Energy and Natural Resources Mid Unit Assessment - The positives and negatives of Fossil Fuels

Should the UK abandon its use of fossil fuels?

For this levelled assessment you need to write a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron EITHER;

a)Explaining why we should stop the use of fossil fuels for either nuclear fuels or renewable fuels OR

b)Explaining why Britain should continue to use fossil fuels to produce our electricity

Within your letter you should;

  1. Include an introduction describing what fossil fuels are and what alternative sources of energy exist. Tell the Prime minister why he needs to consider the energy issue. You should consider including definitions and examples here, plus consider the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
  1. Evaluate both the positives and negatives of fossil fuels. Each point that you make should follow the PEEmethod – a clear Point, backed with Explanation (reasons why) which is supported by factual Evidence. Consider using SEE as well, the Social, Economic and Environmental impacts of fossil fuel use to gain top levels.
  1. Then provide an EVIDENCE based opinion for the conclusion to your letter, answering the title question.

To gain really great marks, you will need to research extra information to that given to you in class, and keep a record of those information sources (book titles, web site addresses etc.), and include some factual information.Include as many arguments as possible and include a range of persuasive writing styles and phrases.

Some of the Pros and cons of using fossil fuels;

Fossil fuels also give out sulphur dioxide into the air, which after reacting with the moisture in air, produces sulphuric acid and leads to acid rain. Acid rain causes severe damage to the living as well as nonliving matter on the earth. / Oil is often transported from one place to another by the means of sea route. During this oil spills occur on the ocean surface and that causes severe harm to the marine life.
Fossil fuels have a high calorific value. In other words, combustion of fossil fuels generates a large amount of usable energy and are considered as high efficiency fuels. / On burning of fossil fuels, large amount of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. This can cause global warming
Prices for fossil fuels are going up as they run out. / Fossil fuels are stable in nature
The search for newer location for oil reserves is a highly expensive process with a very low success rate. As a result, large amounts of money get wasted in the process. / Fossil fuels are non renewable source of energy and are being used up very fast.
Coal is cheap and highly reliable source of energy. / Fossil fuels are more easily available as compared to any other fuels.
Due to mining of the coalfields, landscapes spread over large areas are being destroyed and cannot be used for any other purpose. / Fossil fuels generate millions of jobs world wide
Coal is easy to transport from one place to another, and oil and gas can be moved by pipelines / Some of the by products obtained during processing of the fossil fuels are highly toxic too.

How you will be assessed

Aspect / Levels 3 & 4 / Level 5 / Level 6 / Level 7 / Level 7 +
Background to the Fossil Fuels Issue / You give basic Descriptionsof what renewable and non renewable resources, and fossil fuels are
You begin to describe what the issue is / You give good descriptions of what renewable and non renewable resources, and fossil fuels are
You outline some reasons for the need to consider the energy issue / You give clear descriptions of what renewable and non renewable resources, and fossil fuels are
You give several reasons for the need to consider the energy issue / You give excellent descriptions of what renewable and non renewable resources, and fossil fuels are
You outline and interlink many reasons for the need to consider the energy issue. Consideration of scale (national, continental and world) is in your letter. / You give excellent descriptions of what renewable and non renewable resources, and fossil fuels are
You outline and interlink many reasons for the need to consider the energy issue. The energy issue is considered at several scales (national, continental and world)
Construction of response – how well Written is the work? Does it PEE and SEE? (see instructions above) / Writing is largely statements from the table above
Points are not well supported by evidence or explanation
Few SEE points made
There is little attempt to link information together, / Reasonable description and explanation of the pros and cons of fossil fuel use and renewable fuels.
You will use a piece of your own research evidence.
Clear SEE points made mainly supported by evidence and explanation.
Few links are made / Well-structured and accurate description and explanation of the pros and cons of fossil fuel use and renewable fuels.
You will use a piece of your own research evidence.
A good range of SEE points made supported by evidence and explanation.
One or 2 ideas are linked together / Well detailed, Well-structured and accurate description and explanation of the pros and cons of fossil fuel use and renewable fuels.
You will use some of your own research evidence.
A good range of SEE points made supported by evidence and explanation.
Ideas are often interlinked. / Highly detailed, Well structured and accurate description and explanation of the pros and cons of fossil fuel use and renewable fuels.
You will go well beyond the data provided using your own research evidence.
A wide range of SEE points made supported by evidence and explanation.
Ideas are thoroughly interlinked.
Conclusions / There is little in the way of conclusion, either barely existing at the bottom of these levels or offering weak opinions at the top. The elements of the task are not all included. / A conclusion has been written, giving reasons for opinions on which type of energy production is best. The conclusion is likely to be one sided or unbalanced.
Conclusions are largely based upon opinion and little evidence. Sustainability of the society, economy or environment are briefly considered in answer to the title question. / A good conclusion has been written, justifying opinions on which type of energy production is best. Both side of the argument have been discussed and unpopular choices dismissed.
Conclusions are based upon some evidence. Sustainability of the society, economy and environment are considered in answer to the title question, but not in a balanced and equal way / A good conclusion has been written, justifying opinions on which type of energy production is best. Both side of the argument have been discussed and unpopular choices dismissed.
Conclusions are based upon evidence. Sustainability of the society, economy and environment are considered in answer to the title question. / A thorough conclusion has been written, fully justifying opinions on which type of energy production is best. Both side of the argument have been discussed and unpopular choices dismissed.
Conclusions are clearly based upon evidence. Sustainability of the society, economy and environment are key features of the answer to the title question.

More help is available in the Year 8 area of