Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 01/21/2008 - 10:03
Forums
Antarctic Weather Stations

Kirk,

 

Last week during the webinar my students had a couple of questions but class ended before they could ask them.  They were both interested in the impact of tourism on Antarctica and how tourism fits into the treaties that protect the continent for scientific study.  They were aware of cruise ships that take people down there but they were wondering if:

 

1.  Do the tourists have any negative impact on the environment and the wildlife?

 

2.  Has anyone proposed creating tourist accommodations (resorts) on the continent?

 

I told them that this topic was outside the focus or your scientific work but we discussed the fact that your journal makes it sound like such an exciting and inviting place that it must also attract non-scientists.

 

Whale photo?

 

Since Lollie  as well as the teachers who were on the Oden last year, described seeing Minke whales, my guess is that you photographed one in the ice channel created by the Oden this year. 

 

Have fun and keep making memories!

 

Jeff Peneston

Liverpool High School

Liverpool, NY

Fri, 01/25/2008 - 11:59

Kirk Beckendorf

Hey Jeff and StudentsI just returned from several days at WAIS Divide, more about that later in the Journal section.
Great questions that caused me to start asking some questions, that’s a good thing!!! Some of what I found out is that, the number of tourists visiting The Ice is increasing each year. The majority are ship based but others just fly over, there are also a few adventure tourists. Approximately 37,000 tourists the past year came to Antarctica compared to 4000 scientists and science support people. Approximately 35% of the tourists are from the US- which is the most from any one country.
Many of the cruise ship companies that come down here, belong to an organization which does promote responsible behaviors from both the cruise line and the tourists. However there is basically no regulation of this industry, and a company can come down here without following any of the recommended guidelines. The Antarctic Treaty does not really address the tourist issue.
Certainly there is concern on the impact tourists are, and will have, on the animal life and on the environment in general. Most tourist go to particularly scenic areas and areas with large amounts of wildlife (areas which may be most sensitive to large amounts of people). However most of the tourists are also only off their ship for a few hours, but they tend to concentrate in certain areas. There is also concern about pollution from the ships themselves either accidental oil spills or otherwise. There are also safety concerns if a ship gets into trouble, as one did recently. Who is expected to rescue them?
One argument for tourism, is that the people who come here tend to be educated and concerned about the environment. It is also argued that they will return home as a bigger advocate of environmental and Antarctic protection.
There is an adventure tour company, Adventure Network International which does have an on continent base camp at a location called Patriot Hills. Tourists fly there from S. America and can then go on a number of different adventures. They have a website which you can check out.
Ecotourism is becoming a big thing in many places and can threaten the areas the tourists are seeking to enjoy. Antarctica is in a unique situation since there is no government control over what can be done and for the most part, where one can go.
I think this topic lends itself to be a great classroom lesson. Having students research the topic of "ecotourism" in Antarctica, or elsewhere, and have a classroom debate regarding the pros and cons/ ethics of such tourism. Another brainstorming thought... have students develop a set of guidelines for tourism in Antarctica, or other environmentally sensitive areas.
Hope this helps, thanks for the questions that made me start thinking.
Mr. B.

Fri, 01/25/2008 - 12:05

Kirk Beckendorf

Very good at making connections, one of the things that science is all about. Yes the whale I saw at the ice edge was/is a minke whale!!!