15 ENSURE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, SUSTAINABLE AND MODERN ENERGY FOR ALL
Energy is power: power to do, participate and build. Energy also powers our economy, transportation, health and livelihoods. However, not everyone has access to this kind of power. Harnessing and harvesting energy resources, like wind, solar, water, oil and gas, impacts our environment and the ability for future generations to do the same. This goal seeks to establish sustainable energy systems that reduce our impact on the planet, and address energy inequalities that constrain human and economic development.
Learning Objectives
- Learners will understand different energy resources – both renewable and nonrenewable – and their advantages and disadvantages regarding environmental, health, safety, and sustainability issues.
- Learners will understand what energy is used for in different regions of the world.
- Learners will understand how policies can influence the development of energy production, supply, demand and usage.
- Learners will be able to communicate the need for energy efficiency and sufficiency.
- Learners will be able to apply and evaluate measures in order to increase energy efficiency and sufficiency in their personal spheres of influence.
Essential Questions
Media (Identification of Value/Biases):
What do you need to know to be critical of media stories about energy usage and conservation?
Environment
What are the impacts of energy overconsumption on our environment?
Poverty, Wealth and Power
How is energy usage related to the poverty cycle?
Indigenous Peoples
What are the experiences of Indigenous Peoples in relation to energy development?
Oppression and genocide
What happens to energy supplies during times of conflict?
Health and biotechnology
How are health and technology impacted by energy consumption?
Gender politics
How is energy usage a gendered issue?
Social justice and human rights
Should energy access become a human right?
Peace and conflict
What are some examples of conflict and resolution over energy resources?
Overview of The Goal
How can we provide access to sustainable energy for all?
Every time we turn on the lights, start our car or take an online course, we’re using energy. Most of the energy we use comes from coal, oil or natural gas. While these energy sources are very good at powering homes and cars, they can also have harmful effects on the environment. Not only that, they’re not always affordable or accessible to everyone.
But there is reason for hope. More and more we are harnessing energy from the sun, wind and water—renewable and clean sources of energy. Production and consumption of renewable energy is on the rise, experiencing a much greater increase than coal or oil. As a result, the renewable energy sector is among the fastest-growing in terms of new jobs. Global and national agencies are starting to invest more heavily in expanding the grid to include rural communities, where lack of electricity means a lack of industry, refrigeration or safe methods of cooking and heating.
How can we provide access to sustainable energy for all?
Every time we turn on the lights, start our car or take an online course, we’re using energy. Most of the energy we use comes from coal, oil or natural gas. While these energy sources are very good at powering homes and cars, they can also have harmful effects on the environment. Not only that, they’re not always affordable or accessible to everyone.
But there is reason for hope. More and more we are harnessing energy from the sun, wind and water—renewable and clean sources of energy. Production and consumption of renewable energy is on the rise, experiencing a much greater increase than coal or oil. As a result, the renewable energy sector is among the fastest-growing in terms of new jobs. Global and national agencies are starting to invest more heavily in expanding the grid to include rural communities, where lack of electricity means a lack of industry, refrigeration or safe methods of cooking and heating.
Learning Activities
Websites for Research: WHAT IS LIFE LIKE FOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY?
It is hard for most people to imagine life without electricity. However, people across the world still don’t have access.
Your daily energy use vs Africa’s
Access to electricity | The World Bank
1.3 Billion Are Living In The Dark
How do different countries access energy?
Three Billion People Cook Over Open Fires ― With Deadly Consequences
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Websites for Research: WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY?
Take a look at the technologies that have the potential to replace the sources we currently rely on.
Energy 101: Electricity Generation
NASA Climate Kids | Big Questions
“Pay-As-You-Go” Solar Could Electrify Rural Africa
Climbing Wind Turbines for a Living
These Solar Panels Don’t Need Sun; They Harvest Energy From Rain
Mini Grids: Bringing Low-Cost, Timely Electricity to the Rural Poor
Environmental Protection Agency’s MyEnvironment tool
Global Energy Statistical Yearbook 2017
Websites for Research: WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE PEOPLE USING CLEAN ENERGY?
Some cities and communities are well on their way to being powered by renewable energy
Fourth graders create a solar powered classroom
World’s Happiest Country Also Has No Carbon Emissions
Share of renewables in electricity production
Germany Could Be a Model for How We’ll Get Power in the Future
Norway Just Proved That a Future With 100% Renewable Energy Cars Is Possible
Websites for Research: HOW DO WE BALANCE ACCESS AND SUSTAINABILITY?
As more and more people across the world gain access to consistent energy, will we be able to sustain it?
A small country with big ideas to get rid of fossil fuels
How Bangladesh’s Latest Move for Cleaner Energy Could Actually Hurt Millions
For the World’s 1 Billion People Without Electricity, Climbing Out Of Poverty Can Be Impossible
Does Coal Stand a Chance Against Renewable Energy?
Websites for Research: HOW IS SDG 7 CONNECTED TO THE OTHER GLOBAL GOALS?
This goal intersects with several other SDG goals. In order to achieve other goals, access to affordable and clean energy is key.
How Clean Cookstoves Create Gender Equality
Improving the nutritional status of children via the strengthening of local production systems
Fighting Poverty Can Save Energy, Nicaragua Project Shows
Websites for Research: PORTRAITS OF SUSTAINABILITY
Now that you have an idea of what Goal 7 is all about, take a moment to read about the helpers. These are people who are working to solve energy problems across the world. How can we learn from them?
Dale Ross, Mayor of Georgetown, TX
Games: WALK A MILE: BUILDING EMPATHY THROUGH GAMES
Lesson plans for this goal from The World’s Largest Lesson
Lesson plans on Understanding Renewable Energy from The World’s Largest Lesson
http://cdn.worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/2017/02/Renewable-energy-lessonplan-pdf.pdf
http://webtv.un.org/en/ga/watch/the-philippines-bottleman/3496147886001/?term=&sort=popular
Lesson Plans: ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Videos
Video from The Philippines: Bottleman
Turning on a light at the flick of a switch is something many people take for granted. But for one fifth of the world’s population, it’s simply not an option, relegating them to a life of “energy poverty”. One man in the Philippines is making his dream of spreading light a reality, not only in his country, but to the world’s poorest.
Social Media
Below are links to several dynamic conversations, communities and experts on social media.
Further Research and Activities
Assessment and Reflection
Reflection Journal
- Describe the learning activities (articles, videos, etc.) and your experience – What did you do/hear/see?
- Interpret and evaluate the events from your perspective – What do I think about it now? How does it relate to other things that I know?
- Explain your experience; reveal your new insights, connections with other learning, your hypotheses, and your conclusions.
- Reflect on how this information will be useful to you – What questions do I have? Have I changed how I think about the situation? Where do I go from here?
- What did you particularly value and why?
- Is there anything you would do in the next unit? What have you learned? What will you do with these lessons?
Renewable Assignment Options
Reduce energy use. Adopt energy-saving habits. Remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room. Another top tip is turning off your computer and unplugging electronics when they’re not being used.
Stop the drop. Reduce your water consumption by fixing any drips or leaks in your house. Turn off that tap between brushes. Conserving water helps reduce energy and carbon emissions.
Recycle. Choice is our best tool to ending our energy crisis. If we choose to recycle, buy items with minimal and recyclable packaging, and dispose of electronics in an environmentally responsible manner, we can do our part to minimize our ecological footprint.
Repurpose. It takes energy to produce, transport and house new products. Give your clothing or household goods a second chance at life by donating them to charity or exchanging with friends. Turn your t-shirts into rags, or donate your old toaster to a garage sale or organization in need. We can do our part to reduce waste sent to landfill sites while others benefit from our goods.
Plant for the planet. When finding plants for your garden, choose ones that are well suited for the climate and uses less water. Even better, plant a tree and reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Turn off what you’re not using. Look at how your classroom, school, and community use energy and explore what actions could help reduce energy used. Have one day a week where you use natural light in the classroom rather than electricity. Turn off individual printers and other equipment at night and on the weekends. Enable energy saving modes on electronics used in the classroom such as computers or tablets.
Buy and use energy efficient products such as lightbulbs, appliances or transportation methods.
Explore different ways to live your life more energy efficiently. Different methods include saving energy, conserving water, reducing waste and travelling smarter. Take ideas from the Australian Government’s Energy Saving or Global Action Plan!
Challenge the big companies to take action. Clean and affordable energy is possible, even for large companies. Investigate the companies you interact with the most and see how they are doing their work and how they could be working within a more energy efficient model. Engage with businesses, local and national governments and your fellow community members and take action by demanding energy efficient and renewable energy solutions.
Until more sustainable and clean sources of energy are widely available, we can lower our impact by reducing carbon emissions. Plan and host a walk or bike day at your school.
We can reduce our impact on the environment by cutting down on the amount of electricity we use. Plan an awareness campaign at your school about energy consumption. Put up signs reminding people to turn off lights and electronics when they aren’t in use.
Top 10 Rules for Saving Energy
Energy Saving Tips For Schools
Wind and solar energy are two big alternative, clean sources of energy. In fact, one town in Texas gets almost all of its energy from these two sources. Explore how they work by building your own wind or solar powered machine!
Wind and Solar Energy Activities
This 8-Year-Old Mexican Girl Won a Prize for Making a Solar Heater From Recycled Objects
As the world moves toward cleaner and more affordable energy, there are many more choices for households and communities to join in. Research the cost and benefits of energy efficient choices your community could switch to.
Affordable Energy for Our Future
Over one billion people still do not have access to electricity. Plan a day without lights to raise awareness of this and experience what school would be like without reliable access to electricity.
What’s It Like To Live Without Electricity? Ask An Indian Villager
Find an organization that is working towards getting consistent electricity to those who don’t have it. Ask them about what issues they face in their efforts and what they think others can do to help.
Invite a power plant operator from your community into your classroom to discuss how your town gets its energy. Ask them about improvements they think could be made to ensure sustainability.
