Environmental Impact of Tourism on Antarctica
This essay discusses the environmental impact of tourism on Antarctica.
The subheading Description will give an overview of the continent, highlight the unique landscape, weather patterns and research stations making up some of the tourist attractions of this continent.
The subheading Tourism in Antarctica gives an account of the type of tourist Antarctica attracts and their primary motive identifying scientific research staff as tourists as well as highlighting the current trends and growth towards ecotourism.
The History of the Australian Antarctic Territory will be discussed highlighting past errors in environmental management and the current trend of educational theme tours retracing the route of past expeditions.
Legislation Pertaining to Antarctica will be listed and the Environmental Impact Process required prior to any Antarctic activity will be noted.
The Positive Impact of the multiplier effect of tourism on the country of origin will be discussed as well as the personal gratification and environmental awareness of an Antarctic visit. The Negative Impact of the effect an increase in visitors will be analysed under the subheadings of the human impact on Birds, Heritage Sites and the Terrestrial Environment.
Recommendations / Conclusions will highlight the need for continual monitoring and evolution of strategic management plans.
This essay concludes that for the good of environmental sustainability, scientific integrity should be paramount in the future management of the Antarctic having priority over tourism or development. A management plan considering the needs of all interested parties should be developed and implemented in conjunction with the development of m...
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Nasht’s depiction of Frank Hurley’s journey into Antarctica raises the importance of discovering new ideas and values which shape his journey as an “odyssey”, a classical allusion to Homer’s epic poem, His journey of discovery challenges many assumptions and questions Hurley’s society had sought represented by epic film music and indirect interviews to portray the feeling of excitement and adventure, portraying an assumption that discovery can lead to new experiences and new worlds. Nasht’s juxtaposition of Hurley’s dramatic archival footage to the modern recreation of the journey evokes a sense of excitement and a change in beliefs, where previously people didn’t know what adventure felt like. Images of large and grand icebergs signify a new sense of discovery in an uncharted world which becomes important to those on the ship, Endurance knowing that they are risking their lives to experience the nature of the world that no one has even sought and being the first to answer the challengers of discovering and exploring new worlds and experiences. The clever synthesis from shifts of Elephant Island to Hurley’s daughters provokes a sense of discovering something personal, as “the places he explored left a mark on him and his photography”, where Hurley’s daughters rediscover their father’s experiences. The daughters are overwhelmed by the desolation of the ice and space, which becomes significant for them, as they relive the memories and the experience of their father when he journeyed to
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Recent studies based on satellite monitoring by NASA reveals that melting ice from both the poles has been responsible for a fifth of the global rising sea levels since 1992 (11 mm). Antarctica and Greenland are now contributing three times as much ice to sea levels as they were 20 years ago. Although the Greenland ice sheet is only about...
In 1914, a great leader began a great expedition, unbeknownst to him that instead of being known as great explorers, they would be known as some of the greatest survivors. This man was Sir Ernest Shackelton and he was determined to be the first to cross the Antarctic. Little did he know, his biggest challenge would end up being his ability to lead his team to survival. He also had no idea that their tale of strength, determination, and courage to survive would influence people well into the 21st century, and the book detailing their stories would be used as a model of leadership. As our group read this book, it was evident that Shackleton was a truly motivated and successful leader as we have come to understand him to be.
The Great Barrier Reef Management Authority identified in an outlook plan for the reef that climate change is the long term threat that will destroy the reef. The Australian Government and Queensland officials have formally agreed to undertake an assessment on the Great Barrier Reef and the routes taken in order to maintain the reef’s beauty. A public group has been set up, allowing for people to have their say in how to protect the reef. There is a Long-Term Sustainability Plan for the Great Barrier Reef being undertaken by Australian and Queensland officials. This plan involves both costal officials and those of the general public that want to get involved. Officials have taken in all the comments from the general public and are expected to come up with a shot and long term plan into order to sustain the Great Barrier Reef.
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New Zealand tourism is largely reliant on 'Eco-tourism' so to maintain the tourism industry it is imperative that our environment is conserved. However tourism itself can have negative effects on the environment. The tourism sector must act responsibly in its use of the environment and any use must be sustainable.
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