Question

Assess the human impact on Antarctica.

Hint:

When writing about environmental impacts, focus on both direct activities (tourism, research stations) and indirect causes (global warming, industrialization).

Answer 1

Antarctica, once untouched by humans, now reflects the impact of human activity. Scientific expeditions, research stations, tourism, and exploitation of resources have disturbed its pristine environment. Human activities contribute to pollution and introduce waste materials that are hard to manage in extreme cold. Most significantly, global warming caused by industrialization and carbon emissions worldwide is melting the ice sheets and glaciers of Antarctica, leading to rising sea levels. These activities threaten not only Antarctica’s delicate ecosystem but also the future of the planet, as it plays a key role in maintaining global climate balance.
Final Answer: Human activities such as tourism, pollution, and global warming are severely affecting Antarctica, leading to melting ice, rising sea levels, and damage to its fragile ecosystem.