Antarctic tourism is at an all-time high, growing from less than 7000 people in the early 90s, to upwards of 120,000 visitors in the 2025-2026 season. This rapid growth has been accompanied by tensions around the sustainbility of the sector, which few are more exposed to than Antarctic  tour guides. 

Elizabeth Cooper, from the University of Gronigen in the Netherlands, speaks to Tessa Campisi about her study of guides who have decided to leave the sector over ethical concerns, and what needs to happen to minimise environmental harm to the great southern continent. 

Elizabeth's study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160738326001222

Artwork by Tessa Campisi