Every day we use energy to warm our houses, move our vehicles, and run our appliances. Every product we buy and use is manufactured, packaged and shipped to the store, and uses energy in the process.
Energy is of great value, but there are problems associated with using it.
Every day we hear reports of global warming caused by burning fuels in vehicles, homes, industries, and electrical plants. Our use of energy also causes urban smog, loss of wildlife habitat, and marine oil spills. Understanding the connections between energy and the environment is a basic step toward finding solutions. By the time students have finished these activities, they'll know where energy comes from, the tasks we use it for, the environmental impacts of energy use, and what they can do to reduce energy use. Environmental issues, including those relating to energy, are complex.