Why is fracking controversial?
I can describe what fracking is and explain the risks and benefits of fracking.
Why is fracking controversial?
I can describe what fracking is and explain the risks and benefits of fracking.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Supporters argue fracking creates jobs, lowers energy prices and reduces reliance on imports in uncertain times.
- Some countries have banned fracking due to risks like pollution, earthquakes, wildlife disruption and climate impact.
- Alternatives to fracking include: renewable, nuclear, geothermal, biomass energy and improving energy efficiency.
- The UK Government shifted its stance on fracking, halting it in 2019 due to environmental risks and earthquakes.
Keywords
Fracking - a method of drilling into the Earth to extract oil and natural gas by injecting high-pressure fluids to crack rocks and release the resources trapped inside
Renewable energy - energy that comes from natural sources like the Sun, wind and water, which are constantly replenished and won't run out
Common misconception
Fracking shale gas is more environmentally friendly than other gas and fossil fuels.
Whilst shale gas releases less CO2 than other gases and fossil fuels, it is still not a renewable energy and has several other negative environment impacts, such as wasting huge amounts of water.
To help you plan your year 8 citizenship lesson on: Why is fracking controversial?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 citizenship lesson on: Why is fracking controversial?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the What can we do about global problems? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
using resources/making choices that do not harm the environment
gradual increase in Earth's average temperature caused by human action
when harmful substances are released into the environment
Exit quiz
6 Questions
drilling to extract oil and gas by injecting fluids to crack rocks
energy that comes from natural sources like the Sun, wind and water
the long-term changes in Earth's weather patterns and temperatures