Travel to Antarctica once seemed like it involved the most complex logistics on the planet. In the last decade, it’s become much more widespread; there are even glamping options available for some would-be visitors. But it isn’t all scenic landscapes and friendly penguins; one of the many effects of climate change has been to cause some of the continent’s glaciers to melt.
The environmental threats posed by “extreme and unpredictable weather” have prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a travel advisory for the continent. Early in the warning, the agency in question notes that visitors to Antarctica have a big problem if they need the government’s assistance. “There are no U.S. government consular services available to U.S. citizens in the Antarctic Region,” the agency states.
This warning is designated Level Two on the agency’s four-point scale, which translates to “Exercise Increased Caution.” Much of the advice offered by the State Department is practical advice for anyone traveling to a remote location, including getting insurance for your trip and finding a reliable guide. (The State Department mentions the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators by name.)
Traveling to Antarctica With a Clean Conscience
It’s more important than ever that we keep the White Continent as wild and pristine as possibleThere’s been a lot of coverage of extreme weather in Antarctica in recent years, which has made an already-challenging environment even more harsh. The continent has also been the site of what Virginia Tech biologist Jeb Barrett called a “weather whiplash,” where a region experienced a dramatic uptick in temperature during a traditionally cold time, in a 2024 paper. It’s an unsettling time for Antarctica, and an unpredictable one for people traveling there.
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