Learn about environmental chemistry through engaging, bitesize animated videos. The videos are organised into chapters including: the earth, the air, water, rocks, metals and their reactivity, global warming, carbon chemistry, fuels and recycling.
Access to sustainable modern energy services is fundamental for economic growth and human development. It is one of the Sustainable Development Goals laid out in 2015 by the United Nations (SDG 7). Access considers two dimensions:
Electricity: Access advances education, health, productivity, security, comfort, and entertainment. It also facilitates higher-value economic opportunities.
Clean cooking fuels: Access improves the lives of women and children by dramatically reducing health impacts related to indoor air pollution, decreasing the exposure to risks associated with collecting traditional biomass, and increasing available time that can be devoted to other economic activities.
Energy access and consumption are highly related to the Human Development Index (HDI) that takes into account life expectancy, education, and health to measure a country’s well-being. A country’s fuel mix is also related to its level of development: less developed countries use a higher share of traditional biomass, while more developed countries use more electricity.
Nevertheless, a significant portion of the world population still does not have access to reliable electricity or clean cooking fuels, creating a challenge for equity in development opportunities.