Sustainable Antarctica: The IAATO
We were all set to make this one of our snarky posts. We had even come up with a sufficiently-mocking title: “From the Files of ‘How Many Organizations Does it Take to Make an Association?’” Catchy, right?
Having worked in the bizarre but real “association world” for many years, we’ve seen associations for all kinds of groups: American Ferret Association, Association of Patient Advocates for Medical Marijuana, Black Flight Attendants of America, Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers, American Association for Nude Recreation (formerly the American Sunbathing Association) and wait for it… American Blind Bowling Association. There’s even an association for associations.
And really, how many tour operators in the Antarctic would you expect? Well, we actually took a look at the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators website (due diligence, you know) and now we’re singing a different tune. There are more than 100 member organizations from 16 countries in Asia, Europe, South America, and North America.
And considering the Antarctic is the largest wilderness area on earth, it’s important that there are guidelines and regulations for those who choose to visit. While the IAATO does not seem to mandate them, the organization does emphasize guidelines that came out of the 1994 Kyoto Antarctic Treaty Meeting.
“The Environmental Protocol designates Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science, and applies to both governmental and non-governmental activities in the Antarctic Treaty Area. The Protocol seeks to ensure that human activities, including tourism, do not have adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment, nor on its scientific and aesthetic values.”
The site also has visitor guidelines in 9 languages, information papers on science in the region, and much more. Well played, IAATO, well played.
