International Economics: IB Economics

This World Bank clip looks at the extent to which air pollution is a major problem in South Asia, noting that many of the problems are caused by issues outside of the cities they effect. 

It notes that there needs to be an upskilling of those involved in monitoring and tackling the issue and better co-ordination of policies, presenting a number of policy scenarios that the region might look to choose in tackling the issues and saving lives with the lowest opportunity cost. 

As well as improving healthcare outcomes, the Health and Energy Platform of Action (HEPA) is looking to improve access to clean cooking, and reduce domestic air pollution. An additional benefit, would be reducing the opportunity cost of collecting fuel. 

Both of which would enhance development in a number of ways - improving air quality, enhancing gender equality and allowing children greater access to education as well as better healthcare outcomes too. 

A clip that shows how important roads are to development. This has microeconomic benefits in reducing air pollution, and macroeconomic benefits in boosting growth, and providing easier access to education and healthcare. And, of course, the building of better road will also generate positive externalities. 

How many people are still reliant on traditional methods of cooking? 

3 billion. Yes. Half of the world's population. And one of the simplest ways of improving cooking efficiency and reducing indoor air pollution and increasing fuel efficiency is to provide better stoves.

This clip highlights a World Bank scheme that has been successful in doing this in Bangladesh.

This sort of article is economic gold dust: it could be microeconomic, looking at the effect of removing fuel subsidies and efficiency, or macroeconomic, looking at how microeconomic policy has macroeconomic implications, notably for economic growth, the efficient functioning of labour markets and unemployment, or even developmental economics, because of the impact of the policy of living standards.

An excellent beginning of term starter for Year 13 perhaps, getting them to revise issues that you've looked at last year? 

I love developmental stories that highlight how technology can enhance developmental outcomes. In this case, Rwandan start-up Ampersand is encouraging motorbike tax drivers to switch to electric motorbikes.

At the moment, only 60 out of an estimated 25,000 taxi drivers have done so, but the driver featured thinks that because he's able to rely on Ampersand's batteries and switching stations, he's effectively doubling his income. Remember, ordinary motorbike taxi drivers spend as much on petrol in a year as it would cost to buy a new motorbike. 

This WHO clip looks at the impact of air pollution on the health of the world's children. It is estimated that 1.8 billion children breathe polluted air, equivalent to 9 out of 10 of the world's children with 600,000 of them dying as the result of polluted air each year. 

This is remarkable stuff. Sobering.