Thursday, June 19, 2008

Against Encouraging Chat with Students

These days, it seems that almost all students have a tendency toward talking to each other through Internet, instead of being face-to-face or talking in person. On this, many English teachers warn that chatting in Internet or text messages in cellular phones would bring about serious English writing problems. “A recent survey by the College Board and Pew Internet and America Life Project found that most students say it’s important to know how to write well, but a majority also said that Internet style language – including abbreviations and emotions – is making its way into their classwork” (Weeks, 2008, paras.12-14). On the other hand, there is a big generation gap between teenagers and older people, because it is quite difficult for older people to understand the language that is being used in Internet or cellular phone. Nevertheless, teenagers would say that there are many advantages in using specific words in Internet or cellular phones. In reality, many people who are frequently using Internet or cellular phones approve of teenagers’ opinions. However, I would roughly disagree with using Internet style words among teenagers.

Therefore, I believe that teenagers who like to use Internet style words should be instructed by English teachers, because there are three main reasons; the losing if the native language, the feeling of generation gap, and the lack of academic skill.

Firstly, people might lose their original language, in the course of time, due to using Internet style language. Lee (2002) stated that teenagers who depend on using specific words in Internet or cellular phone when they speak use irregular language with thoughtlessness. Namely, when teenagers grow up, the language the use may gradually be changed irrespective of their academic education. So, I think that home education is as important as school is. Above all, parents have responsibilities for how their children use language. It would be not only a fundamental education, but also a very important instruction.

Secondly, people may argue that using Internet specific words enables teenagers to feel alienated from older generation. Although older people try to understand what teenagers do, it is quite hard to recognize what they say. Guess (2007) said, “traditional ways of thinking and learning are undergoing a sea change.” So, people should make ceaseless efforts to avoid the generation gap in modern society.

Finally, using text communication would enable teenagers to induce the lack of academic skill. “professor Ben Yagoda has been teaching English for 16 years. Students, he say, are getting brighter. But their abilities to write clealy have deteriorated appreciably in the past four or five years” (Weeks, 2008, para.35). Many students have shown a tendency toward degrading their writing skill, because of the text communication. Thus, school should intensify students’ English abilities through more effective curriculums.

In conclusion, we should adjust using text communication to a certain extent. Though people cannot impinge on the teenagers’ will, we should do collaborative work to solve these problems. Sooner or later, I believe that using Internet words or text message would be corrected by our continuing efforts. Consequently, the main three results, the losing of the native language, the feeling of generation gap, and the lack of academic skill, would disappear soon.


References
Guess, A. (2007, September 17). Students’ Evolving use of technology. Inside Higher Ed.
Retrieved on June 16, 2008, from
http://www.insidehighered.com/new/2007/09/17/it
Lee, J. (2002, September). Nu shortcuts in school R2 much 4 teachers, NY Times.
Retrieved on June 16, 2008, from
http://tinyurl.com/5p7vtb
Weeks, L. (2008, June 15). The fate of the sentence: is the writing in the wall?,
Washington Post. Retrieved on June 16, 2008, from
http://tinyurl.com/6bp4kz

Solutions for Three kinds of Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Antarctica

EAP2, Writer’s Workshop
Thomas Leveret
June 18, 2008

Abstract

The topic of this research paper is solutions for environmental impacts of tourism in the Antarctic continent. It argues that the international society should make ceaseless efforts to protect the Antarctic environment from various kinds of environmental impacts of tourism. On this, there are three factors and their solutions for this argument. Three factors are the effects of physical factors, the effects of biological factors, and loss of non-material environmental value; accordingly, their solutions are to enact strong legislations against tourism, to tighten control of the quarantine system, and to give wider publicity throughout advertising media.










Outline

Solutions for Three kinds of Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Antarctica

Thesis: Humans should make ceaseless efforts to keep the Antarctic environment from various kinds of environmental effects of tourism, such as impacts of physical environment, impacts of biological environment, and loss of non-material value, because tourism in Antarctica should be one of the serious human activities on global warming.
I. Introduction
A. The most environmental place in the world..
B. Growth of tourists.
C. There are three environmental impacts of tourism.
1. The factor of the biological destruction.
2. The factor of the physical destruction.
3. Impacts on non-material environmental values.
II. Background
A. Tourism in Antarctica.
B. The regulations.
1. Explain the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO).
2. New Zealand Policy on Tourism and Non-Governmental Activities in
Antarctica.
III. Main Arguments
A. A strong legislation against the tourism.
B. To prevent from non-native species.
C. To keep non-material values.
D. Opposed to the theory of the environmental matters on Antarctica.
IV. Conclusion
A. Thesis restatement.
B. Causes and solutions briefly.
C. Constant efforts.







Solutions for Three kinds of Environmental Impacts of Tourism in Antarctica

The Antarctic continent, an incredible sightseeing place, would be regarded as one of the most noticeable sites in the world, because people visiting Antarctica have had a critical effect on altering its environment. "Since Lars-Eric Lindblad led the first traveler’s expedition to Antarctica in 1966, his model of expedition cruising is still followed today by the majority of people who travel to there by ship" (Schneider, 2006). On this, many scientists have warned that travelling to Antarctica would bring about a lot of environmental disasters; but in reality, we are having great difficulty in the world’s environment that has been associated with the destruction of Antarctica’s surroundings, either directly or indirectly. Tourism in Antarctica would be one of the greatest effects on its environment. Thus, Lamers (2005) established that there would be roughly three causes influencing on the environmental ruin: impacts on the physical environment, impacts on the biological environments, and impacts on non-material environmental values. An example of the physical environments is the pollution of marine and coastal regions as a result of oil or fuel spills and sewage dumped by ships. In biological terms, Rincon (2006) asserted, "one of the environmental impacts in Antarctica is non-native species that can hitch a ride on ships and planes carrying visitors and supplies, wrecking the continent’s unique ecosystems." According to Manaugh (2006), New Scientists announced "native species are already establishing themselves in what is one of the world’s last great wildernesses. On the other hand, a non-material value is the satisfaction that people get from knowing that an enormous wilderness area, or place with outstanding beauty, and exists and is protected from human encroachment" (Lamers, 2005). That is, people touring in Antarctica have induced a lot of fatalities on its environment. Consequently, many environmental organizations coming from the international society have been launched to make a step-by-step approach to a feasible plan for recovering Antarctica’s surroundings through collaborating on a project with related associations. Until that time, "the Antarctica and Southern Ocean Coalition has continued to call for the implementation and enforcement of an environmental protocol for Antarctica" (Manaugh, 2006). It seems that the international society has recently made the environment a top concern with an environment-friendly and long-term plan.

In this respect, humans should make ceaseless efforts to keep the Antarctic environment from various kinds of environmental effects of tourism, such as impacts of physical environment, impacts of biological environment, and loss of non-material value, because tourism in Antarctica should be one of the serious human activities on global warming.

Visitors have rapidly increased over a few decades. According to the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO)’s report, "in 2002/2003, 13,571 tourists visited Antarctica, compared with only 6,000 ten years ago" (Roper-Gee, 2003). Although it is quite difficult to visit Antarctica due to the costs, isolated area, and lack of development, more and more people are interested in touring in Antarctica. Schneider (2006) said, "the most important goal might be simply stepping foot on the Antarctic continent." Simply stepping foot on its continent had more serious tasks than humans realized. Meeting the huge risks of Antarctica’s environment, "in 1991, tourist operators in Antarctica have organized IAATO to promote safety and environmental responsibility amongst cruise operators; a very significant policy is that itineraries should be planned in such a way that no more than 10 people are ashore at a time at any one site" (Roper-Gee, 2003). "Humans have always supported responsible oversight of tourism but it is not up to IAATO, but rather countries under which the operators are flagged, to decide the rules" (Tickell, 2007) Also, in May 2003, "New Zealand’s government adapted a policy statement on tourism and other non-governmental activities in the Antarctic environment; the policy is based on a precautionary approach to protecting the fragile Antarctic environment" (Aorere, 2008). Moreover, the guidelines outline detailed procedures to be followed during the planning of the trip, when in the Antarctic Treaty area and on completion of the trip (Roper-Gee, 2003). Recently, the international society has taken a preventive measure and been trying to overcome a crisis in the Antarctic environment by observing its regulations thoroughly.

Firstly, the international society should strongly legislate against tourism in the Antarctic continent, until its environment can be recovered. In addition, the regulation should be high powered through adjusting and complementing; otherwise, the Antarctic environment can be impacted by humans activities. Roper-Gee (2003) stated, “rubbish and wastes from ships have also been a problem, as have unplanned visits to scientific bases… visits are becoming much better regulated, and impact has reduced in some areas.” Nevertheless, with any operation, accidents can occur with major consequences for the environment. Tickell (2007) said, “many ships are not ice-strengthened and the crews are not sufficiently trained to operate in this area. It is very dangerous and poses significant environmental threats.” Thus, the Antarctic continent should be authorized as a particular site; so, no one should be able to approach it, except those with peculiar demands. For instance, if tourists would violate the regulation, they should be given substantial damage for their reputation and properties. In other words, international society should firmly impose economic sanctions or give a severe penalty for violating the law; thus, humans need to have harsh regulations for recovering the earth at any cost. Therefore, a solution to the problem may lie in prohibiting entering the Antarctic continent. International society should pursue collaborative work with more strong regulations against thoughtless touring in the Antarctic continent.

Secondly, international society, which has faced complicated tasks in global warming, should put a plan into practice to preserve Antarctica’s ecosystem from the influx of non-native species, which have been brought by tourists. Rincon reports that scientists are calling for action to prevent foreign species from taking hold in Antarctica and destroying the continent’s unique ecosystems (2006). Indeed, "Rachel Clarke, senior environmental manager with the British Antarctica Survey, says that invasive alien species represent “huge potential problems” for native ecosystems" (Tickell, 2007). Namely, the destruction of Antarctica’s ecosystems has already been implemental stated by exotic species along with tourists and their supplies. Besides, "tourists can induce disturbance of wildlife and modification of wildlife behavior through the noise, trampling of nesting sites, and the presence of humans; also, they can do damage on vegetation, such as mosses and lichen, through trampling or vehicles" (Lamers, 2005). Accordingly, international society needs to enact an intensive international law to tighten control of the quarantine system, when someone is coming or going in the Antarctic continent. This way may retard the progress of the non-native species and shelter the native organisms in Antarctica. Also, humans should be able to assign special areas to protect and activate the original organisms in Antarctica. It can be a good example not only for saving the Antarctic environment, but also for studying its ecosystems. In a word, the primary aim for the aforementioned solutions is to protect the Antarctic environment from the influx of non-native species moved by humans.

Lastly, a non-material environment value would be one of the most significant matters in the Antarctic environment. Lamers (2005) explained, "it is for both the understanding of environmental risks, and decision-making about Antarctica that its values include aesthetic value, wildness value, science value, and intrinsic value, amongst others." In fact, people are not aware of the terrible effects that the ruin of the Antarctic environment could have, although it is generally accepted truth. Thus, one of the effective solutions would be to advertise intensively. It would be of great worth. That means that non-material environment must be given wider publicity throughout advertising media. This is because it would enable all people living in the world to recognize the environmental risk in Antarctica. More, humans can catch sight of the vivid and gorgeous landscape in their home through the satellites. "This value applies also to humans who have never been to the Antarctic continent" (Lamers, 2005). It can be one of the effective ways to reduce tourism in the Antarctic continent.

Some tourists, on the other hand, would argue that the anxiety about the impacts of tourism in Antarctica would be excessive and temporary phenomenon, and tourism in there should continue to work so that people who have intense aspirations toward visiting Antarctica should be satisfied by going. The IAATO announced, "the benefits derived from responsible tourism, such as better knowledge and appreciations of the region, are substantial. The wildlife-rich coastline, snow-covered mountains, glaciated landscapes, and extreme weather of this physically remote and magical part of the world lend this region remarkable wilderness and aesthetic value for the adventurous traveler" (2006). "Some voyages give you the opportunity to get intimate lectures and to talk one on one with true Antarctic explorers, and modern legend" (Schneider, 2006). Tourists who have visited Antarctica expressed that its beautiful landscape is beyond description.

In conclusion, the Antarctic environment has actually been confronted with a poignant environmental task that has occurred due to tourists, such as the effects of physical factors, the effects of biological factors, and loss of non-material environmental value. To solve the problems of the Antarctic environment, no matter how long it takes, the international society should make and maintain efforts throughout the cooperating business in obviously feasible plans that would regulate and control the tourism and its supplies, and disseminate a movement to enlighten people on the Antarctic environment. Furthermore, the international society would support the pressure groups’ activities on environment in each country. They would spread the environmental movement, advocate the assertion of the environmentalists, and manipulate the advertisements on the Antarctic continent. The Antarctic continent has already been one of the most inhospitable surroundings in the world. Consequently, humans certainly should overcome our significant matters for our descendants and be able to take a positive view on this task in the near future.



References

Anderton, J. (2006, April 10). Opening of Antarctica Non-Native Species Workshop – Speech. Progressive : Getting things done. Retrieved on June 9, 2008, from :
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2241

Aorere, M. (2008, February 22). Antarctica : New Zealand Policy on Tourism and Non-Governmental Activities in Antarctica. New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade. Retrieved on June 10, 2008, from :
http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Foreign-Relations/1-Global-Issues/Antarctica/1-New-Zealand-Relationship-with-Antarctica/tourismpolicy.php

I.A.A.T.O. (the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) (2006). A Scope of Antarctica Tourism – A Background Presentation. ABOUT IAATO : Tourism Overview. Retrieved on June 10, 2008, from :
http://www.iaato.org/tourism_overview.html

Lamers, M. (2005, June). “The environmental impacts of tourism in Antarctica : increasing complexity and global challenges”. Literature review. Retrieved on June 9, 2008, from :
http://www.anta.canterbury.ac.nz/documents/GCAS%20electronic%20projects/Machiel%20Lamers%20Review.pdf

Manaugh, R. (2006, July 31). Altering Antarctica. World Changing. Retrieved on May 30, 2008, from :
http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/2006/07/altering-antarctica.html

Rincon, P. (2006, June 23). ‘Warm’ species invading Antarctic. BBC NEWS. Retrieved on May 28, 2008, from : http://www.newsalerts.com/news/article/-warm-species-invading-antarctic.html:scitech19:983775

Roper-Gee, R. (2003, July). Tourism Antarctica. Antarctica New Zealand Information Sheet. Retrieved on June 10, 2008, from : http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/downloads/information/infosheets/tourism.pdf

Schneider, D. (2006). Sea Travel and Cruise Ships. Antarctica. Retrieved on June 10, 2008, from : http://antarctica.kulgun.net/Tourism/cruises.shml

Tickell, O. (2007, June 5). Tourism threatens Antarctica. TIMESONLINE. Retrieved on June 10, 2008, from :
http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/holiday_type/cruises/article1886800.ece

Monday, June 2, 2008

Altering Antarctica

These days, the Antarctic continent, an extremely attractive and environmental place in the world, would be regarded as one of the most noticeable sites on global warming. Change in its environment would bring about tremendous tragedies; many scientists and environmentalists have been concerned that the environmental condition in the Antarctic continent has gradually been getting worse due to the destruction of its native ecological system throughout the influx of non-native species and the climate’s change. It is a fact that non-native species relocated by visitors have enabled the original species in Antarctica to be on the brink of extinction. So, influx of non-native species would alter the environmental circumstance and sooner or later devastate the Antarctic continent, wrecking its ecosystem; also, the climate’s alteration would be able to ruin its ecosystem, becoming the cause of genetic damage and mutation. Through human being’s carelessness, consequently, it provoked a crisis in Antarctica’s environment. For the sake of the environmental situation in Antarctica, many specialists coming from around the world came up with a regulation which is called the Antarctic Treaty. Since the Antarctic Treaty was made, the international society has continued to work for protecting the ecological system in Antarctica with tightened articles on the invasion of non-native species. The Environmental Protocol of the Antarctic Treaty was legislated by delegates who were in each of the member countries that it has been given restrictive permits to visit to the Antarctica continent, which has been dedicated to saving the Antarctica continent to a certain extent; otherwise, we should pay a costly price for the restoration of the devastated environment. It seems that the international society has recently made the environment a top concern with an environment-friendly and long-term plan.

In this respect, I strongly agree on the point that we should make ceaseless effort to protect the environment in Antarctica from the influx of non-native species and the alteration of its climate due to the destruction of its ecological system.

Above all, international society, which has difficult tasks in global warming, should put a plan into practice to preserve the Antarctica’s ecosystem from the attack of non-native species. Most of them have had a tendency toward stemming from those who have visited Antarctica, or their transportation. They would be able to hitch a ride on transportation carrying visitors and their supplies. Therefore, we should make an effort to blockade the incoming of the alien species. Thus, I would maintain that international society should make a step-by-step approach to three solutions for retrieving Antarctica’s environment. Firstly, we need to enact an intensive international law to tighten control of the quarantine system, when a coming and going in Antarctica continent. This way would retard the progress of the non-native species and shelter the native organism in Antarctica. Secondly, we should be able to assign special areas to activate the original species in Antarctica. It can be a good example not only for saving the Antarctica’s environment, but also for studying its eco-system. Finally, we should firmly impose economic sanctions or give a severe penalty for violating the law. In other words, we need to have a harsh regulations for saving the earth at any cost. In a word, the primary aim for the fore-mentioned three solutions is to protect Antarctica’s environment from the importation of non-native species.

More significantly, Antarctica’s atmosphere has been intimidated by the expansion of radiation from the sun due to global warming, which led to the breakdown of ozone layer. The excessive emission of the radiation has brought on destruction of the ecosystem in Antarctica, having helped non-native species to take their place and made native species exterminated. Furthermore, some mutations could appear because the eco-system would be wrecked by radiation from the sun. In the course of time, it is a fact that this serious task is spread throughout the world. Indeed, people are not aware of the terrible effects that the ruin of the ozone layer could have, although it is generally accepted truth. Accordingly, solving this disastrous situation depends on how much consideration people have. The fact is that it takes considerable expertise to correct the circumstance of ozone hole, so, all we have to do is to practice small things in our plain life. We can reduce, reuse, and recycle the products as much as we can do.

In conclusion, we are actually confronted with a severe environmental situation that has been introduced by the invasion of non-native species and the alteration of Antarctica’s climate. On this, we should continue to make efforts through the collaborative work in the international society; otherwise, it might induce horrible fatalities across the world. Now, Antarctica’s ecosystem is being influenced by strangers and its environment is already becoming one of the places most endangered by global warming in the world. Hence, we certainly have to overcome our serious problems, no matter how long it takes, for our descendants. I strongly believe that we should be able to take a positive view on this task in the near future.

Reference :
Manaugh, R. (2006, July 31) Altering Antarctica. World Changing. Retrieved on May 30, 2008, from : http://www.worldchangi ng .com/archives/004763.html