The water–food–energy “nexus”
Water, energy and food are inextricably linked. This is the so-called ‘nexus’. There is growing recognition that a movement is needed away from a sector-by-sector approach to policy, science and practice, towards an approach that considers the interactions between water, food and energy, while taking into account the synergies and trade-offs that arise from the management of these three resources.
- Water security is defined in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as "access to safe drinking water and sanitation", both of which have recently become a human right. While not part of most water security definitions yet, availability of and access to water for other human and ecosystem uses is also very important from a nexus perspective.
- Energy security has been defined as "access to clean, reliable and affordable energy services for cooking and heating, lighting, communications and productive uses" (United Nations), and as "uninterrupted physical availability [of energy] at a price which is affordable, while respecting environment concerns".
- Food security is defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as "availability and access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet the dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life". Adequate food has also been defined as a human right.
The food-water-energy nexus
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Extended viewing
National water, energy and food security
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Task: To complete three brief summary sheets that show how the Nexus complex interactions affect:
- national water security, including access to safe water
- national food security, including food availability
- national energy security, including energy pathways and geopolitical issues
Water SEcurity
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Food Security
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Energy Security | ||||||
The implications of climate change for the water-energy-food nexus
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After reading through the following two articles complete the worksheet by giving examples of how climate change can impact the water-energy-food Nexus
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Two countries with contrasting levels of resource security
