New
New
Impacts of transport on the greenhouse effect
I can compare the impact of different types of transport on global warming.
Lesson 4 of 6
New
New
- Year 8
Impacts of transport on the greenhouse effect
I can compare the impact of different types of transport on global warming.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Burning fuels for transport produces greenhouse gases, other pollutant gases, and particulates.
- Petrol and diesel vehicles burn fuels, while electric vehicles do not, but fuels may be burned to generate electricity.
- The energy use of planes, trains, cars, ships, and buses can be compared.
- Vehicles use energy and resources during manufacturing.
- Parts of vehicles may become waste at the end of their useful lives.
Keywords
Greenhouse gases - gases in the atmosphere that keep it warmer than it would be without them
Particulates - solid particles and liquid droplets in the air
Contrail - the white cloud-like trail behind an aeroplane made of ice crystals
Recycle - to convert waste material into new products
Common misconception
Greenhouse gases are only emitted in the life of a vehicle when it is moving.
Discuss greenhouse gas emissions caused by the extraction of resources, production of materials, manufacturing of parts and the vehicle itself, as well as the recycling and disposal of the vehicle at the end of its life.
This lesson is intended to include comparisons only between powered common types of transport. The emphasis is deliberately limited to the differences in greenhouse gas emissions, their causes, and, in the case of contrails, other factors that affect the greenhouse effect.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words about the greenhouse effect with their definitions.
Match the words about the greenhouse effect with their definitions.
Q2.What is the increase in Earth’s temperature above what is has been for many thousands of years called?
What is the increase in Earth’s temperature above what is has been for many thousands of years called?
Q3.What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
total effect of all greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
effect of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
increase in temperature of Earth since the industrial revolution
Q4.What is the name given to the average weather conditions in a country or region?
What is the name given to the average weather conditions in a country or region?
Q5.What would happen to Earth’s average temperature if the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increased less quickly than it is now?
What would happen to Earth’s average temperature if the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increased less quickly than it is now?
fall very quickly
fall slowly over a long period of time
continue to rise, but more quickly
Q6.What would happen to Earth’s average temperature if the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere started to decrease?
What would happen to Earth’s average temperature if the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere started to decrease?
fall very quickly
continue to rise, but less quickly
continue to rise, but more quickly
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are tiny particles of solids or droplets of liquids in the air called?
What are tiny particles of solids or droplets of liquids in the air called?
Q2.What are some of the advantages of electric cars?
What are some of the advantages of electric cars?
usually cheaper to buy than similar petrol cars
can be fully charged in one or two minutes
Q3.How do electric cars cause some greenhouse gas emissions?
How do electric cars cause some greenhouse gas emissions?
charging using electricity produced by solar panels
emitting carbon dioxide from their batteries
Q4.What word describes what happens to over 85% of a car at the end of its life?
What word describes what happens to over 85% of a car at the end of its life?
Q5.Order the forms of transport for a family of four travelling from London to Paris, starting with the one that emits the least amount of greenhouse gases.
Order the forms of transport for a family of four travelling from London to Paris, starting with the one that emits the least amount of greenhouse gases.
Q6.What to aeroplanes produce that increases the greenhouse effect?
What to aeroplanes produce that increases the greenhouse effect?
clouds
particulates
