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Title: A Uniform Practice for Conceptualizing and Communicating Food‐Energy‐Water Nexus Studies

Abstract

There is increasing interest in nexus research: energy-water, energy-water-land, and more recently food-energy-water. Motivating this movement is the recognition that the dynamics and feedbacks that constitute these nexuses have been overlooked in the past but are critical to the planning and management of these interacting elements. Formal reviews have identified gaps in current studies. In this commentary, we highlight additional oversights that are hindering integration of findings in nexus studies, notably usage of imprecise terminology to describe analyses, a failure to close the loop by linking production with corresponding waste streams, and exclusion of dynamics linking diverse constituent elements. Equally lacking from current nexus studies is a consistent protocol for communicating the conceptual basis of our studies. To fill this gap, we draw on diverse perspectives and fields to propose a comprehensive and systematic framework that can guide the model conceptualization phase of nexus studies. We also introduce a standardized documentation practice (similar to one utilized by the agent-based modeling community) to facilitate communication of nexus studies. These initiatives can improve our ability to account for and communicate the nuanced, food-energy-water nexus interactions in a consistent manner, which is necessary to better inform risk analysis and avoid decisions with unintendedmore » consequences and hidden costs to society.« less

Authors:
ORCiD logo [1];  [1]
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  1. Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque NM USA
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Electricity (OE)
OSTI Identifier:
1511873
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1511875; OSTI ID: 1515202
Report Number(s):
SAND-2019-5057J
Journal ID: ISSN 2328-4277
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Published Article
Journal Name:
Earth's Future
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: Earth's Future Journal Volume: 7 Journal Issue: 5; Journal ID: ISSN 2328-4277
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Citation Formats

Gunda, T., and Tidwell, V. C. A Uniform Practice for Conceptualizing and Communicating Food‐Energy‐Water Nexus Studies. United States: N. p., 2019. Web. doi:10.1029/2019EF001150.
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Gunda, T., & Tidwell, V. C. A Uniform Practice for Conceptualizing and Communicating Food‐Energy‐Water Nexus Studies. United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019EF001150
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Gunda, T., and Tidwell, V. C. Fri . "A Uniform Practice for Conceptualizing and Communicating Food‐Energy‐Water Nexus Studies". United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019EF001150.
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@article{osti_1511873,
title = {A Uniform Practice for Conceptualizing and Communicating Food‐Energy‐Water Nexus Studies},
author = {Gunda, T. and Tidwell, V. C.},
abstractNote = {There is increasing interest in nexus research: energy-water, energy-water-land, and more recently food-energy-water. Motivating this movement is the recognition that the dynamics and feedbacks that constitute these nexuses have been overlooked in the past but are critical to the planning and management of these interacting elements. Formal reviews have identified gaps in current studies. In this commentary, we highlight additional oversights that are hindering integration of findings in nexus studies, notably usage of imprecise terminology to describe analyses, a failure to close the loop by linking production with corresponding waste streams, and exclusion of dynamics linking diverse constituent elements. Equally lacking from current nexus studies is a consistent protocol for communicating the conceptual basis of our studies. To fill this gap, we draw on diverse perspectives and fields to propose a comprehensive and systematic framework that can guide the model conceptualization phase of nexus studies. We also introduce a standardized documentation practice (similar to one utilized by the agent-based modeling community) to facilitate communication of nexus studies. These initiatives can improve our ability to account for and communicate the nuanced, food-energy-water nexus interactions in a consistent manner, which is necessary to better inform risk analysis and avoid decisions with unintended consequences and hidden costs to society.},
doi = {10.1029/2019EF001150},
journal = {Earth's Future},
number = 5,
volume = 7,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri May 10 00:00:00 EDT 2019},
month = {Fri May 10 00:00:00 EDT 2019}
}
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Journal Article:
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Publisher's Version of Record
https://doi.org/10.1029/2019EF001150
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Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 5 works
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Figures / Tables:

Figure 1 Figure 1: Resource-Product-Waste (RPW) Cycle. Flows connecting natural resources (naturally occurring material with a recognized value to humans; e g , fresh groundwater and fossil fuels), products (material that has been processed in some way and is directly used by humans; e.g., drinking water and electricity), and waste streams (concentratedmore » byproducts; e.g., coal ash and food waste) as mediated by a variety of dynamics, including technology, markets, social preferences, governance. Whereas products are typically tangible items, natural resources and waste streams can also encompass embedded services within the environment (such as filtering of contaminants) or changes to environmental services (such as land degradation) respectively. Light blue arrows indicate the bidirectional feedbacks between dynamical linkages and the material flows linking natural resources, products, and waste streams.« less
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