Food, energy, and water are essential for our existence; however, which of these is the most important can be a subject of debate. The interrelationship of food, energy, water, and climate presents us with a multidimensional problem that links resources, national policies, politics, and quality of life. Climate variations impose new issues, as they can impact water availability and quality and thus have a great effect on the nexus. We need to better deploy resources to address our needs now and for the 9 billion people in the next 40 years (1). After air, water is the most essential requirement for human survival. Also, water from a variety of sources is used to produce food and energy. At times, food such as corn is used to produce ethanol, which can be used as fuel in automobiles. A great deal of water is required to produce hydroelectric energy; its ecological impact must be scrupulously considered. Also, the water used for thermal and nuclear energy requires cooling before it can be returned to the water source. The water used for fracking requires significant treatment before it can be used for other purposes. The necessity of water in the production of food and energy clearly indicates that human survival is not possible without water. It should be noted that energy is necessary to produce and distribute water for domestic use and for irrigation of food crops, i.e., there is a nexus among these three important resources. Detailed investigations are required to determine our food, energy, and water needs collectively, rather than individually. Together, water, food, and energy help us maintain and improve our lifestyle. Addressing these complex issues will require collaborative efforts among federal and state agencies, private enterprise, and nongovernment organizations. More investment will be necessary to develop sound science and policies that address the complex issues that affect food security, sustainable energy, along with the availability and quality of water.<br/>

Managing challenges of the climate-food-energy-water nexus

255th National Meeting (2018)

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