Introduction
Antarctica is one of the last unspoilt environments left on Earth, mainly due to the fact that it is relatively untouched by humans. As humans are now able to travel to all parts of the globe, they are becoming more and more interested in venturing to Antarctica. Could this bring about problems?
As modern day travel permits more and more people to visit this beautiful continent, there are numerous concerns associated with the increase of human activity. Can we afford the costs of increased human activity in Antarctica?
In your class you will work individually and in teams to write an “Environmental Impact Exposition.” This will emphasis what effect increased tourism will have in Antarctic from a particular point of view.
You will present your conclusions as a team on a display board and in a short oral presentation. Your report will focus on the justification for an increase in tourism to Antarctica.
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The Task
A new tourist company, “Extreme Tours,” wants to establish trekking tours in Antarctica for two months during December and January. They plan to take 200 trekkers to Antarctica during these two months.
The Australian Government has requested that a number of Environmental Impact Teams explore the impact of this tourism proposal on the animals and natural environment of Antarctica.
Each Environmental Impact Team will focus on a particular role. Your role could be that of a: Tour Operator, an Environmentalist, a Scientist or a Politician.
You and your team will present a report to the Australian Government giving five recommendations that either support or argue against the proposed “Extreme Tours” venture.
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The Process
In this Web Quest you will firstly work individually and then as a team. You will use the resources included in this Web Quest and may also use reference materials and books from the library collection.
- Each student will take on the role of either::
- A Tour Operator
- An Environmentalist
- A Scientist
- A Politician
- Identify resources and gather information that will assist you in completing your research and accomplishing your task.
- Address all questions and problems associated with your role and compile you own “ Environmental Impact Exposition.”
- Use a Graphic Organiser (scaffolding sheet) to aid the planning of your Exposition
- Get together with other colleagues to compile team recommendations and conclusions. Make a team display board to emphasis your findings
- As a group discuss your research findings to prepare summaries justifying your team’s position on whether increased tourism to Antarctica is acceptable.
- Make a presentation of your findings to the class.
- Finally, as a class, using a decision-making matrix and taking into account all that has been presented and answered, “Can we afford the cost of increased human activity in Antarctica?”
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Tour Operator
As a tour operator, it is absolutely vital and in your best interest that this tour be allowed to go ahead! You will be doing everything in your power to present an extremely positive case as to why tourism in Antarctica is a good thing.
There will be many people out there that will have numerous arguments for why tourism should either be restricted or stopped.
Your job is to present a very informative and impressive “Environmental Impact” Report that will support the “go ahead” for “Extreme Tours.”
To do this effectively you need to be well informed about the following:
- What is the history of tourism in Antarctica?
- When did it begin? Why? How? Who allowed it?
- How is it governed and policed?
- What impact has tourism had thus far?
- What are the no. of tourist that visit yearly (Tourism Statistics)
Antarctica Cruise and Travel Guide - The Basics http://www.coolantarctica.com/Travel/antarctica_travel_home.htm
Guidance for visitors and tour operators/Statistics of visitors to Antarctica http://www.iaato.org/guidelines.html
The Impact of Visitors
http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/science/threats_tourism.htm
2. What traveling information about Antarctica is necessary for such a trip?
- Where is Antarctica?
- When is the best time to travel (weather, temp, sightseeing)? How do I get there? How long will it take?
- Where will I stay? What will I need to take?
- What is the cost for such a journey?
- How many travel groups/people/tours will be there also?
Lonely Planet: Facts for the Traveler
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/antarctica?a=facts
The Impact of Visitors
http://www.coolantarctica.com/Travel/antarctica_travel_home.htm
Travelling in Antarctica http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/%7Ekpt/terraquest/va/expedition/travel.html
General List of Antarctic Tour Operators http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/travel/touroperators/general.shtml
3. What rules and responsibilities will the tourists be expected to know and follow in preparation for such a tour?
- What rules, treaties, laws governing the stay of tourist in Antarctic?
- What preparation will you give the tourists regarding their environmental responsibilities?
- What are the rules in regards to Plant and Animal protection?
- How do you plan to dispose of your food, vehicle and human waste? What systems are in place for this to occur?
- Are the laws and policies currently working in protecting Antarctica for future generations?
Environmental Issues and Management. http://www.anta.canterbury.ac.nz/resources/envr.html
Plant and Animal Protection
http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/environment/2591
Protecting plants and animals
http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=3732
Protecting the Environment
http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=42
Effective Waste management practices.
http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=214
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Environmentalist
There are wild places like Antarctica which you believe must be preserved for the future. You are concerned that Antarctica is a delicate
Environment that would be damaged by tourism and the pollution they bring. The wildlife in Antarctica needs to be protected and it is your job to protect them.
Your job is to present an “Environmental Impact Exposition” which shows your concerns about the impact of Tourism in Antarctica.
To do this effectively you need to be well informed about the following:
- What adaptations do birds, mammals and sea creatures have to enable them to live in Antarctica?
- Why are scientists involved in studying these animals?
- What effects have visitors to Antarctica had on the wildlife? Why?
- What happens to waste and rubbish in Antarctica?
- How is the wildlife at risk from tourists?
- Are the environmental protection rules for Antarctica strong enough?
Use the links below to learn more about your role and to help you answer the relevant questions.
Animals and the Environment of Antarctica
http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/
http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=369
http://www-new.aad.gov.au/default.asp?content=dynamic&title=FAQs+on+environment&casid=1440&docid=1&type=2&children=1441,1442,1443,1444,1445,1446,1447,1448,1449,1450,1451,1452,1453,1454
http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=3732
http://www.zoomschool.com/school/Antarctica/Animalprintouts.shtml
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Scientist
You are part of a team of Scientists heavily involved in Scientific research in Antarctica for the past decades. During this time there has been a great increase in the number of tourists visiting the area. You can see the effects tourism is having on the research you are carrying out.
There will be many people out there who will have numerous arguments about why scientific research should be stopped, is not important or will not be affected.
Your job is to present a very informative and impressive “Environmental Impact’ Exposition that will display how increased human activity will be detrimental to scientific research in Antarctica.
To do this effectively you need to be well informed about the following:
- What scientific studies are undertaken by scientists in Antarctica and what countries are involved? Find out about three different experiments
- Where is this scientific study carried out?
- Why is this scientific study important to the world?
- How might tourism affect the job scientists do? (Remember -it could have good or bad effects - it's your job to find out)
Antarctic Research
http://www.antdiv.gov.au/science/
Centre for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica
http://astro.uchicago.edu/cara/vtour/pole/
This site will tell you about an American Scientific Base on Antarctica. It has lots of thumbnail photos that you can click on to get a close up view of the environment.
http://astro.uchicago.edu/cara/vtour/mcmurdo/
One job that scientists do is help school students study Antarctica -check it out
http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=1134
This site discusses the weather
http://www.gdargaud.net/Antarctica/MeteoDdU.html
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Politician
Antarctica has no universally recognised owners and therefore does not belong to any one country. As a Politician you receive pressure from all groups using and working in Antarctica. As you want to get re-elected at the next election, you are keen to keep everyone happy. Use the questions and sites provided to develop an exposition on the legal obligations of people who use Antarctica for any reason.
What is the Antarctic Treaty?
- When was it signed?
- What countries were responsible for its development?
- Why was it necessary?
- What is the purpose of this treaty?
- How does the treaty effect human Activity (eg. Hunting, mining and tourism) in Antarctica?
- How many tourists have been to Antarctica in recent years? Should we worry about the numbers?
- What actions would you suggest that would enable the trekking to continue in harmony with scientific and environmental activities? Can they all exist together?
Australian Antarctic Program
http://www.antdiv.gov.au/
Introducing the Madrid Protocol
http://www.antdiv.gov.au/information/treaty/protocol.asp
The Antarctic Treaty: a remarkable agreement
http://www.antdiv.gov.au/information/treaty/
Our vision: Antarctica valued, understood and protected
http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=18
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Evaluation
You will be evaluated for both individual and group work on this project. It is important that you complete your individual work so that you will be able to contribute to the group's solutions.
Your individual “Environmental Impact Exposition” will be marked according to the evaluation sheet. Any work submitted late will be penalised.
Group work will be scored according to the oral presentation. It is important that along with accomplishing the tasks, you work cooperatively within your group.
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Team Presentation
The entire research team is responsible for creating a presentation that summarises your research. Each member must contribute a recommendation from their own Environmental Impact Exposition that they consider crucial. You must also present the details of your recommendations to the class in a short oral.
As a group you should formulate you decision on whether such tourism will have a positive or negative impact on Antarctica, based on all your team’s recommendations.
You should use your display board to emphasis your team’s position You may add to your presentation by using overheads, posters, slides, video or any other method of your choosing. It will be presented to the whole class.
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Conclusion
I hope that you have enjoyed taking part in this Web-Quest. Through this investigation you now have a greater understanding of the impact of humans on the Antarctic.
You have all researched the Environmental Impact tourism will have on the Antarctic continent from a number of viewpoints. You may have found that you have not always agreed with others in your team and in your class. Hopefully this course has allowed you to see the numerous processes needed when making such a critical decision about one of the World’s last, relatively unspoiled wildernesses.
As a class now, report you findings directly to the Australian Antarctic Division.
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