WebQuest Direct - Antarctica: An Unspoilt Environment on Earth

ANTARCTICA

Let me introduce you to Antarctica!

Antarctica remains one of the last unspoilt environments on earth and this is as a result of very little human activity. The continent of Antarctica is home to a uniquely beautiful and harsh environment that has changed little in the last 30 million years. The continent, approximately twice the size of Australia, lies mainly within the Antarctic Circle and is surrounded by ocean. It is covered almost entirely by a sheet of ice and snow, comprising slightly more than 90% of the world's ice and 70% of the world's freshwater resources. Antarctica is the world's coldest and most pristine environment and is the highest continent on earth (www.coolantarctica.com).

View the following short video courtesy of www.photobucket.com to discover what it is really like in Antarctica.

Antarctica

The Australian Government has come under enormous pressure recently from multinational companies to look at ways in which Australia can develop Antarctica. These companies are considering the ideas of ecotourism, mining or commercial fishing at Antarctica in 2010. These companies have on many occasions criticised the Federal Government for not doing enough towards the development of Antarctica. As humans we are now able to travel to all parts of the globe and we are becoming more and more interested in commercialising Antarctica.

Fearing further criticism and concerns regarding re-election, the Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has requested your team to prepare a presentation into the viability and complex issues that surround these controversial proposals. The Australian Government has requested that a number of Teams explore the impact of ecotourism, mining and commercial fishing proposals on the animals and natural environment of Antarctica. Your team will need to develop a group presentation that contains recommendations that consider issues of tourism impact, scientific research, political pressures, climate, environment and wildlife.

*All Images by Antarctica Online Photo Gallery


Home Introduction Task Process Tour Operator Environmentalist Scientist Politician Resources Conclusion Evaluation Teacher's Guide	ANTARCTICA Let me introduce you to Antarctica! Antarctica remains one of the last unspoilt environments on earth and this is as a result of very little human activity. The continent of Antarctica is home to a uniquely beautiful and harsh environment that has changed little in the last 30 million years. The continent, approximately twice the size of Australia, lies mainly within the Antarctic Circle and is surrounded by ocean. It is covered almost entirely by a sheet of ice and snow, comprising slightly more than 90% of the world's ice and 70% of the world's freshwater resources. Antarctica is the world's coldest and most pristine environment and is the highest continent on earth (www.coolantarctica.com). View the following short video courtesy of www.photobucket.com to discover what it is really like in Antarctica. Antarctica The Australian Government has come under enormous pressure recently from multinational companies to look at ways in which Australia can develop Antarctica. These companies are considering the ideas of ecotourism, mining or commercial fishing at Antarctica in 2010. These companies have on many occasions criticised the Federal Government for not doing enough towards the development of Antarctica. As humans we are now able to travel to all parts of the globe and we are becoming more and more interested in commercialising Antarctica. Fearing further criticism and concerns regarding re-election, the Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has requested your team to prepare a presentation into the viability and complex issues that surround these controversial proposals. The Australian Government has requested that a number of Teams explore the impact of ecotourism, mining and commercial fishing proposals on the animals and natural environment of Antarctica. Your team will need to develop a group presentation that contains recommendations that consider issues of tourism impact, scientific research, political pressures, climate, environment and wildlife. *All Images by Antarctica Online Photo Gallery Introduction \| Task \|Process \| Tour Operator \| Environmentalist\| Scientist \|Politician \| Resources\| Conclusion\|Evaluation © 2010 WebQuest Direct \| printer friendly