Global Fossil Fuel Consumption
Data, Graphs, and Maps
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Science, Geography, Mathematics
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 Our World in Data
What it is
- This resource includes an interactive graph and table that shows global primary energy consumption, measured in terawatt-hours, by fossil fuel type, beginning in the year 1800.
- Students can hover over the graph to get more information or use the sliding scale at the bottom to zoom into various time periods.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The site explains how the data was collected.
- Students can toggle on and off the relative amount that each type of fuel contributed to the total amount of emissions under the Settings menu.
Prerequisites
- Learners should be aware of where most electricity comes from and/or how it is produced.
- The linked graph is only for the world as a whole, but there are links for data by country, per capita, and many others to choose from.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Consider using this graph in math classes to support ratios and proportions lessons or lessons about graphing data in a stacked graph vs. individual graphs for each dependent variable.
- This resource can be used to create awareness about one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Compare this graph to a graph of global greenhouse gas concentrations over time and then have students write a paragraph describing how the two graphs are related.
From the scientist review
Fossil fuel consumption is shown to be increasing from 1985 to the present globally. This resource is recommended for students to explore the rate of consumption of energy from nonrenewable energy sources.
Ready to use it?
Hosted on ourworldindata.org
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
