An Integrated Approach for Efficient Resource Using: WaterEnergy-Food Nexus

Year 2021, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 66 - 82, 31.10.2021

Dinow Sharif Mohamed Fatma Handan Giray

Abstract

Today, the world is facing so many problems arising from the way the resources are used and managed. The demand for resources is constantly increasing especially for water, energy and food. Worldwide water demand will rise by 55% by 2050 as a result of the growing global population and economic growth. By then, half of the world's population will be living in water-stressed areas. Global power generation is expected to rise by about 60% during the next ten years, and 90% of global power genera- tion is water intensive. Furthermore, to fulfill the food demand of a rising global population, global food production would need to increase by 60% by 2050. Water, energy and food are indispensable resources for humanity that can contribute to the reduction of poverty and achieving sustainable development. Water, energy and food are inextricably interconnected and actions in one sector influence the others. These highly interdependent resources need to be evaluated together. The linkages between water, food, and energy are numerous, complex and dynamic. Food production requires water and energy; water extraction, treatment, and redistribution require energy; and energy production requires water. The main objectives of this study are to explain the water-energy-food nexus, the linkage and interac- tion between these three resources. Since the last decade, the concept of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus has attracted the attention of many researchers, and this concept has become a debated topic for policymakers and academics. Since it is an interesting field in terms of agricultural eco- nomics, this study aims to understand the foundations, development and working areas of this approach, which is known as WEF Nexus in the in- ternational scientific literature and is very difficult to understand both the- oretically and its application.

Keywords

Water, energy, food, nexus, water-energy-food nexus, WEF approach

Kaynak Kullanım Verimliliği Yönelik Entegre Bir Yaklaşım: Su-Enerji-Gıda Bağlantısı (Nexus)

Abstract

Dünya, üretim faktörlerinin kullanım ve yönetim biçiminden kaynaklanan pek çok sorunla karşı karşıyadır. Başta su ve enerji olmak üzere doğal kaynaklara ve gıdaya olan talep sürekli artmaktadır. Artan küresel nüfus ve ekonomik büyümenin bir sonucu olarak dünya çapında su talebi 2050 yılına kadar %55 oranında artacak; o zamana kadar, dünya nüfusunun yarısı su sıkıntısı çeken bölgelerde yaşıyor olacaktır. Önümüzdeki on yıl içinde yaklaşık %60 oranında artması beklenen küresel elektrik üretiminin %90'ı suya dayalıdır. Ayrıca, artan küresel nüfusun gıda talebini karşılamak için küresel gıda üretiminin de 2050 yılına kadar %60 oranında artması gerekecektir. Su, enerji ve gıda, yoksulluğun azaltılmasına ve sürdürülebilir kalkınmanın sağlanmasına katkıda bulunabilecek kaynaklardır ve insanlık için vazgeçilmezdir. Ayrılmaz bir şekilde birbirine bağlı olan bu üç bileşen birbirlerine son derece bağımlı oldukları ve birbirlerini etkiledikleri için birlikte değerlendirilmesi gerekir. Su, gıda ve enerji arasındaki bağlantılar hem çok sayıda hem de karmaşık ve dinamiktir. Şöyle ki; gıda üretimi, su ve enerji gerektirir; su çıkarma, arıtma ve yeniden dağıtım enerji gerektirir ve enerji üretimi de yine su gerektirir. Bu çalışmanın temel amacı, su-enerji-gıda ilişkilerini, bu üç kaynak arasındaki bağlantı ve etkileşimleri açıklamaktır. Tarım ekonomisi bilimi açısından da ilgi çekici bir alan olması nedeniyle, bu çalışmada uluslararası bilimsel literatürde W(ater) E(nergy) F(ood) Nexus olarak adlandırılan Su, Enerji ve Gıda Bağlantısı ile hem teorisi hem uygulaması çok zor olan bu yaklaşımın temellerinin, gelişiminin ve çalışma alanları tartışılmaktadır.

Keywords

Su, enerji ve gıda, su-enerji -gıda bağlantısı, WEF yaklaşım

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