Attack on the Antarctic

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/28/business/energy-environment/28green.html?_r=1&ref=environment

This article talks about increased international concern for Antarctica that was sparked by the sinking of a cruise ship in the region. As tourism in Antarctica grows, the environmental harm is beginning to show and both activists and scientists are concerned about the effects that human contact will have on the natural environment. So now, states are attempting to strengthen regulations to protect the habitat – with new rules such as only allowing 100 passengers to disembark a vessel at a time and forcing ships to use lighter fuels (causing many cruise lines to cancel their routes).

The Antarctica problem is being effectively and quickly addressed by the international community. Because it is a shared international space, with clear benefits for each state to maintain the habitat, countries were willing to take fast action to protect it. Also, the Antarctica region has a very high profile – with its lovable penguins and majestic ice floes – and therefore, it is newsworthy and will grab the attention of the general public. It might be hard for the average person to care about the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (which they can’t see the effects of or understand), but the suffering of a baby penguin is a very real and touching story. The protection of Antarctica is also being supported by many different actors, which is helping it to be more effective. Nations are addressing the issue, as well as scientists, environmental activists, and even the International Maritime Organization.

The quick and effective actions in the Antarctica case are potentially replicable and definitely give hope to the environmental fight. The actions could be replicable if the next problem is presented with the same international and emotional appeal as Antarctica was. Without widespread support from nations and the actual interest of their constituencies, it will be very difficult to replicate this success. However, as more regulations are created to protect the Antarctic region and tourism is being controlled, a sliver of hope should emerge for environmentalists – it certainly did in me.