The Many Impacts Human Activities Have in Antarctica

• Published in: Frontiers for Young Minds
• Main Author: Arata, Javier A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Frontiers Media SA 2023
• Subjects: General Medicine; Southern Ocean; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/frym.2023.1040881; https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2023.1040881/full

Although Antarctica is the most remote continent in the world, humans have had an impact there ever since the early 1800s. The first explorers were hunting seals and whales, which had decreased in number elsewhere. It was not long before seal and whale populations in Antarctica also suffered. To protect the continent and the surrounding Southern Ocean, several international agreements were signed and implemented. Despite this protection, Antarctica is under new pressures due to the growing numbers of visitors and the effects of climate change. In this article, I will describe new evidence showing how human activities are affecting Antarctica and I will also highlight some of the challenges faced in trying to protect this remote and fascinating continent.