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The Untapped Energy Source That Could Power the Planet

Provided by: TED |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos Grades 6-8, 9-12

Synopsis

This enlightening TED talk video offers potential solutions for a near-complete transfer to renewable geothermal energy using the existing fossil fuel infrastructure and workforce.
The merging of current technologies with new innovations, coupled with the use of industry workers, is at the heart of these solutions presented.
The speaker highlights an example of an engineered geothermal well in Texas.

Subjects: Physics, Engineering

Authors: Jamie C. Beard

Region: Global, Texas

Languages: English

Positives

This resource is very focused on attainable solutions. It can be used as a source of pragmatic relief for students who may feel overwhelmed by climate change.
With the incorporation of oil and gas experts and drillers, this video emphasizes how climate solutions need not be embroiled in economic versus environmental positions. There are ideas that work for everyone involved.
Speaker Jamie Beard mentions her growth as she has moved through her journey. It may be helpful for some students to realize that the starting point is often not the ending point when embarking on noble work; flexibility and introspection are essential!

Prerequisites

The visuals in this video provide plenty of context for the subject matter, but a basic understanding of mining and drilling for fossil fuels would be beneficial.

Differentiation & Implementation

Invite students to consider how strongly they feel that climate solutions threaten the jobs/livelihoods of people working in the fossil fuel industry. Discuss their thoughts before viewing the video.
Challenge students to develop a design that offers a solution to a climate problem while using a segment of existing infrastructure to achieve that solution.
History has demonstrated instances of the industries that are harming the natural environment turning around and focusing their resources on solutions. Allow students to dig deeper into the circumstances that surrounded stratospheric ozone depletion of the 1970s and 1980s along with the steps both governments and the polluting industries took to address the problem.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.