Exploring the Energy-Water-Food Nexus: New Insights

Dr. Nyangon, alongside Prof. Lawrence Agbemabiese and Dr. Nabil Al-Abbas, has contributed a compelling chapter titled “Entangled Systems at the Energy-Water-Food Nexus: Challenges and Opportunities” in the new volume Reconsidering the Impact of Climate Change on Global Water Supply, Use, and Management, edited by Prof. Prakash Rao and Yogesh Patil.

The chapter provides an in-depth analysis of the interconnected energy, water, and food (EWF) systems, emphasizing how large-scale development investments influence institutional, political, economic, and social processes. Using the E4 framework—energy, economy, environment, and equity—the authors assess threats to these critical systems and explore strategies for integrated resource management (IRM).

A detailed case study in Delaware illustrates the practical implications of sectoral conflicts and the benefits of cross-sectoral coordination. The work highlights how energy powers food production and water distribution, water sustains energy and agriculture, and food underpins both sectors for a growing population.

This research underscores the importance of a nexus approach to mitigate unintended consequences of single-sector interventions and informs policymakers seeking sustainable, coordinated resource management. Dr. Nyangon’s chapter contributes vital insights for advancing global strategies to secure energy, water, and food resources in a changing climate.