Science May 12, 2026 / 7:41 AM EDT / CBS/AFP Add CBS News on Google Greater protections for endangered emperor penguins and how to manage growing tourism are topping the agenda at talks on Antarctica opening in Japan on Tuesday. Officials from the nearly 60 countries that are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty are meeting in Hiroshima for annual discussions on protecting and managing the fragile region. The continent and its abundant wildlife are protected under the 1959 treaty, which designates it as a land of science and peace, while freezing territorial claims. “The discussions taking place here in Hiroshima are especially important at a time when Antarctica is increasingly affected by global challenges such as climate change,” Francisco Berguno, executive secretary of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat, told a news conference Tuesday. Berguno warned the continent “plays a critical role in regulating the Earth’s climate and oceans” and urged “long-term thinking, careful management, and international trust.””Decisions taken here help ensure that human activity in Antarctica remains carefully managed, environmentally responsible and scientifically driven,” he added. Around 400 government officials and researchers from some 50 countries, including the United States, China, Russia and Ukraine, were toi take part in the meeting, according to Jiji Press. Among the most closely watched issues this year will be the status of emperor penguins, which last month the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared endangered. Conservation group World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is urging that the animal be designated a specially protected species at the Hiroshima meeting, which could put restrictions on shipping and tourism that are adding pressure to the penguins. Their numbers have plummeted primarily due to climate change that causes the sea ice where they live, hunt and breed to break up earlier in the year. “These icons on ice may well be heading down the slippery slope towards extinction by the end of this century unless we act now,” WWF’s chief advisor for polar and oceans, Rod Downie, said in a statement. But it remains unclear if the meeting can reach consensus on upgrading protections, with some sources saying a decision was unlikely in Hiroshima. Also high on the agenda will be a sharp rise in tourists — almost 120,000 visited Antarctica in 2024-25 — and delegates will mull potential restrictions on areas or activities, as well as possible quotas. Experts warn existing frameworks don’t take into account the increasing diversity of tourist activity in the region, from kayaking and hot air ballooning, to motorbiking.”How to regulate and manage tourism in Antarctica has become a key issue,” said Hideki Uyama of Japan’s foreign affairs ministry, the meeting’s chair. Scientists warned in August that abrupt and potentially irreversible changes in? in approximately 150 words. Focus on the essential facts, main points, and overall context. Write in a clear, engaging, and accessible style suitable for a high school audience, while preserving the appropriate tone of the original—whether serious, neutral, or light. Use concise, natural language to enhance readability, but avoid slang, overly casual phrasing, or added opinions. If helpful, include brief background for clarity, but keep it tight and relevant. Ensure the summary remains accurate, respectful, and easy to follow. Focus on key facts and why the story matters. Then, on a new line and as a separate paragraph, include one insightful, open-ended question labeled as “ QUESTION:” The question should: • Be directly related to the article • Be varied in tone and structure (not repetitive) • Encourage reflection, curiosity, or connection to students’ lives Examples of question types to rotate through: • What could happen if…? • How would you feel if…? • Why do you think…? • What should people do about…? • How might this affect your generation? Format: [Summary paragraph]. QUESTION: [Your insightful, open-ended question here]
Emperor penguins in focus as Antarctica talks start in Japan
