11.4 Geographic Insights: Oceania Review and Self-Test

• 1. Climate Change and Water: Oceania’s sea level and freshwater resources are being impacted by climate change.

  • Question

    Which parts of Oceania are most vulnerable to changes brought about by climate change, and what changes are taking place? Which parts of the region contribute the most and least to greenhouse gas emissions?

  • Question

    Why are coral reefs important ecologically, and how are they threatened by climate change?
• 2. Food and Development: European systems for producing food and fiber introduced into Oceania have greatly changed environments.

  • Question

    How have European farm animals and crops introduced into Australia and New Zealand affected the economies of those countries? What is the purpose of the Dingo Fence? Has it worked?

  • Question

    How do foreign patterns of consumption affect this region, and what are the threats to Oceania’s food security?
• 3. Globalization and Development: Globalization, coupled with a greater focus on neighboring Asia (rather than on longtime European connections), has transformed patterns of trade and economic development across Oceania.

  • Question

    What does Asia buy from the Pacific islands, and what are Asia’s trade connections to Australia and New Zealand?

  • Question

    How does the loss of preferential trading ties with Europe affect the region’s workers and tax revenues?

  • Question

    Explain the effect of raw materials exports on Oceania’s GNIs.

  • Question

    Explain why many Pacific Islanders can be said to enjoy subsistence affluence despite having rather low monetary incomes.
• 4. Population and Urbanization: This largest region of the world is only lightly populated, but it is highly urbanized.

  • Question

    Why, despite its low average population densities, is the region highly urbanized?

  • Question

    Contrast the population growth rates in Australia and New Zealand with those in the rest of Oceania. In which parts of this region is the aging of the population of most concern?

  • Question

    Which parts of Oceania are both densely populated and threatened by climate change?
• 5. Gender, Power, and Politics: Changes in political empowerment have taken different forms across Oceania, but there is a general trend toward a more active role for women.

  • Question

    What are the interesting new trends in ethnic identities and the positioning of indigenous peoples in Oceania?

  • Question

    How do ideas about the proper exercise of political power in the Pacific islands differ from those found in Australia and New Zealand and some Europeanized islands? To what extent is the political philosophy known as the Pacific Way a counter to European ideas of democracy?

  • Question

    How do sports events and festivals help to forge a common identity and unity in this far-flung region?

  • Question

    Describe the possible changing gender roles of Pacific island women over the course of their lifetimes.

  • Question

    Describe how male roles have evolved in Australia and New Zealand, from colonial times to the present. Which domestic roles of Polynesian men contradict the image asserted by the haka?