You are here:  Home > Energy resources
University of Bristol
Institute of Physics logo
Why not try our other site: BEEP Biology & Ethics
 

Energy Resources

Our world today is now totally dependent upon the supply of easily available, cheap energy. And how we have used it has both built our world and at the same time now threatens its future. Is it time to rethink our view of energy?

Today's world is completely different to that of 200 years ago, largely because of energy use. It was our learning how to harness energy in a new way - using fossil fuels to make steam to power machines  - that started the Industrial Revolution and the birth of the modern world.

Coal powered steam engines gave us powerful, portable energy that could be made to do jobs of work. We were no longer limited to what could be done through human or animal effort, nor was the energy source fixed in one place like water wheels.

And ever since, almost every part of our world has been shaped by the use of portable energy. From transport and industry to healthcare and entertainment, it all depends on energy.
 

Why is 'energy' an ethical issue?

IN THIS SECTION

Planet earth with a power off symbol
ENERGY IN TROUBLE

 
Oil, wind and nuclear power
SOURCES & RESOURCES


Road signs giving priority to cyclists and pedestrians
POSITIVE ACTIONS

Discussion

Teachers' instructions
Powerpoint presentation

Activity courtesy of Alessio Bernardelli