Module 2A Outer Space Did you know that the computer you are using is contributing to global warming? So are the lights in the room and the hot water that you used for your last shower In fact, anything that uses energy derived from fossil fuels increases greenhouse gas emissions But what are fossil fuels? These fuels were formed millions of years ago from plants and animals that died and disintegrated under tons of soil and rock These remains, along with hardened bone fragments from the prehistoric animals, are called fossils Unfortunately, the reserves are not limitless Scientists predict that within the next two centuries we will run out of those valuable energy sources This means that we need to find renewable energy, i.e energy that can be used over and over again and causes less pollution Where can we get this energy? From the sun, wind, water, and also from trees, plants and even from rubbish After food, fossil fuel is humanity’s most important source of energy There are three major fuels: coal, oil and natural gas Coal is used primarily to produce electricity Oil enables us to use means of transport Natural gas is mainly used to produce heat, for industrial processes and, in some countries, it is used as fuel as well Together, fossil fuels provide more than 85% of the energy used by humankind today Activities 1 Match these statements with the corresponding paragraphs in the text a Fossil fuels exhaustion by the 22nd century b The importance and use of fossil fuels c How we contribute to the greenhouse effect in our daily activities d The origin of fossil fuels English Toolkit - Natural Sciences Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A / Richmond 2011 Clean energy Module 2A 2 Answer these questions a What are fossil fuels? Which are the most important types? b What are they used for? 3 State if the following sentences are true (T) or false (F) a Most of the energy the world uses comes from fossil fuels b Millions of years must go by to have fossil fuels c Non-renewable energy can be replaced as we use it d Fossil fuel energy is renewable a Can you mention some elements that are contributing to global warming? b Do most cars emit greenhouse gases? c What are fossil fuels? d Which is the first source of energy for human beings? e How many major fossil fuels are there? f What is natural gas mainly used for? Yes, they Food Heating and industrial processes These are fuels formed millions of years ago from dead plants and animals Computers, lights in a room, hot water and so on There are three: coal, oil and natural gas 5 Write a caption that illustrate the ideas in the activity above for these pictures 6 Group work Choose: a Find out more information about the formation of fossil fuels and how they are obtained and used Write a report b Find out about the changes in the consumption of fossil fuels around the world one hundred years ago and in the present Illustrate the results with a pie chart Write a report What conclusion can you reach? c Research into the reserves of fossil fuels in your country Locate them on a map English Toolkit - Natural Sciences Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A / Richmond 2011 4 Read the text again and match the questions and answers