Abstract: The population of the African continent is significantly increasing which has given rise to societal, economic and environmental changes. This will generate an increase in demand for food, water and energy. Thus, strategies for sustainable management of natural resources need to be adopted urgently in order to match the future needs and to ensure […]
Category Archives: Documents
Climate and Southern Africa’s Water–Energy–Food Nexus
Abstract In southern Africa, the connections between climate and the water–energy–food nexus are strong. Physical and socioeconomic exposure to climate is high in many areas and in crucial economic sectors. Spatial interdependence is also high, driven, for example, by the regional extent of many climate anomalies and river basins and aquifers that span national boundaries. […]
The Water–energy–food Security Nexus: Challenges and Opportunities for Food Security in South Africa
Abstract The interconnectedness of water, energy and food production cycles translates into the interdependence of water, energy and food pricing. This paper interrogates the level of interconnectedness between these systems in South Africa and discusses how energy and water costs influence food prices in the country and affect the country’s level of food security. The […]
Introduction to Climate, land-use, energy and water systems (CLEWs)
Climate, land-use, energy and water systems (CLEWs) models are tools for simultaneous consideration of food, energy and water security. They are designed to assess how production and use of these resources may contribute to climate change, and how climate change may affect resource systems. By comparing different technologies and value chains, such models can identify […]
Country profile: WEF Nexus and Foreign-based Universal Basic Income (FABI) in Namibia
Namibia is full of contradictions, which is what makes it a fascinating country. It is one of the most neglected and least studied countries (compared to many others in Africa) partly because of its relatively low population of just over two million in a vast country (larger than Texas and over twice the size of […]
Quantifying the Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Current Status and Trends
Abstract: Water, energy, and food are lifelines for modern societies. The continuously rising world population, growing desires for higher living standards, and inextricable links among the three sectors make the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus a vibrant research pursuit. For the integrated delivery of WEF systems, quantifying WEF connections helps understand synergies and trade-offs across the water, […]
Recover the food-energy-water Nexus from COVID-19 under Sustainable Development Goals acceleration actions
Abstract The interwoven relationship between food, energy, and water (FEW) is described as the FEW nexus. The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted the FEW nexus and impeded the progress of FEW-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (SDG 2: Zero Hunger; 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; 7: Affordable and Clean Energy). We aim to find solutions to recover the FEW […]
Basin perspectives on the Water–Energy–Food Security Nexus
Abstract: This article summarizes some major factors that influence the Water–Energy–Food (W–E–F) Security Nexus and how they are perceived in different basins. These findings are based on a survey that was undertaken for the Global Catchment Initiative (GCI) within the Global Water System Project (GWSP) complemented by case studies for a transboundary basin (the Lake […]
Nexus Gains: Realizing Multiple Benefits Across Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystems
Challenge Water, energy, food, forests, and biodiversity systems are strongly interconnected and are critical to rural livelihoods and food and nutrition security. These systems are under extreme stress from climate change and other human-induced pressures. This stress is particularly pronounced in South Asia’s breadbasket basins, where groundwater abstraction, climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and poor […]
The nexus approach to water–energy–food security: an option for adaptation to climate change
Abstract: Developing countries face a difficult challenge in meeting the growing demands for food, water, and energy, which is further compounded by climate change. Effective adaptation to change requires the efficient use of land, water, energy, and other vital resources, and coordinated efforts to minimize trade-offs and maximize synergies. However, as in many developing countries, […]