Human Impacts on Antarctica
Antarctica is often thought of as a pristine land untouched by human disturbance. Unfortunately this is no longer the case. For a little more than 100 years people have been travelling to Antarctica and in that short time most parts have been visited and we have left more than just footprints. Human impacts include:
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So what is being done...?
Environmental audits are now carried out around bases, on land and in the sea to assess the impact that the base and its activities is having on the area around it. Any activity is bound to have some degree of disturbance to the environment, vehicle exhausts, wildlife disturbance, waste of various types being produced. Waste of all kinds is returned to the country of origin wherever possible.
An increasing number of bases are using alternative energy sources, the Australian Mawson, Belgian Princess Elisabeth, New Zealand Scott and US McMurdo bases all have wind powered electricity generators - a fairly obvious choice for one of the windiest places on earth! But problematic as the wind is so strong so often that the wind turbines are at risk of damage.
Protected areas are being set up with various levels degrees of protection, no vehicles allowed, limitations to annual visitors, or even no people allowed at all in some cases.
Expeditioners are now educated far better about protecting the environment, expeditioners, tourists and other visitors to Antarctica are now guided by codes of conduct.
Environmental audits are now carried out around bases, on land and in the sea to assess the impact that the base and its activities is having on the area around it. Any activity is bound to have some degree of disturbance to the environment, vehicle exhausts, wildlife disturbance, waste of various types being produced. Waste of all kinds is returned to the country of origin wherever possible.
An increasing number of bases are using alternative energy sources, the Australian Mawson, Belgian Princess Elisabeth, New Zealand Scott and US McMurdo bases all have wind powered electricity generators - a fairly obvious choice for one of the windiest places on earth! But problematic as the wind is so strong so often that the wind turbines are at risk of damage.
Protected areas are being set up with various levels degrees of protection, no vehicles allowed, limitations to annual visitors, or even no people allowed at all in some cases.
Expeditioners are now educated far better about protecting the environment, expeditioners, tourists and other visitors to Antarctica are now guided by codes of conduct.