Renewable energies are those that can be renewed or regenerated naturally. They can be used without time limit while fossil energies come from sources that will be depleted.
1 in 5 people around the world still lack access to modern electricity. Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for around 60% of global greenhouse-gas emissions. 3 billion people rely on wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and heating.
Why Education is crucial to achieving SDG-7
Energy education promotes energy efficiency teaching us to develop technologies that waste less energy, and encouraging us to work together to research and develop renewable and other clean energy resources. (Access to Learning objectives for SDG-7)
Early Childhood Care and Education
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At this level, the concepts of electricity, light, heat/cooling and the sun are taught. Learners develop an initial understanding of what energy is and where it comes from, and about the importance of energy conservation and safety. (Access Educational materials here)
Primary Education
- At this stage, learners get acquainted with different forms of energy production (e.g. fossil fuels, wind energy, solar energy) and their associated technologies, and the reasons why different forms of energy production are best used in different geographies and contexts. They learn to monitor their own energy consumption, including in the classroom setting, thereby equipping themselves with the right tools to adapt their daily living habits and behaviours towards models of sustainable living. (Access Educational materials here)
Secondary Education
- At this level, learners are introduced to concepts such as an ecological footprint and ecological accounting, fundamental tools in order to develop their ability to assess the appropriateness of their energy choices in different contexts. As a result, they are well-positioned to reduce the overall amount of electricity, packaging and petrol used in their daily lives and immediate environments. (Access Educational materials here)
Pedagogical Resources
- Power To Be - This campaign with associated resources explores the power of renewable energy and its potential to transform communities and lift people out of poverty.
Ideas for Classroom Activities
- Play Safe & Warning Signs - Draw four safe places you can play with Lochie the linesman.
- Power To Be - Petition asking the World Bank to support renewable energy, which tackles poverty.
Multimedia Educational Resources
- Come Celebrate SDG 7 Renewable Energy With Sammy Sun & Eco Boys And Girls - Poster
- Aire Limpio - Illustration showcasing the need for affordable, clean energy in order to benefit from clean air.
Get Inspired
- Leuchtpol - A new experience of energy and the environment: a project for promoting ESD at pre-primary level- Leuchtpol gemeinnützige Gesellschaft zur Förderung von Umweltbildung im Elementarbereich mbH - Page 27 - The project focuses on five-day further training events for educators at pre-primary level, who will subsequently implement ESD projects on “Energy and the Environment” at their facilities. Children between the ages of 3 and 6 will learn to engage with energy and the environment in a playful manner. Leuchtpol has developed both a pedagogical concept for ESD on “Energy and the Environment” at the pre-primary level and regional emphases for further training. Many new materials have been developed, including a materials kit. In the first year alone over 1,000 facilities were reached. Participants are very satisfied: 98 per cent are predominantly or fully satisfied, and over 90 per cent agree that they can implement further training well. They are motivated to integrate ESD (more) closely in their pedagogical work.
Pedagogical Resources
- Renewable Energy: How can we keep the lights on? - This resource series focuses on the topic of renewable energy and is filled with activity ideas to help students discuss and explore the subject in more depth.
- Affordable, Clean Energy For All - This resource will support you in developing students’ core skills through the study of solar electricity and explore SDG 7 to ensure affordable, reliable, sustainable energy for all by 2030.
- School Plan For Energy – An Example - Ideas to minimise the negative impacts of energy use, specifically as this relates to climate change around the school community.
Ideas for Classroom Activities
- An Energy Project For The Global Goals - This resource aims to: Analyse and reduce energy and paper use in your school, and maybe compare to others around the world that you are connected to; Present and interpret data in tables and charts and in report writing.
- Energy And The Global Goals For Sustainable Development - This resource aims to: Understand that energy is vital for everyone's quality of life; Know the Global Goals were set by UN countries to alleviate world poverty; Understand the link between energy and poverty reduction.
- Do's And Dont's With Electricity - A free curriculum linked website for upper primary school, where Lochie the Liney will lead you through fun lessons and activities teaching you how to be a Shockproof Liney like him.
Multimedia Educational Resources
- Renewable Energy Explained In 2,5 Minutes - This animation explains the different types of energy such as, fossil fuels, biomass, nuclear and renewables.
- Renewable Energy – How Do We Keep The Lights On? - Video focusing on the topic of renewable energy and filled with activity ideas to help students discuss and explore the subject in more depth.
- The Energy Challenge - This short animation sets out the challenges and opportunities we face in cutting greenhouse gas emissions while meeting demand and supporting economic growth.
Get Inspired
- Namibia: Sustainable living in the desert- Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust - At the primary level, the centre takes children on nature walks in the dunes and teaches them about the advantages of solar cooking for environmental protection, the use of bucket showers and the “recycle, re‐use and reduce” principle. Children also learn about biodiversity and how to measure their environmental footprint.
Pedagogical Resources
- Affordable And Clean Energy: Why It Matters - Technical Note presenting SDG 7, why should we care about this goal, how many people live without electricity, what would it cost to switch to more sustainable energy?
- Electricity And Education - The Benefits, Barriers, And Recommendations For Achieving Electrification Of Primary And Secondary Schools - This report assesses the direct link between electricity and education using the most recently available survey data from the World Bank and UNESCO, the report describes the current state of electrification of schools.
- Energy From The Wind - Hands-on, critical thinking and language arts activities that help intermediate students to develop a comprehensive understanding of wind formation, wind energy, and electricity generation from wind.
Ideas for Classroom Activities
- The Impact Of Pollution On Our Planet And Our Lives - This resource aims to: Know some of the different forms of environmental pollution; Explore ways to reduce environmental pollution; Develop use of descriptive and comparison words and build research skills.
- Understanding Renewable Energy - This resource aims to: Understand the framework of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development; Understand what renewable energy is and how it compares to non-renewable energy; Explore the advantages of renewable energy.
- Affordable And Clean Energy - This teacher and pupil resource encourages classroom activities around affordable and clean energy.
Multimedia Educational Resources
- Powering The Future We Want - Video on scientific and technological innovations and fostering leadership initiatives and innovative actions that improve energy for sustainable transport, while addressing economic, social and environmental sustainability.
- India: The Power Of Pine Needles -Millions of people around the world, with no access to electricity, are destined to a life of poverty. But one couple in India has found an innovative solution right under their feet.
- The Philippines: Bottleman - Turning on a light is something many take for granted. But one fifth of the world's population cannot. One man in the Philippines is helping spreading light in his country and to the world's poorest.
Get Inspired
- New York City Department of Education 2012-2013 Annuall Sustainability Report - The Sustainability Initiative seeks to transform the DOE into a more sustainable and efficient public entity regarding facility operation and maintenance and student environmental education. This report highlights the developments and progress made during the 2012-2013 (Fiscal Year ’13 or FY13) school year as the DOE Sustainability Initiative underwent its third year of existence.
