Coronavirus at the end of the world: Antarctica matters

Abstract

The potential impact of coronavirus in Antarctica through tourism and scientific research as well as the Antarctic Treaty System is reviewed over three time periods. In the short term, to April 2021, Antarctic tourism and field-based research will be severely reduced. The impact on Antarctic governance means that few, if any, international meetings will take place thereby leaving discussions on issues, such as fishing quotas, uncertain. Looking to the medium term, to April 2024, polar tourism is unlikely to have recovered and may face collapse unless alternatives are developed. Scientific research, organised through National Antarctic Programs could be reduced due to the economics of a global recession. Moving to a long-term view of six years or so, in terms of scientific activity, this will be highly dependent on the role and status of science in society following the pandemic and the extent to which science funding gets drawn into the economics of the recession. It is unlikely that cruise tourism will have regained its previous volumes though fishing, especially if food security becomes a major issue, is likely to increase pressure on environmental management mechanisms. Both these aspects will continue to put demands on the Antarctic Treaty System and its ability to respond to a fast changing global situation. In this latter sense, it could provide valuable lessons, and also learn from, for other global agreements such as climate change and biodiversity.

SIOS’s Earth Observation (EO), Remote Sensing (RS), and Operational Activities in Response to COVID-19

“…SIOS-KC coordinates the services provided by SIOS for the international research community and ensures sustainability and maintenance of the network. The services offered include: (1) integration of the distributed research infrastructure and data to optimise the observing system, (2) access to the research infrastructure (SIOS ACCESS programme), (3) data management including storing and curating of scientific data (ground-based, airborne and spaceborne), (4) tools and support for scientists to make use of the extensive Earth observation (EO) and remote sensing (RS) resources available, (5) coordination of logistical services, (6) training and education programmes, and (7) information and outreach. EO and RS activities are important parts of the observing system as certain key data can be measured with satellite-based observations.…”

“…Several transnational access projects in the Arctic supported by EU-INTERACT (https://eu-interact.org/) have been affected during the field season in 2020 with around 120 scientists had to cancel their field campaigns. Frame and Hemmings [5] reviewed the potential impact of COVID-19 in Antarctica through tourism and scientific research over three (short-term, mid-term, and long-term) time periods. According to these authors, Antarctic tourism and field-based research will be severely reduced in the short term.…”

Tourism and heritage in Antarctica: exploring cultural, natural and subliminal experiences

“…During the process of undertaking the research described (2019)(2020), the COVID-19 pandemic has made a profound impact globally including on Antarctica. The medium and long-term implications of this in general, and specifically on Antarctic tourism, are very unclear and are likely to remain so for some time (Frame & Hemmings, 2020). The paper was written on the premise of a projected expansion of Antarctic tourism though the authors anticipate that this will change considerably.…”

The Impact of a Global Crisis on Areas and Topics of Tourism Research

“…[42,[60][61][62] Set the priority of tourism research Other crises cannot be ignored, such as Antarctic scientific expeditions and oil spills on cruise ships. [63,64] In this theme, scholars emphasized the importance of tourism research and education for the management of people's values, community goals, and government goals during the COVID-19 crisis, thus calling on scholars to play their role. Universities have always played a leading role in society.…”

“…Due to the global economic recession caused by COVID-19 and the diversion of research attention, some research on other crises that are occurring has been forced to stop or slow down. For example, Frame [63] reviewed the potential impact of COVID-19 on Antarctica through tourism and scientific research and the Antarctic Treaty System, and found that in the short term to April 2021, Antarctic tourism and field research will be greatly reduced. Likewise, Junior [64] found that due to COVID-19 and the economic crisis, efforts to understand and resolve the oil spill crisis off the coast of Brazil had to be stopped (or slowed down), leaving the ecosystem and society with no answers to determine the cause of the problem and understand how to mitigate its impact on the community and the environment.…”