Which fossil fuel produces the most CO2 ?

Grade level: 4 – 5th grades

Skills: Bar graph

Related environmental issues:Energy, Air & Climate change

Area level: Global

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The Untied States generates most of the country’s electricity by burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil. Burning fossil fuels is one of the main causes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the nation. The bar graph shows how many pounds of CO2 is released from burning coal, natural gas, and oil to generate 1 kWh of electricity.

1.Which fossil fuel releases the largest amount of CO2 when burned?

2.Which fuel releases less than 1.5 pounds of CO2?

3.What is a good estimate of the amount of CO2 released from oil?

a.1.2

b.1.7

c.1.9

Source: US Energy Information Administration

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Answer keys

  1. Coal
  2. Natural gas
  3. b