Antarctica – ISE II

FAIL
Now listen again with the script.

Audio Player

Due to a number of factors there has been a steady increase in the numbers of tourists to Antarctica over the last 20 years. In 1987, less than 1000 people visited Antarctica whereas in 2002 this number grew to 25´000. In 2007, due to factors such as more economically viable travel and a trend towards ecotourism and adventure tourism,  Antarctica saw more than 40´000 visitors. But what are the effects of such a huge increase? Would the vast ice continent be better off without the presence of man?

Some say that the Antarctic ecosystem is too fragile to support tourism, and too many people will disrupt the delicate balance it has. It can take many years to recover, if at all. If larger ships come, tourist numbers will increase, and the problem worse will get worse.

Secondly, tourists, along with research scientists, may unknowingly bring seeds and spores of plants from other areas. As we have seen in other regions of the world, this can have dire consequences for the native wildlife.

Finally, there is the threat of pollution. For example, oil spills from the cruise ships and other methods of transport such as what happened in 2007 when a cruise ship hit an iceberg and spilled oil into the ocean..

However, there are also reasons to believe that increased levels of tourism can have a positive effect on the region. Some argue, for example, that there has been no conclusive evidence that tourism so far has disturbed breeding patterns of wildlife like penguins.

Moreover, there are many legal guidelines in place that minimise the environmental impact of tourism. In any case, tour operators have voluntary codes of conduct to minimise the impacts – including not going within five metres of wildlife.

Finally, the awareness of the unique environment is increased as people are able to visit it. If the tourists are allowed to learn about the marine biology and threats because of climate change, they may become ambassadors for the area.The more voices there are speaking on behalf of Antarctica if development or extraction of mineral resources is considered, the better. Remember this is a place where no-one lives permanently, so there are no native residents to speak up and defend it.

Now listen again with the script.

Audio Player

Due to a number of factors there has been a steady increase in the numbers of tourists to Antarctica over the last 20 years. In 1987, less than 1000 people visited Antarctica whereas in 2002 this number grew to 25´000. In 2007, due to factors such as more economically viable travel and a trend towards ecotourism and adventure tourism,  Antarctica saw more than 40´000 visitors. But what are the effects of such a huge increase? Would the vast ice continent be better off without the presence of man?

Some say that the Antarctic ecosystem is too fragile to support tourism, and too many people will disrupt the delicate balance it has. It can take many years to recover, if at all. If larger ships come, tourist numbers will increase, and the problem worse will get worse.

Secondly, tourists, along with research scientists, may unknowingly bring seeds and spores of plants from other areas. As we have seen in other regions of the world, this can have dire consequences for the native wildlife.

Finally, there is the threat of pollution. For example, oil spills from the cruise ships and other methods of transport such as what happened in 2007 when a cruise ship hit an iceberg and spilled oil into the ocean..

However, there are also reasons to believe that increased levels of tourism can have a positive effect on the region. Some argue, for example, that there has been no conclusive evidence that tourism so far has disturbed breeding patterns of wildlife like penguins.

Moreover, there are many legal guidelines in place that minimise the environmental impact of tourism. In any case, tour operators have voluntary codes of conduct to minimise the impacts – including not going within five metres of wildlife.

Finally, the awareness of the unique environment is increased as people are able to visit it. If the tourists are allowed to learn about the marine biology and threats because of climate change, they may become ambassadors for the area.The more voices there are speaking on behalf of Antarctica if development or extraction of mineral resources is considered, the better. Remember this is a place where no-one lives permanently, so there are no native residents to speak up and defend it.

Now listen again with the script.

Audio Player

Due to a number of factors there has been a steady increase in the numbers of tourists to Antarctica over the last 20 years. In 1987, less than 1000 people visited Antarctica whereas in 2002 this number grew to 25´000. In 2007, due to factors such as more economically viable travel and a trend towards ecotourism and adventure tourism,  Antarctica saw more than 40´000 visitors. But what are the effects of such a huge increase? Would the vast ice continent be better off without the presence of man?

Some say that the Antarctic ecosystem is too fragile to support tourism, and too many people will disrupt the delicate balance it has. It can take many years to recover, if at all. If larger ships come, tourist numbers will increase, and the problem worse will get worse.

Secondly, tourists, along with research scientists, may unknowingly bring seeds and spores of plants from other areas. As we have seen in other regions of the world, this can have dire consequences for the native wildlife.

Finally, there is the threat of pollution. For example, oil spills from the cruise ships and other methods of transport such as what happened in 2007 when a cruise ship hit an iceberg and spilled oil into the ocean..

However, there are also reasons to believe that increased levels of tourism can have a positive effect on the region. Some argue, for example, that there has been no conclusive evidence that tourism so far has disturbed breeding patterns of wildlife like penguins.

Moreover, there are many legal guidelines in place that minimise the environmental impact of tourism. In any case, tour operators have voluntary codes of conduct to minimise the impacts – including not going within five metres of wildlife.

Finally, the awareness of the unique environment is increased as people are able to visit it. If the tourists are allowed to learn about the marine biology and threats because of climate change, they may become ambassadors for the area.The more voices there are speaking on behalf of Antarctica if development or extraction of mineral resources is considered, the better. Remember this is a place where no-one lives permanently, so there are no native residents to speak up and defend it.

Now listen again with the script.

Audio Player

Due to a number of factors there has been a steady increase in the numbers of tourists to Antarctica over the last 20 years. In 1987, less than 1000 people visited Antarctica whereas in 2002 this number grew to 25´000. In 2007, due to factors such as more economically viable travel and a trend towards ecotourism and adventure tourism,  Antarctica saw more than 40´000 visitors. But what are the effects of such a huge increase? Would the vast ice continent be better off without the presence of man?

Some say that the Antarctic ecosystem is too fragile to support tourism, and too many people will disrupt the delicate balance it has. It can take many years to recover, if at all. If larger ships come, tourist numbers will increase, and the problem worse will get worse.

Secondly, tourists, along with research scientists, may unknowingly bring seeds and spores of plants from other areas. As we have seen in other regions of the world, this can have dire consequences for the native wildlife.

Finally, there is the threat of pollution. For example, oil spills from the cruise ships and other methods of transport such as what happened in 2007 when a cruise ship hit an iceberg and spilled oil into the ocean..

However, there are also reasons to believe that increased levels of tourism can have a positive effect on the region. Some argue, for example, that there has been no conclusive evidence that tourism so far has disturbed breeding patterns of wildlife like penguins.

Moreover, there are many legal guidelines in place that minimise the environmental impact of tourism. In any case, tour operators have voluntary codes of conduct to minimise the impacts – including not going within five metres of wildlife.

Finally, the awareness of the unique environment is increased as people are able to visit it. If the tourists are allowed to learn about the marine biology and threats because of climate change, they may become ambassadors for the area.The more voices there are speaking on behalf of Antarctica if development or extraction of mineral resources is considered, the better. Remember this is a place where no-one lives permanently, so there are no native residents to speak up and defend it.