Cold rush: The race to visit Antarctica

This episode of Living Planet explores the increasing tourism in Antarctica and its environmental impact. It features insights from writer Elizabeth Rush, who participated in a scientific mission to Thwaites Glacier, and Antarctic studies professor Ellie Lean, who expresses concern over the exponential rise in visitor numbers. The podcast discusses the regulations set by the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IATO), the potential for "Antarctic ambassadorship" among tourists, and the broader implications of emissions-intensive travel to this vulnerable region. It highlights the melting of Antarctic ice, its effect on global sea levels, and questions whether tourism to Antarctica can ever be environmentally defensible, urging a shift towards more sustainable and respectful practices.