Our world connects people, landscapes and ecosystems
Meat-rich diets will require far more land than the traditional diets they will replace.
By 2030 it is predicted that we will require 50% more food
In the 1990's, we were worried by water scarcity.
There are important linkages between water, food, energy and climate change
Climate change is key in terms of its effects on food, energy and water
2017 sees 2 billion people worldwide in the Middle Class
In the 1970's, we were worried by oil
Food is key in terms of demand, assets and supply.
Much of the population growth and the middle-class growth will occur in countries that are already water-scarce.
By 2030 it is predicted that we will require 30% more freshwater
In the 2000's we were worried by soil degradation.
Energy is key in terms of demand, assets and supply.
3 billion more middle-class people will demand more meat
2030 will see a Middle Class numbering 5 billion
In the 1980's, we were worried by deforestation & the hold in the Ozone layer.
Water is key in terms of demand, assets and supply.
More than 70% of the world's freshwater use is in agriculture.
By 2030, total world population is predicted to be 8.5 billion people.
Biofuels production impacts on food supply
Food production impacts on water availability through over irrigation & groundwater extraction
Energy production impacts on water quality e.g. pollution of groundwater supplies.
Food processing requires energy
Water infrastructure & use impacts on food supplies
Food distribution requires energy, often referred to as 'Food Miles'
Energy production impacts on water availability
Water infrastructure & use impacts on fish stocks
Pastoral and arable food production needs clean water
Clean water supply requires energy for treatment, pumping & distribution as well as for biofuel growth.
Food production requires energy in terms of machinery & fertilizer
Climate change means that rainfall & water availability are likely to become more uncertain.
Food production impacts on water quality through agro-chemical runoff & salinization
These decade 'worry trends' were always single issues, now the move is towards nexus thinking.
Nexus can be approached from the perspective of sustainability & interrelationship between the environment, society & economy.
Water infrastructure impacts on land use
Fossil fuel extraction impacts on food supply and food prices.
Energy production needs water e.g. nuclear cooling
Nexus is a response to the global crisis that hit energy and food demands in 2007 and 2008.
