title: The Energy-Water-Food Nexus.
abstract: As the global population grows in size and increasingly lives in cities, and with lifestyles based on greater material consumption, more attention is being given to the integrated system that supplies our energy, water, and food, the Nexus. There is also mounting concern about effects on the Nexus of climate change and damage to the natural environment that provides essential ecosystem services. Nexus analysis applies existing techniques, such as computational modelling and Life Cycle Assessment, but new frameworks and tools are needed, including those that will integrate societal and technical dimensions. Case studies show the vital role played by stakeholder involvement in clarifying issues, priorities, and values. They also demonstrate the importance of an integrated systems view of the complex interrelationships of the Nexus when planning effective remedies. Assessments conclude that transformative social and political change is needed to create new structures, markets, and governance to deal with the Nexus if we are to meet agreed-upon sustainable development goals.
authors.affiliation: Booz Allen Hamilton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15146; email: keairns_dale@bah.com.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Keairns
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, United Kingdom; email: richard.darton@eng.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Darton
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ingenierías Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain; email: angel.irabien@unican.es.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Irabien
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011788:Quality of Life; D014881:Water Supply
keywords: case study; modelling; resources; stakeholder; supply chain; sustainable development