Study Guides

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils about how humans have affected our world by looking at environmental issues such as plastic pollution and the impact of fossil fuel use. The unit leads pupils to question whether we are in a new geological epoch.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain why fossil fuels are being phased out and what challenges this creates.

Key Notes

• Fossil fuels release large amounts of carbon dioxide when burned.
• Fossil fuels are non-renewable and contribute to climate change.
• Some countries rely heavily on fossil fuels for energy and income.
• Moving away from fossil fuels requires investment and new technology.
• There is disagreement about how quickly fossil fuels should be phased out.

Vocabulary To Learn

• fossil fuel: natural substances that were formed over millions of years ago from the buried remains of ancient organisms. They include coal, oil and gas
• non-renewable energy: energy sources, such as fossil fuels, that cannot be replaced and will eventually run out
• renewable energy: sources of energy that can be reused and will not be used up or run out
• decarbonisation: reducing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from processes such as burning fossil fuels

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• We are sourcing more energy from renewables than fossil fuels.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Alternative energy supplies Study Guide
• An introduction to the Anthropocene Study Guide
• Evidence of the Anthropocene Study Guide
• Fieldwork: Analysing, concluding and evaluating air pollution data Study Guide
• Fieldwork: Planning an air pollution enquiry and collecting data Study Guide
• Fieldwork: Presenting air pollution data Study Guide
• Global governance Study Guide
• Our future climate Study Guide
• Plastic pollution Study Guide
• Sustainability: A new way of living Study Guide
• The human impact on ecosystems Study Guide
• The impact of consumption Study Guide
• Threats to oceans Study Guide