Blog
2100 - no more fossil fuels
3rd November 2014
Our planet is 4.5 billion years old and so the year 2100 is just a geological blink of an eye away. Yet the Intergovernmental panel on climate change believes that our reliance on fossil fuels, that is the burning of coal, oil and gas should all but be phased out by this date.
This speculative target can can lead into a fascinating class discussion on energy and how to rapidly reduce the worlds reliance on fossil fuels. Are wind, wave, solar viable alternatives? How can technology help? Is the expansion of the Nuclear energy programme necessary or should the use of this low carbon energy be curtailed. Germany for example has decided to decommission all of its nuclear energy by 2022 on the back of the Fukushima crisis.
Germany to close Nuclear plants
We like to think how other people and nations pollute but how much do we as individuals add to carbon in the atmosphere. Students should try one of the carbon footprint calculators to see their own impact.
WWF carbon footprint calculator
What can students do locally, within the school environment to curtail their impact. Can students come up with an action plan on how the school can become more energy efficient.