Unit Three - Tourism and the Environment

APRIL 4th - Introduction to Tourism and the Environment

Will tourism save or destroy the most biodiverse place on Earth?

Duration: 48 minutes | Directed by Eytan Elterman and Marco Bollinger

The tropical rainforest of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula contains 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity on less than one millionth of the planet’s surface. Its incredible natural beauty has caught the eye of the tourism industry and the planned construction of an international airport threatens to transform the region forever. Spanning more than five years, 2.5% – The Osa Peninsula weaves together voices from Osa residents, local leaders and conservation experts as they attempt to build a tourism industry that balances environmental protection with the needs of local communities.

With themes that resonate well beyond the borders of Costa Rica, the film illuminates the effects of tourism development on local communities and offers a hopeful vision for the future of travel in the planet's most fragile places.

2.5% - The Osa Peninsula Full Video

April 5 - EcoTourism

April 6th - EcoTourism in Costa Rica

Questions:

Refer to an atlas map showing Central America. How would you describe the relative location of Costa Rica (where is it according to its proximity to nearby country and features)?
What natural features have helped Costa Rica develop a huge potential for eco-tourism?
How important is tourism to the economy of Costa Rica?
What are the main threats to the eco-tourism industry in Costa Rica?
What could the government of Costa Rica do to help sustain an environment into which thousands of tourists are pouring every year?

April 7th - Land Use by Age Group

ALL.I.CAN - FILM

…An unparalleled cinematic experience: All.I.Can is a stunning exploratory essay that compares the challenges of big mountain skiing to the challenges of global climate change. Shot on 6 continents over 2 years, the world’s best skiers deliver inspirational performances while ground-breaking cinematography expands our vision of the natural world.

Journey through Morocco’s majestic desert peaks, Greenland’s icy fjords, Chile’s volcanic craters, Alaskan spine walls, and more. Join the revolution and experience one of the most spectacular, captivating, and thought-provoking films ever created in the action sports genre.

ALL.I.CAN

April 8 - Rain Forest Alternative

Questions:

Describe the location of Manaus.
Write an itinerary, or list of planned events, for Dwight Brown's trip into the Amazon Rainforest.
We all have ideas about what the tropical rain forest is like, even when we haven't visited before.
1. What ideas did Dwight Brown seem to have that were proven correct or proven wrong by reading his account?
2. What ideas did you have that were proven correct or proven wrong by reading his account?
What might an environmentalist say about this kind of tourism development in the rainforest?
How might this kind of development affect the culture of the local people?
If you were experiencing this trip, what would be your most memorable moment? Why?

April 11 - Protecting and Preserving Natural Spaces

April 12 - UNESCO

April 13th & 14th - Working in Computer Lab Completing Assignment

April 19th - World UNESCO Sites - Presented by Your Classmates

April 20th - Intro to National Parks

A five-part documentary series about the world's most breathtaking national parks and the wildlife that live there.

Netflix

April 21 & 22 & 25 - UNESCO Selection

Word Document Download

STOP HERE - WE HAVE NOT GONE PAST THIS POINT

Lessons in Creation Phase

For the following locations do the following;

Locate on the black line master of North America
Answer these questions;
1. What type of region are these locations? (Refer back to lesson 1.4 to refresh what a region is)
2. What type of activities could happen there?
3. What types of tourism industry might be associated with these locations? (Refer back to lesson 1.4 on types of tourisms)
4. What are some environmental challenges these locations face?
5. How might these industries change to better protect the environment? (Provide 3 solutions for each)

Locations

Banff National Park, Alberta Canada
Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska USA
Everglades National Park, Florida USA
Haleakala National Park, Hawaii USA
Joshua Tree National Park, California USA
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona USA
Point Pelee National Park, Ontario Canada
St. Lawrence Islands National Park, Ontario Canada
Sones River National Battlefield, Tennessee USA
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming USA

Tourism and the Environment