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The United States Congress passed the Wilderness Act (Public Law 88-577) over 35 years ago. It's statuary definition was, "A wilderness, in contrast to where man and his works dominate, is an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man – or where man himself is a visitor...an area retaining its primeval character and influence."
Today, approximately one-third of the earth's surface – about 12.4 billion acres – remains essentially untouched by modern man. About half of that area is "self-protecting" because it is so difficult to get to, or so forbidding in terrain and climate that humans are not interested in it.
- Have student teams select one of the six continents that are listed below along with its percentage of wilderness as of 1987. Antarctica is not included because it is 100% wilderness.
North American | 35.5% |
Africa | 30.3% |
Australia | 29.9% |
Asia | 27.2% |
South America | 24% |
Europe | 7.1% |
- Have the teams research their continent using printed and computer sources, maps and atlases to identify which areas might still qualify as wilderness. This can be mapped to be shared with the class.
- Finally, have the teams discuss reasons why some of these areas are increasingly threaten by humans, and what might be done to prevent further harm. They should also present reasons why people living near these remaining wilderness areas may feel very different about their use or potential use. If some of these areas were to be further developed, what consequences might results? For whom?
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