SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 7 aims to 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. Many Northern communities in Canada depend on electricity generated by diesel brought up from the South. This can create a problem of pollution from emissions and transportation. 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.
You might also be able to align your teaching to this SDG if you want your students to be able to:
- Distinguish between different energy resources – both renewable and non-renewable – and their advantages and disadvantages regarding environmental, health, safety, and sustainability issues.
- Consider energy needs and uses in different regions of the world.
- Develop policies which can influence the development of energy production, supply, demand and usage.
- Communicate the need for energy efficiency and sufficiency.
- Evaluate energy efficiency and sufficiency.
You might consider having your students reflect, share, act in some of these ways:
- Explore the First Nations Power Authority, a non-profit Indigenous owned organization developing clean energy projects that bring economic and environmental benefits to First Nations communities. https://fnpa.ca/
- Discuss the Bridging the Gap report, a project to build understanding between coal workers (and coal-producing communities) and urban environmentalists. https://climatejusticesaskatoon.ca/future-of-coal/future-of-coal-bridging-the-gap/
- Get involved with the Renewable Energy in Northern, Remote and Indigenous Communities Flagship Program driving research in that field. https://renewableenergy.usask.ca/
Some curricular connections and questions for students might be:
Media – 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?
Peace and conflict – What are some examples of conflict and resolution over energy resources?
Oppression and genocide – What happens to energy supplies during times of conflict?
Gender politics – How is energy usage a gendered issue?
Social justice and human rights – Should energy access become a human right?
Health and biotechnology – How are health and technology impacted by energy consumption?
