Watch Juice: How Electricity Explains the World

Juice: How electricity explains the world is a 2019 documentary film that delves into the importance of electricity in our daily lives. Directed by Tyson Culver, the film features Robert Bryce, Maya Amar, and Joseph Al Assad, who take viewers on a fascinating journey through the evolution and impact of electricity. The film starts by exploring how electricity has transformed our lives since the advent of the electrical grid over a century ago. We see how it has powered everything from light bulbs and televisions to computers and the internet. We get a glimpse into the formidable challenges that were overcome in the early days of electricity, including the battle between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla over current types.

Juice also examines how electricity has become essential to the functioning of modern societies. We learn how it powers medical equipment in hospitals, runs factories and offices, and enables transportation systems. We are shown how electricity is vital for feeding the world's population, irrigating crops, and providing clean drinking water. In sum, electricity has become so ubiquitous that life without it is unimaginable.

The documentary also explores the environmental and human costs of electricity generation. We are shown how fossil fuels like coal and gas have a significant impact on our environment and contribute to global warming. The film highlights the adverse effects that fuel extraction and power plant emissions have on our air and water quality. It introduces viewers to innovative new ideas that aim to tackle the challenges of energy production sustainably. These include renewable energy sources like wind and solar, as well as emerging technologies like virtual power plants.

As the film takes us around the world, we are introduced to people who depend on electricity for their livelihoods but do not have reliable access to it. In developing countries, many people struggle with the lack of electrical infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. We see how technological innovations are helping to address this gap. One such idea is to bring electricity to remote locations using microgrids, which are essentially small power networks that can operate independently of the primary grid system.

Throughout the film, Robert Bryce, the author of "Power Hungry: The Myths of 'Green' Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future," shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities of energy policy. He argues that while renewables like wind and solar are desirable, it is not enough to replace conventional energy sources like natural gas and petroleum. Therefore, we need to be pragmatic in achieving a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Maya Amar, a filmmaker and producer, provides an up-close perspective of the human impact of energy systems. She talks with people whose lives have been transformed by access to electricity, as well as those who still lack it. She also explores the relationship between energy access and human development, particularly with respect to gender equality and education.

Joseph Al Assad, who has a background in finance and economics, provides an analytical perspective on energy markets. In the film, he explains how energy prices impact industrial economies and how geopolitical factors affect oil prices. He also discusses the rise of renewable energy investments and how financial mechanisms like carbon credits are being used to mitigate climate change.

Overall, Juice: How electricity explains the world is a fascinating and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on the essential role that electricity plays in our modern society. With its insightful commentary and stunning cinematography, it is an educational and entertaining exploration of the past, present, and future of energy.

Juice: How Electricity Explains the World is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.