Energy crisis & Conflicts
Introduction
Start with the following question: What is the energy crisis? See the following graphic about the evolution of key regional
natural gas prices from June 2021 to Oct 2022. Ask the students what the graph suggest to them.
Start with a brief presentation about the current global energy crisis, its causes, including economic factors and
geopolitical events like the situation in Ukraine, and its effects on different countries. Discuss how the crisis impacts
inflation, poverty, economic growth, and the environment.
“In 2021, energy markets got tight due to a quick economic recovery after the pandemic and worsened with Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leading to the highest gas and electricity prices in years. This caused a lot of inflation, pushing
families into poverty, and slowing down economies, with some facing recession. Europe, which relied heavily on Russian
gas, and many developing countries are particularly affected.
This crisis is different from the 1970s oil issues as it involves all fossil fuels and impacts a more connected global
economy. High energy costs have forced factories in Europe and China to cut back or shut down and increased poverty in
poorer countries. While some blamed climate policies for high prices, more clean energy could have actually helped keep
prices lower. 1”
Objectives
- To help students understand the global energy crisis and its
consequences
Learning outcomes
By the end of this learning scenario, students will be able to:
- Understand the complexities and interconnectedness of global
energy politics. - Recognize the impact of energy decisions on economic stability,
environmental sustainability, and social equity. - Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a real-world
context.