Impacts on technologies on outdoor environments

Question 1

Technology

Answer 1

The application of
scientific knowledge
for practical
purposes to extend
our human abilities
and to manipulate
nature to satisfy our
wants and needs

Question 2

Technology examples

Answer 2

The term ‘technology’ is a representation of the various ways people have modified the natural
world to suit their own purposes. It is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes,
to extend our human abilities, and to manipulate nature to satisfy our wants and needs. In relation to
outdoor environments, technology refers to a multitude of advancements:
* machinery (associated with farming, agriculture, mining, forestry, water harvesting and other
commercial enterprises)
* transportation (cars, buses, planes, boats, hovercraft, snow/sand transport vehicles)
* infrastructure (associated with recreation and industry)
* communication devices (radios, mobile and smartphones, EPIRBs)
* navigational devices (GPSs and PNDs – personal/portable navigation devices)
* specialised equipment (canoes, mountain-bike frames, climbing ropes, tents, PFDs – personal
floatation devices)
* materials and clothing (Gore-Tex, Dri-FIT, Smartwool and other synthetic materials).

Question 3

Direct and indirect impacts of technology

Answer 3

Direct impacts from technology are those caused by the action itself. They occur at the same time
and place and are usually observable. Examples include the use of recreational vehicles or snowmaking
machinery.
Indirect or deferred impacts from technology are those that are caused by the action, but
not immediately. They happen either before or after the event, but the impacts are still reasonably
predictable. Examples include equipment manufacture and transport.
Although impacts can be positive or negative, our focus here is on the impact of technology on the
actual outdoor environment (not its effect on our experience)

Question 4

fuel stoves direct and indirect impacts

Answer 4

Fuel stoves are lightweight, compact and versatile. Using a fuel stove for cooking in outdoor
environments, rather than a campfire, is often mentioned in camping codes of conduct.
Direct impacts of fuel stoves:
* contributes to atmospheric pollution
* reduces the need to burn timber.
Indirect impacts:
* requires fuel that needs to be sourced and refined
* manufacturing process requires a lot of energy, as well as creating a lot of waste

Question 5

snow makinf direct and indirect impacts

Answer 5

Direct impacts of snowmaking include:
* large amounts of water are required to make artificial snow, which negatively impacts on water
sources and the flora and fauna depending on them
water loss associated with making snow in the Australian Alps is equivalent to the annual water
consumption of a city with 500 000 people (Englebert, 2011)
* land clearing is required for trucks to access alpine areas
* extending the snow season and the amount of time people are spending in alpine areas means
less time for the environment to regenerate and replenish
* artificial 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 can modify
their habitat and food sources.
Indirect impacts of snowmaking include:
* large amounts of energy are required to produce artificial snow and fossil fuels are burnt, which
results in pollution of air, water and ecosystems
* the manufacturing process of snowmaking machinery and other equipment needed for the
production of artificial snow requires a high amount of energy
* a prolonged snow season results in more people populating alpine ski-resort areas for a longer period
of time, which results in increased power consumption, pollution and other associated impacts
* snowmaking is usually required when the environmental water levels are at their lowest, which means
that water has to be transported and stored before it is used to make snow and large equipment such
as trucks must be used to transport the water, which further pollutes the environment
* putting in place snowmaking machinery can lead to changing our landscape and altering ecosystems.