Solutions for Three kinds of Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Antarctica

EAP2, Writer’s Workshop
Thomas Leveret
June 18, 2008

Abstract

The topic of this research paper is solutions for environmental impacts of tourism in the Antarctic continent. It argues that the international society should make ceaseless efforts to protect the Antarctic environment from various kinds of environmental impacts of tourism. On this, there are three factors and their solutions for this argument. Three factors are the effects of physical factors, the effects of biological factors, and loss of non-material environmental value; accordingly, their solutions are to enact strong legislations against tourism, to tighten control of the quarantine system, and to give wider publicity throughout advertising media.










Outline

Solutions for Three kinds of Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Antarctica

Thesis: Humans should make ceaseless efforts to keep the Antarctic environment from various kinds of environmental effects of tourism, such as impacts of physical environment, impacts of biological environment, and loss of non-material value, because tourism in Antarctica should be one of the serious human activities on global warming.
I. Introduction
A. The most environmental place in the world..
B. Growth of tourists.
C. There are three environmental impacts of tourism.
1. The factor of the biological destruction.
2. The factor of the physical destruction.
3. Impacts on non-material environmental values.
II. Background
A. Tourism in Antarctica.
B. The regulations.
1. Explain the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO).
2. New Zealand Policy on Tourism and Non-Governmental Activities in
Antarctica.
III. Main Arguments
A. A strong legislation against the tourism.
B. To prevent from non-native species.
C. To keep non-material values.
D. Opposed to the theory of the environmental matters on Antarctica.
IV. Conclusion
A. Thesis restatement.
B. Causes and solutions briefly.
C. Constant efforts.







Solutions for Three kinds of Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Antarctica

The Antarctic continent, an incredible sightseeing place, would be regarded as one of the most noticeable sites in the world, because people visiting Antarctica have had a critical effect on altering its environment. "Since Lars-Eric Lindblad led the first traveler’s expedition to Antarctica in 1966, his model of expedition cruising is still followed today by the majority of people who travel to there by ship" (Schneider, 2006). On this, many scientists have warned that travelling to Antarctica would bring about a lot of environmental disasters; but in reality, we are having great difficulty in the world’s environment that has been associated with the destruction of Antarctica’s surroundings, either directly or indirectly. Tourism in Antarctica would be one of the greatest effects on its environment. Thus, Lamers (2005) established that there would be roughly three causes influencing on the environmental ruin: impacts on the physical environment, impacts on the biological environments, and impacts on non-material environmental values. An example of the physical environments is the pollution of marine and coastal regions as a result of oil or fuel spills and sewage dumped by ships. In biological terms, Rincon (2006) asserted, "one of the environmental impacts in Antarctica is non-native species that can hitch a ride on ships and planes carrying visitors and supplies, wrecking the continent’s unique ecosystems." According to Manaugh (2006), New Scientists announced "native species are already establishing themselves in what is one of the world’s last great wildernesses. On the other hand, a non-material value is the satisfaction that people get from knowing that an enormous wilderness area, or place with outstanding beauty, and exists and is protected from human encroachment" (Lamers, 2005). That is, people touring in Antarctica have induced a lot of fatalities on its environment. Consequently, many environmental organizations coming from the international society have been launched to make a step-by-step approach to a feasible plan for recovering Antarctica’s surroundings through collaborating on a project with related associations. Until that time, "the Antarctica and Southern Ocean Coalition has continued to call for the implementation and enforcement of an environmental protocol for Antarctica" (Manaugh, 2006). It seems that the international society has recently made the environment a top concern with an environment-friendly and long-term plan.

In this respect, humans should make ceaseless efforts to keep the Antarctic environment from various kinds of environmental effects of tourism, such as impacts of physical environment, impacts of biological environment, and loss of non-material value, because tourism in Antarctica should be one of the serious human activities on global warming.

Visitors have rapidly increased over a few decades. According to the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO)’s report, "in 2002/2003, 13,571 tourists visited Antarctica, compared with only 6,000 ten years ago" (Roper-Gee, 2003). Although it is quite difficult to visit Antarctica due to the costs, isolated area, and lack of development, more and more people are interested in touring in Antarctica. Schneider (2006) said, "the most important goal might be simply stepping foot on the Antarctic continent." Simply stepping foot on its continent had more serious tasks than humans realized. Meeting the huge risks of Antarctica’s environment, "in 1991, tourist operators in Antarctica have organized IAATO to promote safety and environmental responsibility amongst cruise operators; a very significant policy is that itineraries should be planned in such a way that no more than 10 people are ashore at a time at any one site" (Roper-Gee, 2003). "Humans have always supported responsible oversight of tourism but it is not up to IAATO, but rather countries under which the operators are flagged, to decide the rules" (Tickell, 2007) Also, in May 2003, "New Zealand’s government adapted a policy statement on tourism and other non-governmental activities in the Antarctic environment; the policy is based on a precautionary approach to protecting the fragile Antarctic environment" (Aorere, 2008). Moreover, the guidelines outline detailed procedures to be followed during the planning of the trip, when in the Antarctic Treaty area and on completion of the trip (Roper-Gee, 2003). Recently, the international society has taken a preventive measure and been trying to overcome a crisis in the Antarctic environment by observing its regulations thoroughly.

Firstly, the international society should strongly legislate against tourism in the Antarctic continent, until its environment can be recovered. In addition, the regulation should be high powered through adjusting and complementing; otherwise, the Antarctic environment can be impacted by humans activities. Roper-Gee (2003) stated, “rubbish and wastes from ships have also been a problem, as have unplanned visits to scientific bases… visits are becoming much better regulated, and impact has reduced in some areas.” Nevertheless, with any operation, accidents can occur with major consequences for the environment. Tickell (2007) said, “many ships are not ice-strengthened and the crews are not sufficiently trained to operate in this area. It is very dangerous and poses significant environmental threats.” Thus, the Antarctic continent should be authorized as a particular site; so, no one should be able to approach it, except those with peculiar demands. For instance, if tourists would violate the regulation, they should be given substantial damage for their reputation and properties. In other words, international society should firmly impose economic sanctions or give a severe penalty for violating the law; thus, humans need to have harsh regulations for recovering the earth at any cost. Therefore, a solution to the problem may lie in prohibiting entering the Antarctic continent. International society should pursue collaborative work with more strong regulations against thoughtless touring in the Antarctic continent.

Secondly, international society, which has faced complicated tasks in global warming, should put a plan into practice to preserve Antarctica’s ecosystem from the influx of non-native species, which have been brought by tourists. Rincon reports that scientists are calling for action to prevent foreign species from taking hold in Antarctica and destroying the continent’s unique ecosystems (2006). Indeed, "Rachel Clarke, senior environmental manager with the British Antarctica Survey, says that invasive alien species represent “huge potential problems” for native ecosystems" (Tickell, 2007). Namely, the destruction of Antarctica’s ecosystems has already been implemental stated by exotic species along with tourists and their supplies. Besides, "tourists can induce disturbance of wildlife and modification of wildlife behavior through the noise, trampling of nesting sites, and the presence of humans; also, they can do damage on vegetation, such as mosses and lichen, through trampling or vehicles" (Lamers, 2005). Accordingly, international society needs to enact an intensive international law to tighten control of the quarantine system, when someone is coming or going in the Antarctic continent. This way may retard the progress of the non-native species and shelter the native organisms in Antarctica. Also, humans should be able to assign special areas to protect and activate the original organisms in Antarctica. It can be a good example not only for saving the Antarctic environment, but also for studying its ecosystems. In a word, the primary aim for the aforementioned solutions is to protect the Antarctic environment from the influx of non-native species moved by humans.

Lastly, a non-material environment value would be one of the most significant matters in the Antarctic environment. Lamers (2005) explained, "it is for both the understanding of environmental risks, and decision-making about Antarctica that its values include aesthetic value, wildness value, science value, and intrinsic value, amongst others." In fact, people are not aware of the terrible effects that the ruin of the Antarctic environment could have, although it is generally accepted truth. Thus, one of the effective solutions would be to advertise intensively. It would be of great worth. That means that non-material environment must be given wider publicity throughout advertising media. This is because it would enable all people living in the world to recognize the environmental risk in Antarctica. More, humans can catch sight of the vivid and gorgeous landscape in their home through the satellites. "This value applies also to humans who have never been to the Antarctic continent" (Lamers, 2005). It can be one of the effective ways to reduce tourism in the Antarctic continent.

Some tourists, on the other hand, would argue that the anxiety about the impacts of tourism in Antarctica would be excessive and temporary phenomenon, and tourism in there should continue to work so that people who have intense aspirations toward visiting Antarctica should be satisfied by going. The IAATO announced, "the benefits derived from responsible tourism, such as better knowledge and appreciations of the region, are substantial. The wildlife-rich coastline, snow-covered mountains, glaciated landscapes, and extreme weather of this physically remote and magical part of the world lend this region remarkable wilderness and aesthetic value for the adventurous traveler" (2006). "Some voyages give you the opportunity to get intimate lectures and to talk one on one with true Antarctic explorers, and modern legend" (Schneider, 2006). Tourists who have visited Antarctica expressed that its beautiful landscape is beyond description.

In conclusion, the Antarctic environment has actually been confronted with a poignant environmental task that has occurred due to tourists, such as the effects of physical factors, the effects of biological factors, and loss of non-material environmental value. To solve the problems of the Antarctic environment, no matter how long it takes, the international society should make and maintain efforts throughout the cooperating business in obviously feasible plans that would regulate and control the tourism and its supplies, and disseminate a movement to enlighten people on the Antarctic environment. Furthermore, the international society would support the pressure groups’ activities on environment in each country. They would spread the environmental movement, advocate the assertion of the environmentalists, and manipulate the advertisements on the Antarctic continent. The Antarctic continent has already been one of the most inhospitable surroundings in the world. Consequently, humans certainly should overcome our significant matters for our descendants and be able to take a positive view on this task in the near future.



References

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Aorere, M. (2008, February 22). Antarctica : New Zealand Policy on Tourism and Non-Governmental Activities in Antarctica. New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade. Retrieved on June 10, 2008, from :
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