ENVIRONMENT

Across the globe, cities are tackling climate change by shifting away from fossil fuels. Yet a survey shows they’re now at very different stages. (Nat Geo News)

See how difficult it is to balance a city’s energy portfolio. You have the power!

Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources, including a link to today’s MapMaker Interactive map.

Discussion Ideas

• According to Nat Geo News, cities are shifting away from using fossil fuels. What are fossil fuels? Check out our encyclopedic entry on non-renewable energy for some help.
  • Fossil fuels are energy sources that formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. Fossil fuels are considered non-renewable resources because they take millions of years to form and fossil fuel resources are being used much more quickly than new ones are being made.

• What are the most popular fossil fuels?
  • According to the World Energy Council, the most popular fossil fuels in 2013 were coal, oil, and natural gas.

• What are some alternatives to fossil fuels? Check out our encyclopedic entry on renewable energy for some help.
  • solar energy
  • wind energy
  • marine energies, including tidal energy and wave energy
  • geothermal energy
  • hydroelectric energy
  • biomass energy
  • nuclear energy

• What are the most popular alternative energy sources?
  • According to the World Energy Council, the most popular alternative energy sources in 2013 were nuclear energy, hydroelectric energy, and biomass energy.

• Three U.S. cities report running entirely on renewable energy resources: Burlington, Vermont; Greensburg, Kansas; and Aspen, Colorado. Take a look at our game, “You Have the Power!” What landscape profiled in the game do each of these cities have? How do you think that landscape influences their energy portfolios? Take a look at today’s MapMaker Interactive map for some help.
  • Burlington is a mountain town. It lies on the banks of Lake Champlain in the Green Mountains.
    • Burlington’s energy portfolio relies on biomass (wood), hydropower, and wind energy.
  • Greensburg, Kansas, is a plains city. It is part of the Great Plains that stretch through the midwestern U.S. and Canada.
    • Greensburg’s energy portfolio relies on wind energy, solar energy, and biogas energy.
  • Aspen, Colorado, is a mountain town. It is part of the rugged Rocky Mountain landscape.
    • Aspen’s energy portfolio relies on hydropower, wind energy, and solar energy.

TEACHERS’ TOOLKIT

Nat Geo: Which Cities In the World Are Closest to Nixing Fossil Fuels?

Nat Geo: You Have the Power! game

Nat Geo: What cities are relying on renewable energy? map

World Energy Council: World Energy Resources—2013 Survey

(extra credit!) CDP: 2015 Cities Electricity Mix