New
New
Using energy wisely
I can identify ways to reduce use of fossil fuels and explain why this matters.
Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
- Year 5
Using energy wisely
I can identify ways to reduce use of fossil fuels and explain why this matters.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Energy use (electricity, heat and transport) account for more than 60% of carbon emissions.
- Monitoring electricity usage around the school, i.e. where appliances are left on or on standby, can reduce energy use.
- Generating renewable energy creates far lower emissions than burning fossil fuels.
Keywords
Transport - Transport is a way of travelling between places.
Inequality - Inequality is when something is not shared evenly between everyone.
Renewable - Renewable means that something can be re-used and will not be used up or run out.
Energy - Energy is the power used to make things work.
Common misconception
Some children may think that net zero means zero carbon emissions.
Net zero actually refers to a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by their removal out of the atmosphere.
Children could further monitor the energy they have saved by graphing electricity consumption using meter readings. There are also lots of brilliant carbon cutting projects and schemes that schools can sign up to including Cut Your Carbon, The Pod’s Switch off fortnight and Walk to School Week.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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.Carbon is important because it can the greenhouse effect.
Carbon is important because it can the greenhouse effect.
improve
decrease
Q2.All continents create the same amount of greenhouse gases. Is this true or false?
All continents create the same amount of greenhouse gases. Is this true or false?
Q3.What effect have humans had on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
What effect have humans had on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has decreased.
The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has remained the same.
Q4.Which continent produces the least carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels?
Which continent produces the least carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels?
North America
Asia
Q5.Match the keywords to their definitions.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Q6.Which actions will reduce your carbon footprint?
Which actions will reduce your carbon footprint?
using the car
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key word to its definition.
Match the key word to its definition.
Q2.Which of these are fossil fuels?
Which of these are fossil fuels?
wood
water
Q3.Fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas are dug up and burnt to generate .
Fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas are dug up and burnt to generate .
Q4.An increase in greenhouse gases causes
An increase in greenhouse gases causes
no change to global temperatures
a decrease in global temperatures
Q5.Why do fossil fuels have an important role in global sustainability?
Why do fossil fuels have an important role in global sustainability?
their use keeps CO² stable in the atmosphere
their use decreases the amount of CO² in the atmosphere
Q6.Do all places emit the same amount of CO² from burning fossil fuels?
Do all places emit the same amount of CO² from burning fossil fuels?
No - most people in poorer countries emit more carbon dioxide,
Yes - people in all places emit carbon dioxide equally.
Q6 OurWorldinData.org/co2-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions, 2024, CC BY
