Introduction
The global development is followed by the increase in the population rates and demands for natural and economic resources. Nowadays, the water scarcity becomes substantial demand for water resources by the agricultural sector, low level of social stability, etc. more tangible in many regions –about one-third of the global population lives without the direct access to the water resources (Rijsberman 9). And according to the recent estimations, it is expected that water scarcity may become one of the vital problems interfering with the further stable global development by 2020 (Rijsberman 8). And the challenges will become especially difficult in the developing countries characterized by the intensive population increase, high level of industrialization, environmental pollution,
Virtual Water
As the water scarcity continues to grow, the global community commences paying greater attention to the scope and intensity of water consumption included in production and trade. As a result, the concept of virtual water emerged, and it was effectively incorporated into the theory of sustainable development.
In the context of the economic activity products (raw materials, goods, or services), virtual water may be defined as the total volume of consumed water estimated in the location of production (Velázquez, Madrid, and Beltrán 745). Overall, virtual water is the sum of water amounts used at different stages of the production process. In this case, the word “virtual” identifies that the larger portion of the water used for production is not actually contained in the product itself. The content of the “real” water in the product is usually insignificant in comparison to the amount of used virtual water.
The virtual water concept assists in the identification of the overall volumes of water consumed during production of goods or services. This knowledge is especially useful in the arid and semi-arid regions because it allows finding the efficient methods for the scarce water resources implementation. The concept also helped to lo review the issues of effective water consumption and water policy (Velázquez, Madrid, and Beltrán 747). Virtual water cannot be considered hydro-centric, and it rather is connected with ecosystem approach because the water distribution and the related policies are primarily regarded primarily out of the traditional water sector frames that are usually associated with the hydro-engineering practice and the catchment theories.
Sustainable Development
As the UK environmentalist, Andy Wales, said in his lecture for TED, to meet the increasing demands for food and water in the future, the main sources of energy cannot be regarded separately from each other (“The Water-Food-Energy Nexus”). The connection between basic energy sources is known as the water-food-energy nexus, and according to the principle of this conception, any decision regarding the use of one of the basic elements must be made with the equal consideration of other two elements (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 6).
Nowadays, agriculture is one of the main producers of food for the population, and it consumes about 70% of global water resources (“Water Consumption Statistics” par. 1). Water is also highly demanded by the energy sector. It is used there for refrigeration of electric power stations and running hydroelectric plants. Water is necessary for the household as well. The water supply requires the transportation and filtration of water, and consequently, large amounts of energy are consumed. It demonstrates that water, energy, and food production are inevitably interrelated.
Nevertheless, in the present-day situation, the energy and water sectors, as well as agriculture, act independently and lack the connection. For example, biofuels could assist in the resolving of the energy deficit but, on the contrary, its production usually consumes more water and impacts the food supply in a negative way. In 2008, the excess resources consumption for the biodiesel energy was one of the reasons that led to the increase in the prices of crops, and it provoked civil disturbance (“The Global Food Crises” 62).
The enterprises, consumers, governments, and farmers may develop much more conscious behaviors in the consumption and production of energy, food, and water. A long river passing through the territories of several different communities, countries, enterprises, and hydroelectric stations may provide a good example of conscious water consumption – in this case, the population survival as well as the business operation depends on this water resource. The decisions of any party interested in the consumption of water may impact the actions of others. Thus, only the collaboration allows them to use resources equally and effectively. The trade-offs and compromises are unavoidable, but they may be regarded as the connection links in the process of the sustainable development.
Water for Energy
One of the best examples of water-food interrelation’s effect on energy production is biofuel. The first generation of biofuel was biodiesel, the production of which previously led to the price increase. However, the elaboration of innovative approaches towards the waste recycling may positively impact the agricultural sector development, and the carbon pollution reduction (“The Water-Food-Energy Nexus”).
Despite the fact that dams may be considered the reason for depletion of water and fish resources for the communities located in the downstream areas, they are still regarded as the essential source of energy characterized by a low level of carbon pollution. Moreover, dams are often applied as the instruments for agricultural irrigation.
Water for Food
Water and food interrelation is the crucial aspect of the nexus. Since nearly 70% of global water resources are used by agriculture, the development of the alternative ways of water consumption in food production is important (“Water Consumption Statistics” par. 1).
Nowadays, many enterprises attempt to produce more goods with less waste. The decrease in resource consumption may also result in the decrease of waste emissions. Moreover, it is important to take into account the fact that over 30% of food products deteriorates before reaching the market due to the poor storage and transportation conditions, etc. As a result, the water price increases. The conscious consumption of resources at the organizational level may help to increase the efficiency of food production and, at the same time, avoid the water crisis.
Energy for Water
The energy used for compression, transportation, and filtration of water usually constitutes over 10% of the overall energy consumption (“Water Consumption Statistics” par. 1). With the development of urban areas, the water pollution rates increase. As a result, people consume more energy for water cleansing.
The local governmental initiatives proved to be most effective methods of the situation improvement. The common methods of water purification include the systems working on the solar energy, rainwater harvesting, etc. Moreover, wastewater may become the resource for the production of alternative types of fuel, such as biogas, which may be effectively applied in the local urban infrastructure for running transportation or district heating (Galan-del-Castillo and Velazquez 1351).
Conclusion
The Water-Food-Energy Nexus focuses on the transition from the developmental conception in which the environment and nature are merely the resources for the economic growth towards the conception of the ecosystem development. The ecosystem approach provides the vision of economy as a part of the extensive natural wealth, and it thus should comply with the rules and limits of nature. Therefore, according to the principles of the Nexus, the economic growth and the development of agriculture, water, and energy sectors should be environmentally appropriate.
Works Cited
Galan-del-Castillo, Elena, and Esther Velazquez. “From Water to Energy: The Virtual Water Content and Water Footprint of Biofuel Consumption in Spain.” Energy Policy 38 (2010): 1345–1352. Print.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2014. “The Water-Energy-Food Nexus: A New Approach in Support of Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture.” Web.
Rijsberman, Frank. “Water Scarcity: Fact or Fiction?” Agricultural Water Management 80 (2006): 5-22. Print.
The Global Food Crises. n.d. Web.
“The Water-Food-Energy Nexus – Why Everything you Consume is Connected”. TED Talks. Youtube, 2011. Video file. Web.
Velázquez, Esther, Cristina Madrid, and MarĂa Beltrán. “Rethinking the Concepts of Virtual Water and Water Footprint in Relation to the Production-Consumption Binomial and the Water-Energy Nexus.” Water Resources Management 25.2 (2011): 743-61. ProQuest. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.
Water Consumption Statistics. 2016. Web.