Posts Tagged: cheddar gorge

17
Dec

2014

Scuba Diving, Conservation and Cable Cars

Reef forest. Image by Flickr user JennyHuang.

Reef forest. Image by Flickr user JennyHuang.

Can recreation and conservation co-exist? 

Ask groups like the Grand Canyon Escalade opposition group Save the Confluence or the anti-Cheddar Gorge Cable Car circle at Keep Cheddar Gorgeous and the answer seems clear—no, they cannot. 

Yet, of course they can. Recreation and conservation are not mutually exclusive. Look at scuba diving, for example. The current thinking from that field suggests that, in fact, recreation within natural environments tends to lead more people to help with conservation efforts in those very places. 

It may seem like a contradictory argument at first, but it’s really not. Despite some well-founded claims that inexperienced divers can damage the corral reefs they’re supposed to be enjoying, the scuba-diving community is known for its advocacy, conservation and awareness programs. And this ethos originates from a place of tourism, business and recreation.

As a group of Southern Cross University scholars pointed out in a paper from 2012, some scuba divers move from an initial place of wanting simply “to see the big stuff” towards a more nuanced understanding of underwater ecosystems. Through their first-hand encounters with marine environments, they become “integral to raising conservation awareness within the wider community.”  Read more



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22
Jun

2012

Weekly Roundup: More from England’s Urban Cable Car Aspirations

A quick look at some of the things that happened this week in the world of cable cars, urban gondolas and cable propelled transit:

  • London blogger Diamond Geezer has an excellent analysis of the Emirates AirLine, it’s speed, and prices. It’s a pretty interesting read though I’m not entirely sure that repeatedly calling the system the “Arabfly Dangleway” is either fair or appropriate. Note: you have to scroll down to his June 19th post.


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15
Jun

2012

Weekly Roundup: Cable Car Transit in Indonesia?

Gulangyu Island - the world's shortest ropeway is set for demolition.

A quick look at some of the things that happened this week in the world of cable cars, urban gondolas and cable propelled transit:

  • At only 202 meters long, Gulangyu Island’s urban ropeway system is said to be the shortest in the world. Built without approval in 1995, the system is being dismantled in preparation for the Chinese Island’s upcoming UNESCO World Cultural Heritage designation.
  • An eco-tourism consortium plans to conduct a pre-feasibility study for a cable car link to Machu Picchu’s ‘sister site,’ Choquequirao. Rightly or wrongly, I think we all know the controversy this one’s going to cause.


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09
Mar

2012

Weekly Roundup – Centennial Celebrations for Sugarloaf Cable Car in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Since its inception 100 years ago, the Sugarloaf Cable Car has transported over 37 million passengers. Image by Wikipedia.

A quick look at some of the highlights from around the world of Urban Gondolas, Gondola Transit, and Cable Propelled Transit:

  • Originally built in 1912, the Sugarloaf Cable Car is officially a centenarian. To this day, it continues to be one of top attractions for tourists in Rio de Janeiro.
  • Following the footsteps of other zoos (i.e. Kolmarden Wildlife Park in Sweden), the Oakland Zoo expansion plan includes a proposal for an aerial gondola. Concerns have been raised on whether a new gondola system is a fiscally responsible option at this time.
  • An aerial gondola line traversing Cheddar Gorge appears to be gaining traction in Somerset, UK. The cable lift is intended to reinvigorate interest and tourism within the surrounding site as visitor numbers have plummeted since the 90s.
  • Ngong Ping 360 cable is expected to reopen near Easter.


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