Costs and benefits to fossil fuel alternatives
I can assess the costs and benefits of alternatives to fossil fuels.
Costs and benefits to fossil fuel alternatives
I can assess the costs and benefits of alternatives to fossil fuels.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The UK's energy mix has diversified in response to policies of reducing carbon emissions and improving energy security.
- 2020 was the UK's first year in which more electricity came from alternatives to fossil fuels than from non-renewables.
- Alternatives to fossil fuels can reduce carbon emissions, improve energy security and diversify the energy mix.
- Alternatives to fossil fuels include biofuels, wind, solar, HEP and future technologies such as hydrogen.
- Alternatives to fossil fuels have both benefits and costs.
Keywords
Energy mix - the combination of different energy sources used by a country or a region. The energy mix can change over time
Energy security - the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price
Carbon footprint - the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere by an individual, product, process, country, etc
Common misconception
If you got your electricity from 100% renewable energy sources, then your carbon footprint would be zero.
Even if all your electricity comes from renewables, other parts of your lifestyle (like the manufacture of the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the technology you use) still produce carbon emissions elsewhere — often in other countries.
To help you plan your year 11 geography lesson on: Costs and benefits to fossil fuel alternatives, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 geography lesson on: Costs and benefits to fossil fuel alternatives, 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.
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Explore more key stage 4 geography lessons from the Energy unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
A country's combination of energy sources
Having reliable and affordable energy avalibility
Total greenhouse gases caused by one person or activity