Hydrogen: Is Sustainable Air Travel Possible?
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Engineering
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 ClimateScience
What it is
- 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 tips
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.
From the scientist review
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.
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