This short NPR podcast and longer article breaks down the negative aspects of using natural gas, and focuses on the emissions that gas stoves release into homes.
The article is preceded by a short podcast that summarizes the article, and includes a written transcript of the podcast that can be accessed by clicking the paragraph symbol on the audio file.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This short podcast is interesting and engaging, and clearly states the argument against the use of natural gas use in the home.
The article goes into more depth than the podcast and allows for many class questions and debates.
The article has many resources linked throughout, and takes statements from all sides.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should know the definitions of words such as epidemiology, combustion, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and nitrogen dioxide.
Differentiation
This article could be used in an English class as an example of an argumentative essay.
A potential activity could be a debate where the teacher divides the class into two groups, where one group argues for gas stoves and the other group argues against gas stoves.
Science classes could use this to show the effect of natural gas on climate change.
The resource underscores the importance of switching from natural gas to a more efficient energy source to reduce our carbon footprint. It also discusses regulating energy production and consumption to avert air pollution. This resource is recommended.
Standards
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 4: Taking Informed Action
D4.7.6-8 Assess their individual and collective capacities to take action to address local, regional, and global problems, taking into account a range of possible levers of power, strategies, and potential outcomes.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Informational Text (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.7 Compare and contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of the text, analyzing each medium's portrayal of the subject (e.g., how the delivery of a speech affects the impact of the words).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
