Public Preferences for Food–Energy–Water Tradeoffs in the Western U.S

The food–energy–water (FEW) nexus is, by definition, a “wicked problem” in that potential solutions in one sector may inadvertently create perverse effects in another. For example, rapid population growth in conjunction with increasing urbanization will add additional stress to current pressures on the world’s FEW resources. Water scarcity will increase challenges in providing plentiful foods, as well as clean, potable water. Water is also critical to energy production—and conversely—energy is needed to deliver clean, safe water. Extant and projected demand for FEW creates an intertwined problem of supply and demand and new policy considerations for managing the nexus. This study examines the FEW policy tradeoff preferences of the public in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington states, using survey data collected in 2018. More specifically, this study examines the impact of demographic control variables, FEW knowledge, and environmental values and beliefs on hypothetical tradeoffs between FEW policy preferences. Findings suggest that those respondents that believe in human-caused climate change and with higher new ecological paradigm (NEP) scores were more supportive of water quality issues versus hydroelectric energy production, rural solar energy development versus limiting rural solar development for food production, and water quality over food production for a growing population.