Responsible tourism in Antarctica

Should I visit Antarctica?

When it comes to responsible tourism in Antarctica, many environmentalists would argue that the only truly green course of action is... not to go. In many long-haul destinations, responsible tourism can play a huge role in community development and conservation which we believe offsets the environmental cost of flying – but with no permanent inhabitants, this is not the case in Antarctica. So – how can the flight be justified?

Although activities south of the polar circle are highly regulated, Antarctica remains at the mercy of activities taking place thousands of miles to the north. The climate crisis is without doubt the biggest threat facing Antarctica. Temperatures have risen here much faster than across the rest of the globe – by almost 3°C in just 50 years.

As the fringes of the continent hover around freezing, these few degrees could mean the difference between ice and no ice – and for wildlife this is a very important difference indeed. Glaciers are rapidly retreating and an estimated 25,000km² of ice has vanished. Rising sea temperatures affect the tiniest of sea creatures such as krill – and effects on their numbers are seen all the way up the food chain to seals and whales. Native plants are thriving in places that have previously been too icy to take root in and the chances of non-native plants joining them, unbalancing the fragile ecosystem, is rapidly increasing.

But while it is true that a flight to Buenos Aires, Ushuaia or Antarctica will contribute to the climate crisis, so will every other flight you take, every car journey you make and every bit of food you eat that has travelled from a distant farm. They all contribute to the melting of polar ice, and they all also contribute to the altered rainfalls, drought and hurricanes across the world as a whole. So it is wrong to link your Antarctic flights exclusively with the melting poles – and it is equally wrong to ignore all the other carbon emissions you create when thinking about how to reduce your impact on Antarctica.

This leads us to the dilemma that every traveler to the poles faces. There is no easy alternative to flying and – unlike other choices we can make in our lives (choosing renewable energy over fossil fuels, Fairtrade over regular coffee, and local over shipped-in food) – there is no magic low carbon aviation fuel available right now.

With a lack of alternatives, it is also remarkable, given the importance of global warming to all our futures, that no effective global mechanism to ensure CO² levels are reduced has ever been implemented. The Paris Agreement climate treaty has prompted some progress, but the most polluting nations aren’t making changes fast enough to avoid the worst consequences of climate change.

So the choice is left to you as a personal one: to go or not to go?

What you can do

“Seeing a place free of pollution, garbage and hunters was fantastic and helped shape my opinions on environmentalism.” – our traveler Stephen Kohn about his Antarctic vacation
Most of our customers who have travelled to Antarctica have described themselves as deeply moved by its peace and pristine landscapes. Climate change, nature’s fragility and the urgency of protecting it suddenly hit home, and an expedition to Antarctica really can prove to be life-changing. In a land where there are no local voices to shout about their cause, tourists have an important role to play as representatives and ambassadors for this final wilderness.

There is also the worrying prospect that the Antarctic Treaty System can be tweaked in 2048, potentially allowing nations waiting in the wings to lay claim to parts of the continent which, under the rapidly melting ice, is a platter of mineral and fuel resources. Tourism could prove to be an economic benefit that incentivises protecting Antarctica from mining.

But for now, if you do decide to go to Antarctica, perhaps the most pressing question is: what changes can you make in your life to reduce your carbon footprint and lobby for effective global regulation of carbon?

You can also read more on our founder Justin’s thoughts on whether we should travel to Antarctica.