Fernando M. Reimers et a1.

Activity 7.7.3

Energy Options

Through this activity students will learn about the different sources of en—
ergy, learn about cost—benefit analyses, and learn about consumption pat—
terns around the world.

Students visit energygov, and in small groups, they use that resource and
others to research energy sources including bioenergy, coal, fusion, geother—
mal, hydrogen, hydropower, natural gas, oil, and renewables (e.g., solar and
Wind). The teacher then explains the basic concept of benefits and costs:
that one way people make choices is by weighing how much a given choice
will cost against what its benefits will be. They should include the produc—
tion, world security, human, health, economic, and environmental benefits
and costs, among others. Students are then asked to try to determine some
way to evaluate what the long— and short—term benefits and costs of each
energy choice could be. Next, the teacher leads the class in a look at energy
consumption patterns throughout the world, using a tool such as the UN’s
200713716710 Balances and Electricity Profiles (http://unstats.un.org/unsd/en—
ergy/balance/default.htm).

The teacher then facilitates a discussion by asking the following questions:
Why do some countries use more energy than others?

Why do some countries use different types of energy than others?
How do these trends compare by region?

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Which regions or countries tend to be better for the environment in
terms of energy consumption?

5. Are there any associations between energy types and zones of
conflict?

Note that one of the opportunities of this lesson is to show how energy

choices can have a profound effect on human life far and wide. In as many
ways as possible, bring to light the advantages and disadvantages of energy

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