Search for Resources
Three Hundred Years of Fossil Fuels in Three Hundred Seconds
The Ultimate Roller Coaster Ride
Secondary
Description
This video uses a series of simple graphics to trace our dependence on fossil fuels from coal and the Industrial Revolution to our current (according to the authors) situation, characterized by increasing population and industrialism, leading to increased consumption, increased CO2 production and a dangerous deterioration in the natural environment.
It concludes with a recipe for ending this roller coaster of unsustainable development that involves limiting population growth, ending our dependence on fossil fuels and righting our environmental legacy.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This is an interesting, but debatable, short history of the consequences of fossil fuels from the Industrial Revolution to the present. Students should approach it as representing a particular perspective with assumptions and claims that should be subjected to critical analysis. As such, it offers an opportunity to practice the skills associated with critical analysis- who's views are represented here?, is this a balanced report?, who's perspective is missing?, where is the line between fact and onion with respect to the information provided? how sophisticated is the analysis provided?, does the analysis recognize the complexity of the issue?
The video is therefore highly useful where the process is critical analysis and the content is our use of fossil fuels and the consequence of that use. This would involve integration of Language Arts, Media Studies, Environmental Science, and Social Studies. at the grades 10-12 level.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- English/Language Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- New Media 10: Digital citizens have rights and responsibilities in an increasingly globalized society.
- New Media 10: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- English/Language Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Literary Studies 11: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
- New Media 11: Digital citizenship requires both knowledge of digital technology and awareness of its impact on individuals and society
- New Media 11: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- English/Language Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- English Studies 12:The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
- New Media !2: Digital citizens have rights and responsibilities in an increasingly globalized society.
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 12: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Specialized Science 12: Climate change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem health
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Learning and Living Sustainably (STSE)
- Science 10 Science for Sustainable Societies
- Science 10 Science for Sustainable Societies: Scientific Literacy
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Advanced Environmental Science 120:Introduction to the human sphere
- Introduction to Environmental Science 120: Investigating Environmental Issues
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- World Issues 120:Interdependence
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Geography 10: Spaceship Earth
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- AP Environmental Science: Energy Consumption and Resources
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- English/Language Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Media Studies (Open) Media and Society
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Conservation of Energy
- Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Scientific Solutions to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
- Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Energy Conservation
- Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
- Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Natural Resource Science and Management
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.) Dynamics and Change
- Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Global Connections
- The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep) : Ecological Systems: Interactions and Interdependence
- The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
- The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Prfeparation)
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Geography of Canada 421A: Canada’s Global Connections
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 621A: Environmental Challenges and Successes
- Environmental Science 621A: Natural Resources
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science & Technology: The Living World
- Science & Technology:The Living World
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- English/Language Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- New Media 10: Digital citizens have rights and responsibilities in an increasingly globalized society.
- New Media 10: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- English/Language Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Literary Studies 11: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
- New Media 11: Digital citizenship requires both knowledge of digital technology and awareness of its impact on individuals and society
- New Media 11: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- English/Language Arts
- Step 4Relevant matches
- English Studies 12:The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
- New Media !2: Digital citizens have rights and responsibilities in an increasingly globalized society.
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 12: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Specialized Science 12: Climate change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem health
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)
- Climate Change
Citizenship (2)
- Alternative Globalisation
- Sustainable Consumption
Economics (1)
- Globalization
Energy (3)
- Alternative Energy
- Energy Generation
- Energy Use
Science and Technology (1)
- Appropriate Technology
