KEY KNOWLEDGE POINT Impacts of technologies on outdoor environments, including: – direct impacts, such as recreational vehicles and snow making – indirect or deferred impacts, such as equipment manufacture and transport

WHAT EXACTLY COUNTS AS ‘TECHNOLOGY’? Technology: Technology is how people modify the natural world to suit their own purposes. Technology literally means the action of making or crafting and generally refers to a diverse collection of processes and knowledge that people use to extend their own human abilities and to satisfy their own wants and needs (International Technology Education Association, 2000).  Will we be using technology in the Otways?  What would this include?

WHAT IS A DIRECT IMPACT?? Direct impacts are those caused by the action and occur at the same time and place. Usually observable.  What are some examples of these?  What direct impacts do you expect us to have in the Otways due to the technology we use?  How can we limit these?

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES Dirt bikes.. Fantastic form of technology for exploring large environments in minimal time and great for an adrenaline rush  What effect do these have on local environments?  Cost v Benefit.. Is it worth it?.. Weigh up the pros and cons in your workbooks. (0-5 on track… 9+ off track)

Four Wheel Driving (4WD).. Gets you in and out of difficult terrains as well as being an enjoyable recreational activity.  What direct effect do these have on local environments?  What is done to minimise these impacts?

CREATING ARTIFICIAL ENVIRONMENTS Snow making Direct impacts  A lot of water is required to make artificial snow which impacts on water sources and the flora and fauna depending on it.  The water loss associated with making snow in the Australian Alps is equivalent to the annual water consumption of city with 500,000 inhabitants (Englebert, 2011).  With people visiting the snow all season means little time for the environment to regenerate and replenish  Man made snow is waterproof unlike natural snow which results in increased soil erosion.  Bird communities around ski resorts are being directly impacted as the artificial snow modifies their habitat and food sources.

CAMPING ACCESSORIES Trangias Direct Impacts  Polluting the atmosphere with fumes  Reduces the need to burn wood and logs  Impact from incorrect disposal of fuel Hiking Boots Direct Impacts  Compression of local flora  Transfer of bacteria or fungus to pristine areas  Transfer of invasive species via seed.

WHAT ARE INDIRECT IMPACTS? Indirect/deferred impacts: Indirect or deferred impacts are those that are caused by the action but not immediately, they happen before an event or later in time but are still reasonably foreseeable.  What are some examples of these in regards to outdoor camps?  What indirect impacts do you expect us to have from our trip to the Otways?  How can we limit these?

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES Dirt bikes and 4WD’s Indirect impacts  Massive manufacturing costs  Consumption of fossil fuels required to run  Cost in transporting to venue..Others?

CREATING ARTIFICIAL ENVIRONMENTS Snow making Indirect impacts  Snow machines are very large and expensive, the manufacturing of these machines as well as tanks and pipelines for water conveyance alter landscapes and ecosystems  Snow making usually occurs when the environmental water levels are at their lowest which means that water has to be transported and stored before it is make into snow. Using large equipment such as trucks to transport the water uses a lot of energy and burns a lot of fuel which pollutes the environment from where the water is being collected as well as the environment to which the water is being taken to and stored.  Creating artificial snow means that ski resorts operate for an extended period which results in increased power consumption and other associated impacts.  The pumps that are being used to provide the water to the snow making machines are often run by diesel engines which when in operation expel a high level of pollution into the atmosphere.

CAMPING ACCESSORIES Trangias Indirect Impacts  Requires fuel that needs to be sourced and refined.  Requires a lot of energy to manufacture a Trangia or other fuel stove, as well as creating a lot of waste.  Carbon attached to transportation Hiking Boots Indirect Impacts  Requires a lot of energy and man power to manufacture as well as creating a lot of waste from leather and material offcuts.  Rarely recycled, leading to disposal in land fill  Carbon attached to transportation to retailer

IMPACT AUDIT Choose a piece of equipment we will be taking to the Otways and investigate its origin (explore the store room if you want to find something specific).  What would be the direct impacts from using this in the Otways?  What is it made from?  Where do its components come from? (research)  What effects might there be on the outdoor environment in its manufacturing process?  How far has it travelled between its place of manufacture and you?  Describe and detail its life cycle (See pg 110 of text book)

IMPACTS V BENEFITS DEBATE Boys vs Girls We will toss a coin to see who is for and who is against for the topic.. “Technology’s benefits outweigh its impacts”..15 mins to note down your supportive arguments and the debate will begin