourism industry So shouldn’t the Antarctic tourism industry be leading the way and doing more to be leading the way and doing more to develop “green” operating standards? develop “green” operating standards?
Challenge:Challenge:
not all Antarctic tourism enterprises are members not all Antarctic tourism enterprises are members of IAATO or abide by the protocols and codes of of IAATO or abide by the protocols and codes of conduct observed by the majority of responsible conduct observed by the majority of responsible operatorsoperators
Summary:Summary:
Antarctica is often cited as the last Antarctica is often cited as the last “pristine” and “untouched” wilderness on Earth“pristine” and “untouched” wilderness on Earth
Tourism to Antarctica is increasing rapidly Tourism to Antarctica is increasing rapidly (by 14% (by 14% last year compared to 6% annual growth in global tourism)last year compared to 6% annual growth in global tourism)
There is an increased potential for maritime There is an increased potential for maritime accidents and damage to habitatsaccidents and damage to habitats
The “Carbon footprint” of Antarctic tourists may be The “Carbon footprint” of Antarctic tourists may be higher than that for other tourists higher than that for other tourists (research needed)(research needed)
The industry could be doing more to improve its The industry could be doing more to improve its “green credentials”.“green credentials”.