Chapter Eight: Afforable and Clean Energy

Welcome back to Economics! Previously, we shared our thoughts on whether college was worth our time and money while using the principles we learned in class. But, as of right now, we just finished a book that goes by the name of Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist by Kate Raworth. It mostly explained the history of economics and how it has changed over time. At first, we read the first three chapters by ourselves, but about a week later, we did an activity where we divided into four different groups, each read a chapter, and presented our take-aways with the class. But once our Action Project was announced, we were asked to write an additional eighth chapter to Raworth’s book while following our guiding question, “how do we view the economic world?”

Noun Project, Work From Home Outline, Nikita Kozin (2020)

The additional chapter to Raworth’s book would be about affordable and clean energy. In Raworth's book, she explained that “EARTH, which is life giving—so respect its boundaries Far from floating against a white background, the economy exists within the biosphere—that delicate living zone of Earth’s land, waters, and atmosphere. And it continually draws in energy and matter from Earth’s materials and living systems, while expelling waste heat and matter back out into it. Everything that is produced—from clay bricks to Lego blocks, websites to construction sites, liver pâté to patio furniture, single cream to double glazing—depends upon this throughflow of energy and matter, from biomass and fossil fuels to metal ores and minerals.” In other words, affordable and clean energy is something that should be sustainable but reliable, not for the rich or the poor, it is well-deserved for everyone. According to UNEP, "three billion people rely on wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and heating." So, when we use those types of fuels such as charcoal, for cooking, it increases indoor air pollution, which is responsible for killing four million people every year.

Reflecting on my research, I came to the conclusion that renewable energy sources are powerful and that it is very important for the future generations of the world. And if we continue to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and thermal power, then by 2030, there will be universal access to reliable energy services. 

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Works cited:

“Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy,” United Nations Development Programme, 2020. https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-7-affordable-and-clean-energy.html

“Icons And Photos For Everything,” Noun Project, 2020. https://thenounproject.com/search/?q=energy+saving&i=929080

“Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist,” Kate Raworth, 2017. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YbD2-9_jhNHhRInxmcHJFdTXWZhPSYaa/view