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Tourism increase poses risk to Antarctica
Scientists said today in an international meeting in Edinburgh on threats to Antarctica that a boom in tourism to Antarctica is putting pressure on the world’s last great wilderness and must be carefully managed, with tourism having quadrupled to 32,000 visitors in the past eight years.
Tony Press, head of the Antarctic Treaty’s committee for environmental protection, said, “This meeting will be looking at the whole issue of tourism in Antarctica and how it is managed.” “We’re particularly looking at introducing measures to guide tourist activities at particular places to ensure there are minimal impacts on the environment.”
Mr Press said that that the greatest number of tourists visited Antarctica by ship, raising environmental and safety issues and the threat of alien species moving in.
Kim Crosbie, environmental operations manager for the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, said the association imposed strict requirements on its members within Antarctic Treaty guidelines, including inspections and briefings before, during and after trips.
During the 10-day Antarctic Consultative Meeting, about 300 scientists, diplomats and government advisers will discuss risks to Antarctica not only from tourism but also from global warming and commercial exploitation.
They hope the meeting will spur governments to pledge money for research during the International Polar Year covering the Artic and Antarctic which starts on March 1, 2007.
Chris Rapley, director of the British Antarctic Survey, told reporters, “Recent evidence indicates that regional melting, north and south, is taking place at a worrying rate, and faster than we thought.” “The consequence for the future of mean sea level alone justifies the polar regions as the subject of special scientific attention.”
Report by The Mole
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