Energy resources in the UK
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can discuss opportunities and challenges resulting from the UK's changing energy mix.
Key learning points
- Changing demand and provision of energy in the UK creates opportunities and challanges.
- The energy mix in the UK is changing.
- There are reduced domestic supplies of coal, gas and oil.
- There are economic and environmental issues associated with energy exploitation.
Keywords
Non-renewables - natural sources of energy that will run out because they cannot be reproduced, such as fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and nuclear power (uranium)
Carbon emissions - the release of carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming
Energy mix - the combination of different energy sources used by a country or a region. The energy mix can change over time
Renewables - natural sources of energy that will never run out, such as wind, water and solar energy
Common misconception
Only the extraction and use of non-renewable energy has environmental consequences.
Renewables and recyclables can have environmental consequences too, although they generally cause less harm than fossil fuels. These consequences can include impacts on biodiversity and the ability of ecosystems to absorb carbon dioxide.
Teacher tip
GIS offers excellent opportunities to identify and assess (e.g. measure change over time) environmental impacts of energy extraction and generation in the UK landscape.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match these terms with their definitions.
a country’s range of energy sources
fuels like coal, oil and gas made from ancient remains
a source that won’t run out, like wind or solar
Q2.What is meant by the UK’s changing energy mix?
Q3.Which of these is a renewable energy source?
Q4.What is an environmental concern with fossil fuels?
Q5.What is one economic challenge of renewable energy?
Q6.Which of these is a benefit of renewable energy?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
Natural energy sources that will run out
Carbon released into the atmosphere
A country’s combination of energy sources
Natural energy sources that won’t run out
Q2.What is the main concern with carbon emissions?
Q3.The UK is reducing use because of pollution and carbon emissions.
Q4.What is one reason the UK still uses some fossil fuels?
Q5.Which statement best shows a misunderstanding about energy impacts?
To help you plan your 11 geography lesson on: Energy resources in the UK, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 geography lesson on: Energy resources in the UK, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 geography lessons from the Resources in the UK unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.