Introduction to Thermochemistry (START HERE)

2. Bigger Picture

Want to see the North? Canada's northern-most regions are becoming tourism hotspots. Before visiting the Arctic you will want to make sure your visit will not harm the area's delicate ecology. You might consider “going eco” on your next holiday!

Ecotourism—the opportunity to visit and observe natural habitat and wildlife without leaving a negative ecological footprint—is the new rage. Ecotourism encourages the use of sustainable resources and the promotion of sustainable development within the area visited. It also focuses on minimizing the impact of visitors on the wilderness showcased.

Ecotourism can provide for many unique holidays ranging from observing wildlife such as wolves, beluga whales, muskoxen, and caribou; to more energetic pursuits like canoe trips, whale watching in kayaks, travel by komatik, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and hiking. Ecotour accommodations vary from tents on the tundra to cozy lodges with gourmet meals.

When planning and delivering ecotours, ecoguides and tour operators must make many logistical decisions including how their tour participants will move around and what fuel will power any vehicles participants use.

In Module 1 you will plan an ecotour of the area in which you live. You will consider how thermodynamics can be applied to the type of equipment you will use and the practices you will follow during your ecotour. In your role as an ecotour operator you will evaluate what priority should be given to energy consumption when making decisions about your ecotour company and society's future.

As you develop a plan for your ecotour, you will consider the unique ecological, geological, or geographic aspects of your part of Alberta. Depending on where you live, you may develop a tour that features the stunning Cypress Hills or Rocky Mountains, the many lakes in the Lac La Biche area, or the many ways to navigate Edmonton's river valley.

Your ecotour planning will tie into the Module 1 Assessment. Read on to learn more about the lessons, activities, and assessments you will complete as you progress through Module 1.

You may have planned that participants in your ecotour will see parts of your local area by cycling. What mode of transportation could be more ecofriendly than cycling—transportation powered by people? However, the cyclists in your ecotour will likely need to be supported by a vehicle. If so, you might consider using a vehicle that uses an environmentally friendly fuel as its energy source.

Biodiesel is one such fuel that has been receiving a great deal of attention. Oil from the canola plants pictured to the right of the cyclists in the photograph can be used to produce biodiesel, as can waste vegetable oil from restaurants.

In Module 2 you will learn more about energy changes in chemical reactions while investigating the production, testing, and use of biodiesel as a possible fuel source for your ecotour.

The use of biodiesel as a vehicle fuel for your ecotour planning will tie into the Module 2 Assessment. Read on to learn more about the lessons, activities, and assessments you will complete as you progress through Module 2.