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"A symbol of purity. Stronghold of nature, nature rules, humans are denied access. Pure, beauty, rich wildlife, natural drama," 28yo British single male |
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About the Author
Ricardo Roura is a free-lance environmental geologist. He has spent eight summers and one winter in Antarctica studying the impact of human activities, usually on unofficial expeditions. He is based in New Zealand. About the Quotes
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Antarctica as it is today reflects the ongoing clash of a wilderness continent with a conquering introduced species -- human beings.
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"A common inheritance for all of us," 30yo Japanese single female |
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On a positive note, the last six years witnessed a dramatic move from the path of exploitation to that of conservation with the signing of the Protocol of Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Madrid Protocol). However, the future of Antarctica remains uncertain. In the short term, specific actions will have to be taken by Antarctic Treaty Parties and national legislatures to ensure the final ratification and adequate implementation of the Madrid, and these will be critical to ensure environmental safety for the future.
Both historically and currently, people have looked to and valued Antarctica for many different reasons: a source of seal blubber, the point where all meridians converge, the geomagnetic pole, pieces of territory shaped as slices of pizza, gaps in scientific knowledge, an ideal nuclear waste dump, a nuclear-free land of peace and science, fish, mineral reserves, a laboratory to monitor global change, whale meat, a booming tourist market, or an excuse to have an adventure and write a book about it. There must be more, though, judging by the fact that Antarctica continues to exert a deep influence on the individuals that travel there. It may be that the intrinsic values of Antarctica are important because they bring us closer to our "ancestral environment", not physically closer, but closer to the way people felt then. |
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"Let it be remote and desert without us having the need to exploit it," 30yo Dutch single female |
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There was a time (not necessarily idyllic), when the world had a small population of people who lived in small isolated communities and depended on each other to survive in a harsh environment, which nevertheless was the centre of their universe and was, in some way, revered. This is not far removed from the conditions in which people live and work in Antarctica today.
There is a kind of symbiotic relationship between the Antarctic Treaty and Antarctica as a protected wilderness; i.e., the peace ensured by the Treaty would more likely disappear if Antarctica were not a protected wilderness: There would be a scramble for the exploitation of its resources and the assertion of territorial claims; sooner or later, this would lead to the collapse of the Antarctic Treaty and armed conflict. Likewise, if there were no Antarctic Treaty system set in place to endure that Antarctica remains an area devoted to peace and science, there would be little environmental protection and the Antarctic wilderness would be destroyed. Maybe the future of Antarctica will rely on this duel protection. |
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"Our hope and effort must be here - I am deeply touched," 20yo Dutch divorced male |
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On an individual level, the conservation of Antarctica will not come by imposing regulations only. It will become a reality when there is a change in the attitudes and culture of Antarctic operators, when they cultivate a higher appreciation of nature, and when people believe in what they should do, or refrain from doing.
What matters now is to ensure a sound future for the Antarctic wilderness, so that the heart of Antarctica-the intrinsic values that make it special-remain unchanged, forever. Then Antarctica will continue to be like a miracle for those who set foot there, a dream of dreams for those who stay away, a source of inspiration and hope for humankind, and an essential part of the earth. |
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Section's Cover Picture: Antarctic Peninsula
Top Picture: King Penguins await the arrival of Antarctic tourists. King penguins are very large, grey backed penguin with black face and Next Picture: Gentoo Penguin with chicks - Wilson Harbour, South Georgia Island. The gentoo is a large penguin with white patch over top of head and orange or yellow sides to bill and feet.
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Next Page: The Continent's Origins |
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Quotes Survey Percentages
89% or 24 crew members replied the survey. The average age was 35.7 years old. The crew was mostly male (71%), West European/USA(84.8%), knew English as their first language (48%) and were single (46%). On average they had 4.6 years of active involvement in the environmental movement, and 63% had previous Antarctic experience. |
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The Explorers |
The Continent |
The Treaty |
The Adventure
OneWorld Index | OneWorld Subscribe | About OneWorld Text © Ricardo Roura - All Rights Reserved - Picture Credits © Wade Fairley; Picture Locations: South Georgia Is., Antarctic Peninsula, Southern Ocean - Reproduction or redistribution of this article or pictures is strictly prohibited without permission - Web Production and Design © 1996 OneWorld Magazine - OneWorld Site is hosted by The EnviroLink Network - Read Important Information |
Unlike any other continent on earth, Antarctica did not have native peoples, and although the continent was suspected to exist, it was not discovered, explored, OR populated until some two hundred years ago. The influence of human activities that take place in Antarctica and elsewhere is changing the appearance and future of the continent. The rate and type of change threatens to change forever the intrinsic wilderness values of Antarctica: beauty, isolation, extremes, and diversity.
As we continue to move towards more "advanced" forms of exploitation of the natural environment, it is somewhat ironic that the wilderness values of Antarctica, and what they mean to the planet and the human spirit, are protected by the bureaucracy of the Antarctic Treaty. In a changing world where the population is burgeoning, consumption is increasing, and technology allows for more exploitation of resources, these values would otherwise disappear.
Penguins are flightless sea birds living on fish caught underwater. They swim effortlessly, low in the water, using large flippers for propulsion, and can survive at sea for long periods. On land they stand upright and walk or hop awkwardly. They must come ashore to molt. New feathers grow quickly. Most nest on islands of southern oceans but a few breed in Antarctica.