How we generate and consume energy, and at what cost. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), nuclear power, and the major renewables — solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass — plus the energy conservation strategies that reduce demand.
Six ways to master Unit 6 — pick whichever fits how you like to study.
Thirteen topics from the College Board CED, in order.
Unit 6 surveys every major way humans generate energy — from the fossil fuels that still dominate global supply, to nuclear power, to the full range of renewables. For each source, you need to know how it works, its environmental tradeoffs, and how it fits into the bigger sustainability picture.
This unit is roughly 10–15% of the AP Environmental Science exam and takes about 16–17 class periods — one of the most topic-dense units alongside Unit 5, with 13 distinct content areas covering both fuel sources and conservation strategies.
The College Board ties Unit 6 to a single Big Idea: