Overview

Overview

Throughout the semester, we focused on energy in terms of fuel sources and electricity generation. We learned about the importance of energy accessibility, reliability, security, and sustainability. In a previous lesson, we focused on the relationship between energy and climate. In this lesson we will focus on the role of energy in regard to water and food. Why these two? While having electricity is necessary for advancement of societies and growing economies, having food and water is essential to life itself. Understanding the relationship between energy and water, and energy and food, is an important aspect of understanding the true impact of energy. But we will also realize that there are times when energy comes in competition with water and food. How then do you determine which gets priority? We will see that the answer is not always clear cut.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:   

• Relate the key aspects of the energy-water nexus and energy-food nexus
• Compare and contrast how the four attributes of energy (accessibility, reliability, security, and sustainability) relate to priorities around water and food
• Describe some of the efforts and innovations to address the nexuses

Lesson Roadmap

Questions?

If you have questions, please feel free to post them to the Questions about EGEE 401 Discussion forum in Canvas. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses if you, too, are able to help a classmate.