Part 1: Petro Island

Welcome to the imaginary Island of Petro! Petro is famous for its beautiful landscapes, sparkling blue water, and large supply of crude oil.

Millions of years ago, the oceans surrounding Petro were full of plant and animal life! When these organisms died, their remains settled to the bottom of the ocean.  As sand and silt piled on top of the remains, these fossilized remains were under enormous heat and pressure.  Over millions of years, their remains turned into oil.

Petro residents and tourists use oil to power almost everything—their cars, boats, heat, and electricity. But local scientists warn that their use of oil may be unsustainable within a few generations. That means that when the children on the island become adults and have their own kids, there may not be any oil left for them to use!