Antarctic Ice Melt Accelerated by Tourism and Global Fires

A new study reveals that increased tourism and carbon emissions from fires are hastening ice loss in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Research published in 'Science Advances' highlights the impact of soot from Southern Hemisphere fires and tourism on Antarctic ice melt.
The study shows that black carbon particles from fires in South America and emissions from Antarctic cruise ships contribute to accelerated melting.
Tourist ship visits to Antarctica have more than doubled over the past two decades, reaching 540 trips in the 2023/24 season.
The timing of peak soot concentration has shifted to November-February, coinciding with the Antarctic summer and increased tourism.
Lead researcher Newton Magalhães urges travel agencies to adopt emission-reducing technologies or limit tourist numbers to mitigate environmental impact.