What arguments are the authors of "The Last Wilderness Preserve" and "A New Land of Opportunity" making about how human behavior and actions impact Antarctica? Which author do you feel presents the stronger argument and why? Write an essay of two to three paragraphs explaining your answers. Be sure to include details from both texts in your response.
Answers
Answer:
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"A New Land of Opportunity"
by Michael Serillo
1 Antarctica is a continent of untamed wilderness, wonderful beauty, and fantastic mystery. It is a land of extremes and may hold the answers to some of our most enduring questions about our world. However, relatively few people have ventured to explore Antarctica. While Antarctica still exists in its present state, people must take the opportunity to explore and learn about this mysterious land.
2 Like all continents, Antarctica has a wide variety of resources. Although most of the continent is covered in sheets of ice, the ground below below the ice contains large amounts of useful minerals such as coal, iron and copper, and precious metal such as such as gold and platinum. Who knows what other materials are yet to be discovered?
3 In addition, the seas around the continent teem with useful and valuable ocean life, including fish, crab, whales, and seals. Our planet has a limited supply of natural resources, so humans need to take advantage of all possible sources.
4 Perhaps the greatest resource f all in Antarctica is the scientific knowledge it offers. The Antarctic Treaty of 1959, an agreement signed by twelve nations, designated Antarctica to study its fascinating secrets.
5 Astronomers have used the clear, icy land as a platform for studying the stars and collecting meteorites. There is also a wealth of archeological material under the ice, evidence of an era when Antarctica was not as frigid. Fossils and dinosaur bones are among the exciting finds. In addition, scientists based in Antarctica have used the land's unique features to study gravity, changes in the oceans, and earthquakes--all forms of knowledge that can benefit people worldwide.
6 Scientists may also study Antarctica for clues about climate change. Recent discoveries have shown that global warming has led to the melting of much of the continent's ice. Someday, the amazing frozen land may have little ice remaining. People should travel to Antarctica now to enjoy its unique qualities while that still exist. Perhaps in doing so, people may even discover new ways to protect the ice from future damage.
7 Although not many people actually live on the continent, in recent years tens of thousands of tourists have been setting sail for its frozen shores. Clearly, people love the adventure and beauty of Antarctica. Someday, advances in technology may give people clearance to colonize Antarctica and finally take full advantage of this most fascinating land.
QUESTION: How does the author of "A New Land of Opportunity" introduces the claim that people love the adventure and beauty of Antarctica?