T.Cassidy/I.Marston K.H.C.T.C.

Where is Greenland?(Resource 12 Map)

Northern hemisphere

Continent of North America

Arctic Circle cuts through it – high latitude country

To the North west of us!

Why is Greenland an example of an ‘Extreme Environment’?

Definition of an Extreme Environment: “Exhibits harsh and challenging environmental conditions such as climate and landscape, far outside the boundaries of what a human can comfortably tolerate”

Let’s fi

rst l

ook at Resourc

e14:

• What does ‘precipitation’ mean?

• What is Greenland’s total / average annual precipitation?

• What is the highest temperature shown?

• What is the lowest temperature shown?

• What is the temperature range for Nuuk?

• For how many months of the year can Nuuk expect temperatures of 0 degrees C or below?

• Where is Nuuk located?

• Are these graphed climate conditions typical of the whole of Greenland? What evidence do you have?

How is Greenland SIMILAR to OUR extreme environment (ANTARCTICA)?

How is Greenland DIFFERENT from OUR extreme environment (ANTARCTICA)?

• Ice sheet cover

• Very low temperatures

• Long periods of winter darkness (5 months of 24 hour darkness at South Pole)

• Continentality – temperatures higher towards the coastal areas

• Sustrugi and cressases to fall down / trip over!

• Colder temperatures recorded; even coastal areas are @ minus 12 degrees C in summer. Vostok recorded minus 89.2 degrees in 1983.

• Longer periods of 24 hour darkness in parts, as Antarctica stretches to higher latitudes

• Antarctica has much lower precipitation average – classed as a desert area

• No ‘green pasture’ land / no permanent inhabitants, even on coast

• Antarctica more inaccessible, impossible during winter months

What are Greenland’s tourist attractions? (Resource

15)

• The SIGHTS: Dramatic icebergs and glaciers; wildlife such as whales, seals, musk oxen, polar bears; the midnight sun; the Northern lights

• The OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: Winter sports; wildlife watching; cruising / flying; driving a dog-sledge; hiking, angling; mountain biking; kayaking

• The CULTURAL ACTIVITIES: Inuit arts, crafts; drum dances; national costumes; kayak performances

• The OVERALL GREENLAND ENVIRONMENT: Clear air; dramatic; space; challenging; long hours of daylight in summer; snow capped mountains; not anything like it is at home!

What are Antarctica’s tourist attractions?

• The SIGHTS: Dramatic icebergs and glaciers; wildlife such as whales, seals, penguins; the midnight sun; the southern lights

• The OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: Wildlife watching; cruising / flying

• The CULTURAL ACTIVITIES: Visiting scientific research stations; visiting Scott’s hut

• The OVERALL ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT: Clear air; dramatic; space; challenging; long hours of daylight in summer; snow capped mountains; not anything like it is at home! Last wilderness

NOTE: Globalisation of media has begun to reveal the mystery of Antarctica and encourage greater tourism.

Impact of films such as:

• The Inconvenient Truth?

• March of the Penguins?

• Happy Feet?

THINK!!!

HOW ARE PEOPLE USING ANTARCTICA?

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?

Ref

Handout!!

HOW ARE PEOPLE USING ANTARCTICA

TODAY?

HOW MIGHT PEOPLE USE ANTARCTICA IN

THE FUTURE?

People might:

Mine for minerals, IF:

• The Antarctic Treaty is not renewed

• The costs of fossil fuels rise due to depletion elsewhere

• Technological advances make minerals easier to recover

• Ice melt due to global warming makes access easier / working conditions easier

People might:

Mass tourism might emerge IF:

• People have increased disposable incomes in MEDC’s – Antarctica tourism becomes less of a niche market

• There is increased media exposure of Antarctica

• A larger number of tour operators decide to exploit a growing market

• Ice melt due to global warming makes access easier

People might:

Whaling might increase IF:

• Limits on numbers are withdrawn by international community

• Country claims to slices of Antarctica and its oceans are recognised (if Antarctic Treaty is not renewed?)

Krill fishing might increase IF:

• New on-board processing and freezing technology enables ships to take on bigger catches

People might:

Antarctica might become a cause for conflict IF:

• Powerful countries such as USA and China claim and take over areas despite the existence of any Treaty or agreement, in order to exploit minerals such as oil

• Powerful countries such as USA and China claim and take over areas despite the existence of any Treaty or agreement, in order to gain a strategic advantage in the Southern Hemisphere