Overview
What are fossil fuels? Why do so many people dislike them? Are they bad for us? Are they bad for the environment? What are the alternatives? This segment looks at the debate over fossil fuels.

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Lesson Insights

Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Science / Technology
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings

What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• explain what fossil fuels are;
• differentiate between renewable and non-renewable energy sources; and
• hypothesize the consequences of limiting the use of fossil fuels.

Key concepts and terms covered
Fossil Fuels and Renewable Energy.

Sample discussion questions
• Do you use fossil fuels? Which ones? In what ways?
• Alex Epstein said that the fossil fuel industry “makes all of our lives possible.” Does it? Explain.
• Germany has been mining more coal and building coal-fired electric generating plants to replace the non-polluting nuclear power plants they are eliminating. Their plan is to use more renewable energy, but that isn’t working out so well. Are there any lessons in this for our country?
• To save fish, the Sierra Club actively works to eliminate dams, many of which are used to generate electricity. If the result is to burn more pollution-generating carbon fuels, is their position self-defeating? Why/Why not?
• It has been said that without energy, we’re living in the Dark Ages. What do you think about that? What has made our lives different from those who lived in the Dark Ages? Are our lives better or worse? What about our standard of living? Life expectancy? What have been some of the major factors in the changes from the Dark Ages to modern times?

What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 10-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, and classroom activities.

Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.