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Applying the food–energy–water nexus concept at the local scale

Author

Listed:
  • Henry P. Huntington

    (Huntington Consulting)

  • Jennifer I. Schmidt

    (University of Alaska Anchorage)

  • Philip A. Loring

    (University of Guelph)

  • Erin Whitney

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Srijan Aggarwal

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Amanda G. Byrd

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Subhabrata Dev

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Aaron D. Dotson

    (University of Alaska Anchorage)

  • Daisy Huang

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Barbara Johnson

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Justus Karenzi

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Henry J. F. Penn

    (University of Calgary)

  • AlexAnna Salmon

    (Igiugig Village Council)

  • Daniel J. Sambor

    (Stanford University)

  • William E. Schnabel

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Richard W. Wies

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Michelle Wilber

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

Abstract

The food–energy–water (FEW) nexus describes interactions among domains that yield gains or trade-offs when analysed together rather than independently. In a project about renewable energy in rural Alaska communities, we applied this concept to examine the implications for sustainability and resilience. The FEW nexus provided a useful framework for identifying the cross-domain benefits of renewable energy, including gains in FEW security. However, other factors such as transportation and governance also play a major role in determining FEW security outcomes in rural Alaska. Here, we show the implications of our findings for theory and practice. The precise configurations of and relationships among FEW nexus components vary by place and time, and the range of factors involved further complicates the ability to develop a functional, systematic FEW model. Instead, we suggest how the FEW nexus may be applied conceptually to identify and understand cross-domain interactions that contribute to long-term sustainability and resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Henry P. Huntington & Jennifer I. Schmidt & Philip A. Loring & Erin Whitney & Srijan Aggarwal & Amanda G. Byrd & Subhabrata Dev & Aaron D. Dotson & Daisy Huang & Barbara Johnson & Justus Karenzi & Hen, 2021. "Applying the food–energy–water nexus concept at the local scale," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(8), pages 672-679, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:4:y:2021:i:8:d:10.1038_s41893-021-00719-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-021-00719-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Zeng, Yujie & Liu, Dedi & Guo, Shenglian & Xiong, Lihua & Liu, Pan & Chen, Jie & Yin, Jiabo & Wu, Zhenhui & Zhou, Wan, 2023. "Assessing the effects of water resources allocation on the uncertainty propagation in the water–energy–food–society (WEFS) nexus," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).

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