Energy use per person

University of Calgary

This simple data visualization allows students to compare primary energy use and several other variables (carbon dioxide emissions, oil consumption) among different countries, including by OECD and non-OECD status. Students have the ability to toggle a handful of different ways to visualize the data, such as on a map, a bar chart, or a line graph.

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Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

This activity provides good scientific background material and data (with graph) but needs significant instructional support before it can be used in the classroom. Extensive website provided on energy topics with interactive vocabulary, many visualizations, and data manipulations beyond the primary site of this resource at [link https://energyeducation.ca/]. Teachers may want to find other sources - there is a possible extension for evaluating data sources and potential biases.
Increasing energy consumption can be linked to per person energy use and power consumption worldwide. However, this increase is not uniform worldwide, rather energy use per person is rising more rapidly in some countries than in others. More developed or more wealthy countries tend to have higher energy consumption compared to developing countries which do not have the extensive energy infrastructure in place. The interactive graph allows students to geographically select what data to analyze and it also provides options for varying types of energy sources. Data can be displayed in various formats for ease of understanding or comparison between variables. It also includes a small math component. Data comes from reliable sources and is recent. The major vocabulary words are linked throughout the activity to provide additional support for students. Comments from expert scientist: The scientific background provided is good and the data visualization provides substantial information about the total energy use per country.
This is a research platform only, there is not a defined student activity, lesson plan, or teacher support offered. Students could seek individual answers to questions regarding energy source, production, consumption on a regional, global or per-capita basis. Students will need guidance on the main goals of this activity and should be provided guided questions to help understand what the data visualization is showing them (and the importance).