A resource for teaching and learning about consuming planet earth
A resource for teaching and learning about consuming planet earth
A resource for teaching and learning about consuming planet earth
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CONTINUED<br />
A3<br />
Treading lightly in the great outdoors<br />
Tourism is now one of the world’s largest industries <strong>and</strong> one of its fastest growing economic sectors<br />
today. Like other sectors, tourism uses <strong>resource</strong>s, generates wastes <strong>and</strong> creates environmental, cultural<br />
<strong>and</strong> social costs <strong>and</strong> benefits during its process.<br />
Outdoor activities are fun <strong>and</strong> healthy but as more <strong>and</strong> more people are visiting our natural places<br />
their impact is increasing. Litter from people, introduced species, weeds carried by car wheels,<br />
emissions from snow mobiles <strong>and</strong> 4WD vehicles are all potential threats to natural systems.<br />
Eco-tourism has become increasingly popular but not all holidays using that label offer<br />
environmentally sensitive tourism. As with energy, water products <strong>and</strong> vehicles, holidays have<br />
accreditation schemes. The activities below will help you tread lightly when exploring the great<br />
outdoors.<br />
Exercise 1 - What is our impact?<br />
The impact on plants <strong>and</strong> animals <strong>and</strong> ecosystems can come in many <strong>for</strong>ms. Different activities may<br />
have physical impacts such as trampling, erosion, auditory impacts including loud noises that disrupt<br />
animal communication or human enjoyment, pollution impacts such as emissions from engines or litter<br />
left over from people. For each of the following activities give one example of a potential physical,<br />
auditory, <strong>and</strong> pollution impact <strong>and</strong> rate the severity of the impact from 1-10.<br />
Activity<br />
Mountain Biking<br />
Snow Mobiles<br />
Overnight Camping<br />
Bushwalking<br />
Bird Watching<br />
Fishing<br />
Hunting<br />
Rock climbing<br />
(add your own example)<br />
Physical Impact Auditory Impact Pollution Impacts<br />
Did you know?<br />
Many people think Australia’s electricity is ‘clean <strong>and</strong><br />
green’. Apart from Tasmania, almost 90% of electricity<br />
is made by burning coal, the fossil fuel with the highest<br />
greenhouse impact.<br />
ABC Planet Slayer factoid<br />
consumer affairs victoria<br />
23<br />
Need consumer help? 1300 55 81 81 www.consumer.vic.gov.au
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