Have you ever wondered what exactly is the “Food-energy-water nexus”? On this week’s Energy Bite, Kelly Klima, a research scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.

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The Water-Energy Nexus: Challenges and Opportunities by the Department of Energy

Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus by Wikipedia

Nexus Food Water and Energy by GRACE Communications Foundation

Transcript

HOST: Have you ever wondered what exactly is the “Food-energy-water nexus”? On this week’s Energy Bite, Kelly Klima, a research scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.

KELLY: You may have heard folks use the term “food-energy-water nexus.” This means that food, energy, and water are inextricably linked and that actions in one area often have impacts in one or both of the others. These connections have always been present, and growth of the global and U.S. population has placed an ever-increasing stress on these resources. We heard before from Dr. Jared Cohon on the link between water and energy; today…let’s explore the other links. For instance, agriculture is currently the largest user of water at the global level and the food production accounts for a large part of energy consumption.

HOST: Can you provide an example of these linked resources, and how they affect me?

KELLY: Think about how a slice of pizza gets to your plate. The ingredients probably all came from a farm, which uses water to feed the crops and livestock, and energy to harvest the ingredients. Then…the ingredients had to be transported to the pizza shop, which might require energy input. Finally…the pizza was assembled and cooked in an oven, which requires energy to operate. So, without water and energy, your food – the pizza – would never have made it to your plate.

HOST: Will knowing about the food-energy-water nexus influence your behavior? (Yes, No, Maybe)? Take our poll, see the results, and ask your energy questions at Energy Bite dot org.