Envisioning a Sustainable Future: The International Day of Clean Energy

The United Nations General Assembly declared January 26 as International Day of Clean Energy to commemorate the founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2009. In a world that faces the daily impacts of climate change, there is an urgent need to transition towards a sustainable energy system. This day is a moment when nations, communities, and individuals unite and commit to working for a sustainable future. 

The Importance of Clean Energies

Adopting clean energy would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by up to 70 gigatonnes by 2050. This is essential to limit global warming and reduce the impact of climate change.

What is Clean Energy?

First of all, we need to distinguish between Clean Energy and Renewable Energy. Renewable energies base their production and origin on a natural source, such as water, wind, among others. The source of these energies is inexhaustible. Clean energy is generated and consumed using methods that do not generate carbon dioxide or any other type of polluting substance for the environment. For this reason, clean energy helps us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce our environmental impact, promoting long-term sustainability.

Types of Clean Energy

1. Solar Energy: Solar energy uses solar radiation to produce electricity using photovoltaic panels. In addition, solar thermal energy uses the heat of the sun to produce steam and generate electricity.

2. Wind Energy: Wind energy uses wind energy to produce electricity using wind turbines. These devices convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity.

3. Hydropower: Hydropower uses the kinetic energy of moving water to produce electricity, controlling the flow of water for continuous energy production.

4. Geothermal Energy: Geothermal energy depends on the Earth's internal heat. It uses thermal energy stored underground to produce electricity or provide heat.

5. Biomass Energy: Biomass uses organic materials such as agricultural or forestry residues to produce energy through controlled combustion or conversion to biogas.

6. Wave Energy: Wave energy harnesses the movement of ocean waves to generate electricity. Although still in its development stages, wave energy has great potential to complement other clean energy sources.

7. Energy from Ocean Currents: Using technologies such as underwater turbines, the energy generated by ocean currents can be used to produce electricity.

In conclusion, the path to sustainability requires the work and cooperation of all sectors of society. Governments need to develop policies that incentivize clean energy, businesses need to prioritize sustainability, and individuals can contribute by making conscious choices in their daily lives. The International Clean Energy Day is not just a celebration; it is also a call to action, a reminder that our actions today shape the world of tomorrow. This day gives us the opportunity to reflect on the importance of the energy transition, symbolizing hope, unity, and commitment to taking concrete steps towards a more sustainable future.

The transition to clean energy is an investment in the well-being of future generations. It's an opportunity to reshape our economies and societies. The Day of Clean Energy serves as a call to action, encouraging governments, businesses, and individuals to invest in and support the growing green economy.

“Engineers Without Borders was the obvious choice…”

Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE) expresses its deep gratitude to Mr. Staffan Truvé, co-winner of the prestigious 2023 Polhemspriset award, who generously donates his part of the prize sum consisting of 125,000 SEK to our organization.

Staffan Truvé, the co-founder and CTO of Recorded Future, was recognized for his groundbreaking work in real-time cyberattack detection and analysis.

Staffan Truvé

Polhemspriset, one of Sweden's most esteemed technology awards, has a rich history of honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the country's technological advancement. It is administered by Sveriges Ingenjörer and recognizes those who have propelled Sweden's technical development forward.

“I was honoured to receive the Polhem Prize, and wanted to use the prize to support a good cause that also show the impact engineering can have on helping humanity, and with those conditions Engineers Without Borders was the obvious choice,” says Staffan Truvé.

Staffan Truvé's exceptional donation will greatly support EWB-SWE in its mission to address global challenges through humanitarian engineering and sustainable solutions. We applaud Mr. Truvé's commitment to making the world a better place through his generosity and groundbreaking work.

Watch the film with this year's Polhem Prize winners Christopher Ahlberg and Staffan Truvé where they talk about their innovation and their journey with the company Recorded Future - the world's largest privately held intelligence service, with 17,000 customers from around the world.

Exceptional Academic Achievement at Mavuno Modal Girl’s Secondary School

We are delighted to announce a remarkable achievement at Mavuno Modal Girl’s Secondary School, the project in focus of our current winter campaign. In the recent national exams for Form 2 students, the school secured an outstanding 53rd place out of 5060 secondary schools in Tanzania.

This achievement is especially significant considering that many of the girls studying at the school come from village schools with limited resources, and some are orphans or hail from economically disadvantaged families.

The school has a long-standing history of delivering exceptional academic results, showcasing the transformative power of education in rural and underprivileged regions. This achievement highlights the importance of supporting schools like Mavuno Modal Girl’s Secondary School and promoting extended education opportunities for girls. It underscores the positive impact of our donor community, whose contributions are making a significant difference in the lives of these students and their communities.

We are immensely proud of Mavuno Modal Girl’s Secondary School  academic excellence, and we remain committed to continuing our support for their educational endeavors. Our ongoing project focuses on the construction of a new high school building to expand and enhance the school’s facilities. Together, we are building a brighter future for these girls and their community. 

Stay tuned for more updates on our winter campaign and the impact your donations are making.

Read more about our school project here

Brainpod at Engineering Day: Perspectives of the Engineer’s role in the climate transition→

Listen to our pod session at Engineering Day/Ingenjörsdagen on November 23, exploring perspectives of the engineer’s role in the climate transition. Hosted by Caroline Edelstam, Secretary General of EWB-SWE, with prominent guests from the European Commission, Norden International, KTH, STING, and Womengineer.

Guests in this pod session were:

Erik von Pistohlkors, Deputy Head of Representation at the European Commission in Sweden.

Mats Hellström, Chairman of Norden International and Sweden’s former Minister of Foreign Trade, European and Nordic Affairs, and Sweden’s former Minister of Agriculture.

Terrence Brown, Professor in Technology-based Entrepreneurship at KTH.

Karin Ruiz, ClimateTech Lead at Sting.

Marie Ideström, founder and CEO of Womengineer.

We would like to extend a warm thank you to our guests for their participation, and to Max Persson and Linus Persson at Ingenjörsdagen for this great opportunity and for creating such a great event for partners and visitors alike.

Celebrating the Power of Collective Action: International Volunteer Day

In a world filled with challenges—inequality, global warming, injustice—we all carry our baggage. But where some feel a burden, others discover their strength and find inspiration to take action.PHOTO:UNV

This year, as the world commemorates International Volunteer Day (IVD) on December 5, the focus is on the transformative power of collective action — a theme that resonates deeply with Engineers Without Borders Sweden (EWB-SWE). With the underlying message of 'if everyone did,' this day highlights the limitless possibilities of volunteerism in driving positive sustainable development, fostering inclusive societies, and addressing global challenges.

At EWB-SWE, we proudly stand as a testament to the power of volunteerism. Our organization is driven by the commitment of volunteers - from professional engineers to other specialists, and dedicated students in major university cities. These individuals form the backbone of our operations, embodying the spirit of volunteerism in every project and initiative.

862.4 million volunteers worldwide

According to the 2022 report by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), there are approximately 862.4 million volunteers worldwide, with most volunteering informally among individuals. While 14.3% of the global population engages in this informal volunteering, 6.5% participate in formal volunteering through organizations. Interestingly, while formal volunteers predominantly consist of men, women are more likely to be informal volunteers.

Volunteers play a crucial role

Volunteerism stands as a renewable resource for addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. Volunteers are often the first responders in crises, demonstrating immense resilience and dedication in testing situations. Their role is crucial in building inclusive, peaceful societies, and in achieving goals like universal education, environmental sustainability, and public health.

Driving positive change

This International Volunteer Day, EWB-SWE joins the global community in recognizing and celebrating the invaluable contributions of volunteers. Our own volunteers, through their expertise and commitment, play a pivotal role in our efforts to create sustainable solutions and drive positive change. Their collective actions reflect the theme of this year's IVD: the extraordinary impact that can be achieved when everyone contributes.

#IfEveryoneDid

We would like to join in acknowledging volunteers worldwide by using the hashtags #IfEveryoneDid and #IVD2023. This day, mandated by the UN General Assembly, is not just an occasion to celebrate volunteer efforts but also to share values, promote work in communities, and collaborate with NGOs, UN agencies, government authorities, and the private sector.

In line with the UNV's advocacy for volunteer recognition and its integration into development programming, we at EWB-SWE continue to mobilize volunteers, harnessing their potential to contribute to sustainable development. This International Volunteer Day, let us all acknowledge and celebrate the power of collective action and the remarkable difference each volunteer can make in creating a better world for all.

Caroline Edelstam, Secretary-General, Engineers Without Borders Sweden