Eco-Tourism

Eco-Tourism -- officially as quoted--“Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education."(TIES, 2015). Unison of conservation, community, as well as sustainable travel, is what 'Eco-Tourism' is. To journey through quite undisturbed--almost uncharted areas. Such areas commonly contain programmes that benefit the environment and the well-being of the local people in that area. The difference that mass commercial tourism has compared to ecotourism is by a good margin. Whilst eco-tourism focuses on low impact and is required to be conserved under certain laws; mass tourism-- on modern advancement-- spoils the natural environment in which it is located at. With tens of thousands of people visiting a location it is often quite a cheap option, as such it is popular. That is not to say that eco-tourism is not popular but it is not to the extent of the previous. It is, however, a growing trend. Due to concerns and awareness to the environment and the likes more are looking at such options. Including opportunities for local people, educational travel, and accessible infrastructures are some of the reasons for its growing popularity. Knowing such differences and contrast, we are able to choose wiser, and so, better for the environment. By doing so we are able to protect against the decline of our domain.

There are several types of eco-tourism one of which is a focus of our topic[of the current term]. Marine ecotourism, it may perhaps be an action that would help our oceans. It may provide some solutions to some of the problems that we currently face such as the previous quandaries in presentation that I've completed before. The crisis that we face are continually addressed as such 'Marine ecotourism' have sprung up several times in regards to the health of our oceans. Often such destinations regarded as an "ecotourism" destinations are visited by people working in areas of conservation; research, studying ways in which to protect such places, benefitting nature in several forms of habitats and environments. Such actions provide chain reactions as well. Through building such areas of conservation potential benefits are obtained by local people as well.  A new study done in the country of the Philippines suggest that this fact is true. Not only that but, it has also indicated that it holds a major potential in increasing the sensitivity of the locals to protect the natural environment.  The aptitude of ecotourism in regards to protecting our oceans is clear.

The protection of many marine lives and the ocean itself is feasible with ecotourism--seen with several countries in practice. Countries that holds significant natural environments are especially affected by this--Philippines is a major example. Ecotourism--it has provided numerous beneficial outcomes to the environment--mainly the oceans and seas. Examples include an increase of wider perception to whale sharks -The research was completed in locations where visitors come to swim with whale sharks:Philippines- and other marine species. This has also spread into broader topics and parts of teh sea such as its ecosystem. This is further proven by change in behaviour, previous actions of the locals has included, as quoted "harming the sharks by hitting them with stones, harpoons, paddles, dynamite or riding them"; with current attitudes transforming into encouring others to mind the ocean and use more sustainable practices. As such due to this the quality of life as stated by locals, with an increase of job opportunities. In a way it has change the biodiversity in a positive way. 

Matariki

In the recent celebration of Matariki--we come to review some of our previous knowledge of this topic. This year the celebration of Matariki lies between the 19th of June/late June and the 11th of July/early July. Matariki-- a cluster of stars [9 stars] that from the eyes of a god.

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MATARIKI- The-eyes-of-Tawhirimatea -- courtesy: Twinkl

In the beginning of time there was nothing, no earth, sea or sky just, Te pō,  darkness. In this Te Kore, nothingness, Ranginui the sky father and Papatūānuku the earth mother came to be. They lay together in a tight embrace. Together, they had many children who were all male. The sons lived between them in the darkness. As the children grew up, they wondered what it would be like to live in the light. Tūmatauenga, the fiercest of all the sons, shouted to his brothers, “Let’s kill them!”  The brothers disagreed. Tānemahuta, the god of the forests and birds, had a solution to the problem, “We will push them apart, Ranginui will be in the sky above us and Papatūānuku will stay below us so she remains close.”Rongomātāne, the god of cultivated food, tried to push his parents apart. He pushed and pushed with no success. Then Tangaroa, the god of the sea, and Haumia-tiketike, the god of wild food joined him. Together they pushed and pushed but still their parents would not let go of each other. Eventually, Tāne tried. He placed his shoulders on his mother and his feet on his father and pushed hard for a very long time. Rangi and Papa called out in distress, “Why are you doing this?” 

“Please don’t separate us.”  Tāne continued to push with his strong legs, until finally Rangi and Papa were prised apart.

The children were excited to finally have light and space to move. Tāwhirimātea, the god of the wind, was angry about the separation. He could not stand to hear his parents in pain, or to see the tears coming from Ranginui.Tāwhirimātea was so angry that in a rage he threw his eyes up into the sky. 

His eyes are now known as the stars of Matariki. 

The story above is what we've read and a factor which we have used as a way to understand Matariki-- as well as its origins. Whilst doing so we would also learn such in the form of learning the clusters themselves and what they mean--at least in the beliefs.

-Matariki--people’s health and wellbeing.

-Tupu-ā-rangi--things that grow up in trees, including fruits, berries and birds.

-Waipuna-ā-rangi--rainfall.

-Waitī--freshwater bodies and foods from these waters.

-Ururangi--the winds.

-Tupu-ā-nuku--food that is gathered/harvested from the soil.

-Waitā--the ocean and foods that come from it.

-Pōhutukawa--those who have passed on.

-Hiwa-i-te-rangi--attainment of goals or wishing star.

Overfishing:Short Term---Long Term

Lawyer Paragraph of Overfishing:

Overfishing--overexploitation--has an umpteen amount of negative consequences to the ecosystem. Its importance should be taken at most urgent and at a most fundamental level. Our whole system of life depends on what is done with our tendencies to over-exploit marine species. Such is supported by countless who work in the field of research involving such aspects of cycles and species. During the stated research overfishing is often seen resulting in overpopulation of other species. Overpopulation, an occurrence that happens throughout many different species [including humans], in many aspects, negative. Unsurprisingly, when sharks were overexploited in a South American inlet, overpopulation of jellyfish came. As such this resulted in dangerous waters, which humans and other marine species alike could not go in. Connecting into the previous statement, the action of over-exploitation affects the food chain; in many ways would then affect our ecosystem. Humans are great examples of being to affect many species and even the world itself. This is often supported by world problems that we have, including global warming, overexploitation, overfishing and many others. Species which may be an apex predator may not be able to fulfil their roles, as such overpopulation happens. . Species which perhaps keep the balance wouldn't be able to[such as what happened with the previous example of sharks and jelly fishes]. 

Short Film-Kasunduan [Oath]--English Project

During the past few weeks, we have been in action and in doing a project that was tasked for us in English. In this term, we have been looking at film studies and how films have many aspects similar or in fact the same as those in a novel, per see. However, unlike the studies that were done in the previous year, we then quite quickly began to look at shooting our own films. This was done in several weeks that included the planning, filming and post-production. A challenge was set for us with not only filming but also with the subject that we needed to interpret. In the previous term, we looked at Shakespeare, specifically "The Merchant of Venice"; a 'retelling' of the 'court' scene was needed. This perhaps could be from the idea of the court scene, the values that it possesses or other aspects of what it was.

We have created our film with such topics in mind. Yet, we have altered to our view of what the court scene can be-- taking inspiration from great movies such as "The Godfather", fragments from "John Wick" and a few other films from our country to make the movie scene. The idea of "oaths" was taken quite greatly from "The Merchant of Venice". This is seen clearly in the stakes of the "oath" implemented in our film. In a sense around midway through the film, an actual court was "set". The film created was about an oath of two siblings. A sibling which has helped the other to get back into the family[Mafia family] after marrying someone who was not to their class. However, in doing so agreement was done and the agreement proposed anything is possible for the other to do. This then becomes a problem as a family was at stakes. What can be done?

In the filming of this movie, we have used several camera techniques. Some of the camera techniques that used [not in the Film Techniques rubrik] were "Eye Level" and "Over The Shoulder" angles. Such techniques are seen throughout the film and were used quite commonly as it has progressed. Though we have successfully created a film, there were problems along the way.  The weather was one of them, lighting was different at times; many takes were needed for a few scenes and problem with a few dialogues and shootings. The biggest problem however was the sound, the wind was quite unpredictable and has affected the audio quite a bit. This was a bit hectic in the post-production and it may be the aspect that I would do differently if this was done again.  I learnt a lot in terms of a fragment of the movie industry. How arduous the process of creating an effective film is, however, I loved it, it was something that I enjoyed doing.

Prezi: Sustainable Fishing

In several previous lessons, we have been looking at a new way to present the data that we have created. One of our major focuses is looking at being able to create a paragraph that not only contains plenty in terms of words--sentences--but in standard as well. Looking a being able to produce different types of sentences as well as paragraphs. Building more complex text that we are able to present. The topic of sea and ocean pollution has been present in the several blog posts that I have posted. In this, however, we collect the data and dig deeper into the industry of fishing.  

Wellbeing

 For the past 3 weeks, we have been looking at improving our wellbeing-- as a part of an assessment for credits. We have looked at what makes our well-being, parts of our well-being and what exactly is our well being. Choosing factors such as physical, mental and social- by means of time management-- the three factors which I chose. A plan was to improve the part of our well-being that we have chosen. As such, I have set goals for the factors; with losing weight for physical well-being, optimism for mental well-being, and time management specifically for school--social. This plan was to carried and done for 3 weeks--ending on the 9th of June. 

The goals that I have set upon myself were achieved. I have given the evidence via recording and writing down my process. Only time will tell if I have completed the task to the standard of passing.

Reflection: Tower Of God

Recently, an event that I've been waiting for around a year has occurred. Last year, was the peak of the pandemic in New Zealand in which a lockdown was implemented to reprehend this disease. During the lockdown, there were not many things to do, with much time in our hands. In such a time I have discovered a love for Manwhas, especially the one that includes fantasy as its genre. One of the first manwhas that I've read was "Tower of God". instantly during only a few moments after the initial reading, I have fallen in love. It became one of my most loved "book"--story--to read, with a premise quite different from many of the same genre. It became a story that I read for hours at a time only occasionally stopping for breaks. The manwha updated weekly and it became a part of my routine to read the new chapters. However, disaster came on the 29th of June in which an unexpected hiatus came.

It caused me great distress when this had happened, not only was I worried about the story itself, but for the author as well. It became a monthly task for me to check in with news about the stated story. Finally on the 17th of May--almost a year after-- the hiatus was broken. It has affected me in a way that I've never thought of. I was extremely happy, stories and books should be taken in more regard. We need to try things that we've never tried before, it may change ourlives. It certainly did mine...

Summary:" The series follows a young boy named Twenty-Fifth Bam, who has spent his life beneath a gigantic tower. The only other person in his life is a girl named Rachel, who finds her way into the mysterious tower. Determined to be reunited with his friend, Bam also enters the tower. "

-cbr.com