The boom in commercial tourism in Antarctica, with nearly 50,000 people visiting each year, according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), is threatening the ecosystems of Antarctica. As a result, the abertis foundation is organising a scientific conference with a round-table discussion on "The Effects of Tourism in Antarctica", to be held this afternoon (4.30 p.m.) in Barcelona at the Francisco Godia Foundation (Diputación, 250).

The aim of the conference is to explore the latest developments and research in this area over recent months and to present the data from the research on the "Assessment of the environmental impact of commercial tourism on Antarctic ecosystems", undertaken by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the abertis foundation, which took place during the Third International Polar Year, from March 2007 to March 2009.

The research team for this study has chosen Deception Island to launch a campaign in 2011 aimed at integrating various indicators of human activity into a long-term monitoring plan. The Integrated Human Activity Monitoring System on Deception Island is one of the topics that will be covered in today’s scientific discussion. Coincidentally, this year, Spain holds the presidency of the Antarctic Specially Managed Area of Deception Island (ASMA No. 4), through the Polar Committee, which is home to some of the most visited places in Antarctica.

Over the winter, the research team has worked on obtaining data to monitor the impact of human activity in Antarctica. It has evaluated the effects of trampling of moss (the dominant vegetation in these ecosystems) by groups and has concluded that just 20 footsteps are enough to affect the more waterlogged bryophyte meadows. In addition, waste has been found on some beaches, which serves as an indicator of boat activity, mainly fishing vessels. 

A significant change for 2010 has been the ban on the use of heavy fuel oil in polar waters by cruise ships, due to the risk of accidents and oil spills that have difficulty in evaporating. The new regulations will have a major impact on the tourism industry as of next season, as they will affect one third of operators, say the research team. Some operators will opt to replace heavy fuel oil with light fuel oil, but many will stop sailing around Antarctica, thus reducing its future tourism potential.

Environmental impact of tourism in Antarctica

The study on the "Assessment of the environmental impact of commercial tourism on Antarctic ecosystems" found that the main impacts of tourism in Antarctica stem from the environmental cost of travel in CO2 emissions: each visitor generates approximately 4.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the annual energy consumption of a European home with three inhabitants. Maritime transport generates 56% of the emissions, while air transport is responsible for the remaining 44%. Other, lesser – though increasingly important impacts – include changes in the soils of the area, changes in the behaviour of the fauna and flora, invasive species and global warming. There is also the added risk of maritime accidents, such as that of the MS Explorer cruise ship in 2007.

 These data are taken from the research on the "Assessment of the environmental impact of commercial tourism on Antarctic ecosystems" conducted by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the abertis foundation. The study was coordinated by Doctor Javier Benayas, Professor of the Ecology Department of the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) and Doctor Martí Boada, Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA) of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and the Scientific Council of the abertis foundation.

The panel held today at Francisco Godia Foundation will be formed by doctors Javier Benayas and Martí Boada, Andres Barbosa, research professor at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid, and Juan Kratzmaier, tourist expedition leader in Antarctica. The session will be moderated by Tomás Molina, journalist and meteorologist of Televisió de Catalunya. The event will also feature the participation of Antonio Martínez Cattaneo, Spanish diplomat to the Antarctic Treaty, and Sergi Loughney, Director of the abertis foundation. Today’s conference is the foundation’s main contribution to World Environment Day, which will take place on 5 June.

The Abertis Foundation

The abertis foundation fosters and promotes the study of the impact of major infrastructure on the land, especially in demography, economy and the environment. As one of the Corporate Social Responsibility responses of abertis, the international group that manages infrastructure for mobility and telecommunications, the foundation also runs a comprehensive Road Safety Programme.