001 - Human Activity

Syllabus Point

Discuss the degree to which human activities in extreme environments are unsustainable.

Key Terminology

• Discuss
• Unsustainable

Define the key terms above using the 'Command Term' posters in the classroom, your 'Geography Course Companion' by Nagle and Cooke and the useful links below.

Useful Links

• Google Definition - Unsustainable

Activity One - Case Study

We are almost at the end of the course and are getting a little fatigued. To combat this we are going to answer this syllabus point by creating a case study for Chamonix, France. You focused on Chamonix for the previous syllabus point which looked at the opportunities and challenges for tourism in extreme environments. Therefore you have already looked at the potential damage that tourism can bring to such a fragile area. But things are changing and there is a huge push to go 'green'. We are going to look at what changes have been made in Chamonix and what they propose to do to lesson the impact of tourists in the region. To do this copy and complete the case study grid below. The useful resources will help you to fill in the grid.

Do remember though that the syllabus point is asking you to explore the impact of human activities in extreme environments, therefore you can also include information about growing food in the desert and the impact of the Trans-Alaskan pipeline.

Sustainable and unsustainable Activities in Chamonix Grid

Useful Resources

• geographyalltheway - Together Let's Design Tomorrow's Valley
• Chamonet - Environmentally-friendly skiing in Chamonix
• The Guardian - Why does Chamonix have some of the worst air pollution in France?
• Compaigniedumontblanc - Environment
• Geographical - White mountain, green tourism

Extra Reading

You could also look at how tourism is being managed in Antartica. To do this make notes on pages 90-93 in the text book ' Glaciation and Periglaciation'.

Exam Style Question

Analyse the impact of human activities in extreme environments. (10 marks)