IB Geography Topic 3.2.1 the Water–food–energy Nexus Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Geography Topic 3.2.1 the Water–food–energy Nexus Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

Written by official IB examiners

Interdependence of Resource Systems

Imagine trying to solve a puzzle where every piece is connected. If you move one piece, the entire picture shifts. This is how resource systems - water, food, and energy - operate.
They are deeply interdependent, and changes in one system can ripple through the others.

The Interdependence of Water, Food, and Energy

These three systems are not isolated. They form a tightly interconnected network.
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines: The water, food, and energy nexus means that the three sectors - water security, food security and energy security - are inextricably linked and that actions in one area more often than not have impacts in one or both of the others.

Note

These systems are not in isolation. Therefore, solutions in one area (e.g. using more water for obtaining energy by building a dam) often create challenges in another (e.g. water shortages for domestic use and for agriculture).

How They Interact

Water for Energy and Food
1. Water is essential for energy production (hydropower, cooling in nuclear and traditional power plants, needed while extracting natural resources like uranium or coal) and agriculture.
Energy for Water and Food
1. Energy is needed to pump, treat, and distribute water, as well as for farming and food processing.
Food's Impact on Water and Energy
1. Agriculture affects water quality (e.g., pollution from fertilizers) and consumes significant amounts of both water and energy (e.g., for irrigation).

Example

In South Asia, groundwater pumping for irrigation increases electricity demand, linking water scarcity directly to energy challenges.

National Water Security: A Foundation for Life and Development

Water security means ensuring reliable access to clean, safe water for drinking, agriculture, and industry.
Without it, economies falter, public health suffers, and eventually people can die.

Challenges to Water Security

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Note

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Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Interdependence of Resource Systems

Imagine trying to solve a puzzle where every piece is connected. If you move one piece, the entire picture shifts. This is how resource systems - water, food, and energy - operate.
They are deeply interdependent, and changes in one system can ripple through the others.

The Interdependence of Water, Food, and Energy

These three systems are not isolated. They form a tightly interconnected network.
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines: The water, food, and energy nexus means that the three sectors - water security, food security and energy security - are inextricably linked and that actions in one area more often than not have impacts in one or both of the others.

Note

How They Interact

Water for Energy and Food
1. Water is essential for energy production (hydropower, cooling in nuclear and traditional power plants, needed while extracting natural resources like uranium or coal) and agriculture.
Energy for Water and Food
1. Energy is needed to pump, treat, and distribute water, as well as for farming and food processing.
Food's Impact on Water and Energy
1. Agriculture affects water quality (e.g., pollution from fertilizers) and consumes significant amounts of both water and energy (e.g., for irrigation).

Example

In South Asia, groundwater pumping for irrigation increases electricity demand, linking water scarcity directly to energy challenges.

National Water Security: A Foundation for Life and Development

Water security means ensuring reliable access to clean, safe water for drinking, agriculture, and industry.
Without it, economies falter, public health suffers, and eventually people can die.

Challenges to Water Security

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

1 Changing Population3 subtopics

2 Global Climate - Vulnerability and Resilience3 subtopics

3 Global Resource Consumption and Security3 subtopics

4 Power, Places and Networks (HL only)3 subtopics

5 Human Development and Diversity (HL only)3 subtopics

6 Global Risks and Resilience (HL only)3 subtopics

Option A Freshwater - Drainage Basins4 subtopics

Option B Oceans and Coastal Margins4 subtopics

Option C Extreme Environments4 subtopics

Option D Geophysical Hazards4 subtopics

Option E Leisure, Tourism and Sport4 subtopics

Option F The Geography of Food and Health4 subtopics

Option G Urban Environments5 subtopics

IB Geography 3.2.1 the Water–food–energy Nexus Notes

1 Changing Population3 subtopics

2 Global Climate - Vulnerability and Resilience3 subtopics

3 Global Resource Consumption and Security3 subtopics

4 Power, Places and Networks (HL only)3 subtopics

5 Human Development and Diversity (HL only)3 subtopics

6 Global Risks and Resilience (HL only)3 subtopics

Option A Freshwater - Drainage Basins4 subtopics

Option B Oceans and Coastal Margins4 subtopics

Option C Extreme Environments4 subtopics

Option D Geophysical Hazards4 subtopics

Option E Leisure, Tourism and Sport4 subtopics

Option F The Geography of Food and Health4 subtopics

Option G Urban Environments5 subtopics

Interdependence of Resource Systems

The Interdependence of Water, Food, and Energy

How They Interact

National Water Security: A Foundation for Life and Development

Challenges to Water Security

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Interdependence of Resource Systems

The Interdependence of Water, Food, and Energy

How They Interact

National Water Security: A Foundation for Life and Development

Challenges to Water Security

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account