Antarctica, the planet’s last great wilderness, is under increasing pressure from human activity. Visitor numbers have skyrocketed 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. During the 2024–25 season, more than 118,000 tourists traveled to the region, with over 80,000 setting foot on the continent. While the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) enforces guidelines, including biosecurity checks and limits on shore landings, each tourist trip still generates an average of 5.44 tonnes of CO₂, adding to the environmental strain.
Pollution and Melting Snow
A study in Nature Sustainability shows that human activity has raised toxic metal levels, such as nickel, copper, and lead, tenfold in frequently visited areas. Tourism and research missions disturb wildlife, trample fragile plants, and increase the risk of invasive species and disease. Black carbon from ships, planes, and generators darkens snow, reducing its reflectivity and accelerating melting. Researchers estimate that a single tourist can contribute to the loss of around 100 tons of snow, while a scientific mission can have ten times that impact. Despite measures like banning heavy fuel oil and using hybrid ships, scientists warn that only a rapid transition to renewable energy and cuts in fossil fuel use can meaningfully reduce the human footprint and protect Antarctica’s fragile ecosystems.
