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Water, energy and food:
three interconnected necessities
An integrated view of the three basic interconnected Energy mix and agricultural water efficiency are key Sustainable solutions
necessities Over half of global electricity produced still comes from “Applying multiple use of cooling water instead of
Water, energy and food are three intricately linked basic coal (around 40%) and nuclear (around 10%) sources, both ‘once-through cooling’ could reduce the water footprint
necessities of life. Water clearly is a key input for agricultural of which are highly water intensive. With water supply of thermoelectricity by more than two-thirds.
production and along the entire food supply chain, as well uncertainty, investment in new water sources such as Adding to this, increasing wind and PV solar energy to
as for energy production. Energy is also required to produce desalinization, deeper wells or longer pipelines is required 40% of the grid, the combined effect would be a 82%
and distribute food and water: for example in irrigation, – all of which increase the use of electricity. This vicious reduction of the water footprint and 27% decrease in
groundwater pumping, processing and transport. circle can only turn virtuous by incorporating the energy consumptive water use”.
mix into strategies to improve water efficiency. Innovative
In a world of water scarcity, one in which agriculture and cooling techniques and investment in renewables can make Source: Rivers Network, Burning our Rivers, 2012
energy are the two most water-intensive sectors, a point a substantial contribution.
will be reached where one basic necessity may need
to be chosen over another. On the agricultural side water use efficiency will need to
increase through reducing water losses, increasing yields
Climate change will hit energy-related water use per drop, careful crop selection to match local water
in multiple ways availability and decreasing agricultural water pollution,
• Not enough water: without enough water for thereby increasing supply and decreasing demand.
A worst-case scenario in which freshwater and food security
cooling, power plants must cut back production or is lost would lead to major disruption in global food prices.
even shut down. Furthermore, it eventually could ultimately lead to social
• Incoming water too warm: rising temperatures can unrest and/or involuntary mass migrations.
make water supplies too warm for cooling, forcing
power plants to reduce their electricity production
when it’s needed most.
Source: ucsusa.org
ING Economics Department 6 Too little, too much / December 2015
