The Untapped Energy Source That Could Power the Planet
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by: TED|Published on: April 27, 2021
VideosScientist Reviewed
6789101112
Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
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
Teaching Materials
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.
This 15-minute TED talk explores the potential for geothermal energy at the global scale. The current state of geothermal technology and innovation is presented, and the potential for future growth is explored. Additionally, the potential for shifting the knowledge base of the gas and oil industry toward geothermal development is presented. This is a compelling resource that is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
