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Engineering solutions for food-energy-water systems: it is more than engineering

Author

Listed:
  • M. L. Wolfe

    (Virginia Tech)

  • K. C. Ting

    (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

  • N. Scott

    (Cornell University)

  • A. Sharpley

    (University of Arkansas)

  • J. W. Jones

    (University of Florida)

  • L. Verma

    (University of Arkansas)

Abstract

Food, energy, and water systems interact extensively, giving rise to the term “food-energy-water (FEW) nexus,” with the term “nexus” signifying connectedness and interrelationships. A systems approach involving multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams and partnerships is needed to address complex challenges of the nexus. A concurrent cyber-physical framework comprised of systems informatics, information analysis methods and tools, and systems analytics and decision support could provide a viable approach for addressing FEW system challenges. A fundamental requirement for implementing the framework is data. Needed data are often difficult to obtain; for example, while much agricultural production system data are collected, the data are not generally available. A priority for addressing FEW system challenges must be development of mechanisms for widespread curation and sharing of data; a few such efforts are underway. Implementing the framework also requires many collaborations. Creating new collaborations among multiple disciplines and organizations to implement the framework could be aided by convergence thinking, which engages approaches to problem solving that transcend disciplines and integrates knowledge from the physical, biological, social, and mathematical sciences and engineering to form comprehensive and integrated thinking at the interfaces of areas. A variety of organizations, private and public, can help in facilitating collaboration and partnerships among the disciplines. Government agencies, industry, academia, and professional societies can all play significant roles in furthering collaboration to address challenges in integrated FEW systems using a systems approach.

Suggested Citation

  • M. L. Wolfe & K. C. Ting & N. Scott & A. Sharpley & J. W. Jones & L. Verma, 2016. "Engineering solutions for food-energy-water systems: it is more than engineering," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 6(1), pages 172-182, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:jenvss:v:6:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1007_s13412-016-0363-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s13412-016-0363-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rosegrant, Mark W. & Koo, Jawoo & Cenacchi, Nicola & Ringler, Claudia & Robertson, Richard D. & Fisher, Myles & Cox, Cindy M. & Garrett, Karen & Perez, Nicostrato D. & Sabbagh, Pascale, 2014. "Food security in a world of natural resource scarcity: The role of agricultural technologies," IFPRI books, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), number 978-0-89629-847-7.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Tong & Tan, Qian & Yu, Xiaoning & Zhang, Shan, 2020. "Synergy assessment and optimization for water-energy-food nexus: Modeling and application," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    2. Lin, Long & Xu, Fuqing & Ge, Xumeng & Li, Yebo, 2018. "Improving the sustainability of organic waste management practices in the food-energy-water nexus: A comparative review of anaerobic digestion and composting," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 151-167.
    3. Zhang, Xiao & Li, Hong-Yi & Deng, Zhiqun Daniel & Ringler, Claudia & Gao, Yang & Hejazi, Mohamad I. & Leung, L. Ruby, 2018. "Impacts of climate change, policy and Water-Energy-Food nexus on hydropower development," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(PA), pages 827-834.
    4. Amir Molajou & Parsa Pouladi & Abbas Afshar, 2021. "Incorporating Social System into Water-Food-Energy Nexus," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 35(13), pages 4561-4580, October.
    5. Cássia Juliana Fernandes Torres & Camilla Hellen Peixoto de Lima & Bárbara Suzart de Almeida Goodwin & Terencio Rebello de Aguiar Junior & Andrea Sousa Fontes & Daniel Veras Ribeiro & Rodrigo Saldanha, 2019. "A Literature Review to Propose a Systematic Procedure to Develop “Nexus Thinking” Considering the Water–Energy–Food Nexus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-32, December.

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