Why Are We Still Digging Up Fossil Fuels?
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Provided by: The University of Melbourne|Published on: March 25, 2025
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Synopsis
- In this video from The University of Melbourne, students will learn why the Australian government has been drilling and extracting fossil fuels and minerals throughout Australia, particularly on Indigenous lands.
- Students will understand topics like subsidies, climate change, and government policies.
- While the information is for Australia, the message is relevant for students worldwide.
Subjects: Science, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: The University of Melbourne
Region: Oceania
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This video covers topics that are difficult to understand in kid-friendly ways.
- The video has a hopeful tone, and students may be inspired to make changes.
Prerequisites
- Students should understand that fossil fuels are used for energy and cause climate change.
- Teachers may need to define the word subsidy.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Inspired by the call to action at the end of the video, students can start a letter-writing campaign to stop subsidies for fossil fuel companies. This is applicable to students in Australia, the United States, and other countries where the government subsidizes fossil fuel companies. Teachers can use the resource Write a Letter to Your Energy Minister for younger students or Write Your Member Of Congress for older students in the United States.
- The video describes a future where young people like the students have demanded change and been successful. Teachers can use this message to begin an exploration of worldwide youth climate movements. The video How These Youth Climate Activists Are Changing the Future can help with this exploration.
- After hearing about the government fracking in Indigenous Peoples' lands, teachers can help students understand that there are also hazards associated with fracking. The resource How Does Fracking Work? explains the health impacts and other controversies surrounding fracking.
This resource highlights the effects of fossil fuel prospecting for energy use and the way governments have deprived traditional landowners of lands rich in fossil fuel deposits. Their environment is degraded, they are disproportionately affected by climate change, and their rights have been violated. Students can use the resource to study the relationship between fossil fuels governance and climate change, then write a position statement to urge governments and polluters to halt the exploitation of fossil fuels as it is harmful to the planet. This resource has passed our science review and 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 →
