What It Means to Be Global Citizens

Only a few days remain for the participants to complete their final proposals for their assigned countries in the Power for a Better Future Buddies Without Borders Online Forum. Soon, we will discover which ones show the best critical thinking skills and attitude for collaboration. Here are some highlights from each team in the past week. Please join us in wishing each team good luck!

Team The Fossil Slayers Representing Brazil ~

Team The Fossil Slayers: Vivianna Shekhar (Strawberry Fields High School, India), Yasmin Rezagholizadeh (Towheed International School, UAE), Roopa Prasanna Kumar (Goetheschule Essen, Germany), Mina Erdinc (Vali Muammer Güler Social Science High School, Turkiye)

"Brazil's heavy reliance on hydroelectric power makes it vulnerable to droughts, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Expanding solar and wind power could create new economic opportunities while reducing this reliance. According to the International Energy Agency, Brazil has strong potential for both solar and wind energy, and this potential is underutilized compared to its capacity...." - Mina Erdinc

Team The Fossil Fools Representing Singapore ~

Team The Fossil Fools: Veronika Strečková (American International School in Cyprus), Karthik Anumolu (The Gaudium School, India), Anna Werntges (Goetheschule, Germany), Ami Mizuno (Shonan Shirayuri Gakuen Junior & Senior High School, Japan)

"Singapore is known for its technological advantages, as well for its transformation from a developing country to a high-income global connected city. Statistics from the Singapore electricity market state that around 40% of Singapore’s energy goes into electricity, of wich in turn over 90% are produced by fossil fuels. An article by the Strait Times that illustrates Singapore’s future in clean energy states that one of the main issues about this is about is the dependancy on foreign gas imports..." - Anna Werntges

Team Jollof Representing Nigeria ~

Team Jollof: Arjun Ravikant Mishra (Innovation Academy, USA), Paula Pardo Sánchez (Los Sauces Pontevedra, Spain), Felipe Chafic Anselmo Mucare (Escola Americana do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Ethan James Abraham (Dougherty Valley High School, USA)

"How can Nigeria meet its growing electricity demand without worsening pollution and economic inequality? Nigeria should expand clean energy adoption by focusing on financial incentives, local job creation, and public awareness programs...." - Arjun Mishra

Team A-4-APPLE Representing the USA ~

Team A-4-APPLE: Aisha Minjal Rupen Pathak St Luke's Catholic College, Australia), Natalia Righele Gonzales Taboada (Carmel College, New Zealand), Jenny Cheng (Taipei Private Tsai Hsing High School, Taiwan), Tingyu Zhou (American International School of Cyprus, Cyprus)

"We know that USA’s shifting politics damages their international reputation and its own citizens trust in the government (Reporter.anu). This makes it especially helpful if they were to show that they could stick to something and carry it out no matter the political party, like Trump vs Biden, Trump vs Obama, etc. This is a current feasible motivation because no country wants to have a damaged international reputation." - Natalia Gonzales

Team Watt Squad Representing the UK ~

Team Watt Squad: Adriana Rajó Ojea (Colegio los Sauces Pontevedra, Spain), Krishiv Siripurapu (Lovejoy High School, USA), Rose Linnet Armah (Tema International School, Ghana), Bruno Munhoz da Fontoura Tavares (Our Lady of Mercy School - O.L.M.Brazil)

"Running one of the costliest power setups among rich nations, the UK might trap families in steep charges long term if it holds tight to hitting clean energy by 2030, says the Tony Blair Institute. Instead of racing toward zero emissions in ten years, they suggest aiming at lower-priced electricity first, reaching net zero later - calling it Cheaper Power 2030, Net Zero 2050. Those on the political left challenge this view sharply; building more wind and solar cuts rates over time, they say, while the true flaw lies in how prices link green power to gas markets - a setup favoring brokers more than residents..."- Krish Siripurapu

Team Power Change Representing Australia ~

Team Power Change: Abena Oforiwaa Okoampah (Tema International School, Ghana), Defne Su Kurt (Vali Muammer Güler Sosyal Bilimler Lisesi, Türkiye), Nina de Barros Barreto Pedalino Costa (The British School of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Gabby Louise Wieczorek (The Walker School, /USA)

"Australia's motivations for the expansion of renewable energy are divided into three pillars: economic, social, and environmental. Many of Australia’s coal plants are nearing the end of their operational life and are increasingly unreliable. This causes price spikes which makes electricity more expensive. Australia wants to build a modern and more reliable energy system to ensure affordable electricity into the future. Also, the country wants to ensure a secure electricity supply for its citizens by using its abundant natural resources. Its sunshine, wind and vast land can be used to generate abundant energy. With these advantages  Australia wants to support its communities now and in the future." - Nina Costa

Team Citizens of Nature Representing China ~

Team Citizens of Nature: Mahsa Raeissi Goudoei (Towheed International School, UAE), Carolina Queiroz Damo (Windermere High School, USA), Roxana Victoria Sacasari Ortega (Catalinas, Ecuador), Vedant Nukalapati (Prosper High School, USA)

"The Chinese government has increasingly acknowledged that a transition to clean, renewable energy is a "strategic economic growth policy" to increase employment and local tax revenues. This is further fueled by China's "dual carbon strategy" that ensures renewable energy will account for 80% of China's total energy mix by 2060, cementing China's place in sustainability." - Vedant Nukalapati

Team Green Family Representing India ~

Team Green Family: Alessandro Siano (Lycée Jules Fil, France), Martina Castro Moreno (Los Sauces Pontevedra, Spain), Sanad Treish (Amman National School, Jordan), Yuzuki Nagira (Shonan-Shirayuri Gakuen High School, Japan)

"India's current aim (is) to leverage the transition into renewables as a core driver of national prosperity....India relies heavily on coal and other fossil fuels in hard-to-abate sectors, especially steel. With over 90% of its coal use dependent on imports in the industry (IEEFA) the replacement of these unstable energy sources remains a core stimulant for the development of renewables." - Yuzuki Nagira

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