Hydrogen: Is Sustainable Air Travel Possible?
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Videos
Subjects: Engineering
Authors: ClimateScience
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 →
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 →
Synopsis
- This video explains how airplanes produce a large portion of global greenhouse gas emissions and what can be done to make them more sustainable.
- Students will learn why airplanes cannot be powered by batteries and how hydrogen fuel might be a sustainable alternative in the distant future.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The video is short and engaging.
- The video clearly explains why planes cannot be powered by electricity.
- The video description provides links to several sources for further reading.
Additional Prerequisites
- The video assumes that students know the fundamental cause of global warming and climate change.
- Students can watch this video from ClimateScience that explains what is causing climate change.
- To eliminate emissions from the aviation industry, there is no other scalable alternative other than to stop flying.
Differentiation
- Science or engineering students could research Airbus's plans to produce zero-emissions planes and present their findings to the class.
- Students could brainstorm alternatives to air travel, which are friendlier to the atmosphere.
- For excellent infographics and information on the true cost of flying, students can read this text from Stay Grounded.
- Students could read about folks who have given up flying, like Gideon Forman and Peter Kalmus.
The resource introduces the potential of using a hydrogen-powered aircraft to reduce carbon footprint in the aviation industry. This technology is still undergoing testing. The resource is suitable and recommended to inspire students to innovate.
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 →
