History of Fossil Fuels
During the Industrial Revolution, which fuel source replaced wood because it produced more heat and was easier to obtain?
What is coal?
Which pollutant forms when fossil fuels burn incompletely and can cause deadly poisoning inside homes?
What is carbon monoxide?
Which renewable energy source uses panels to turn sunlight into electricity?
What is solar power?
What happens to soil when too many fertilizers are added over time?
What are changes to the chemical balance and nutrients stability?
What is one major human activity that reduces biodiversity by removing habitats?
What is deforestation due to agriculture, mining, or farming?
What major invention in the late 1800s increased the global demand for oil?
What is the automobile?
What two major gases from car exhaust contribute to smog formation?
What are sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)?
Which renewable energy source uses moving air to turn turbines?
What is wind energy?
What process describes fertile land becoming unusable due to drought, erosion, or harmful farming practices?
What is desertification?
How does losing tree cover affect atmospheric CO₂ levels?
CO₂ levels increase because fewer trees are absorbing it.
Why did fossil fuel use surge in the mid-1900s?
What is rapid population growth and expansion of industry?
Name one health effect linked to long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution.
What is asthma, lung disease, or heart disease?
Which renewable resource uses flowing water to generate electricity?
What is hydroelectric power?
Why are GMOs important for feeding a growing world population?
They increase crop yield and require fewer resources like water and pesticides
What is one way humans help protect wildlife populations?
Habitat restoration, wildlife sanctuaries, hunting licenses, pollution control.
Give one environmental problem caused by increased fossil fuel use after the 1950s.
What is air pollution, acid rain, or habitat destruction?
Why did removing lead from gasoline dramatically reduce developmental and neurological problems?
What is lead from car exhaust contaminating air, soil, and water?
Which renewable energy source uses heat stored beneath Earth’s surface?
What is geothermal energy?
How do pesticides or herbicides impact soil chemistry?
They introduce chemicals that disrupt natural nutrient cycles.
Why does losing species reduce ecosystem stability?
Because fewer species means fewer interactions to keep the ecosystem balanced.
Fossil fuels shaped modern society by making energy cheap and accessible. What type of society did this lead to?
What is a consumer-driven, energy-dependent society?
How can fossil fuel use inside the home indirectly harm human health besides burning?
What is creating indoor air pollution that worsens breathing problems?
Give two reasons why renewable energy improves public health.
What is reducing air pollution, lowering greenhouse gases, cutting indoor pollutants, or decreasing fossil fuel combustion?
Give two human actions that can cause desertification.
Overgrazing, deforestation, poor irrigation, or removing water sources
Sustainable resource use means humans only take what nature can replace. Give one example.
Reduced mining, responsible logging, or limiting hunting of vulnerable species.