The reading discussing “Sustainable development and the water-energy-food nexus: A perspective on livelihoods” argued for the need to incorporate livelihoods, and sustainable livelihoods into nexus frameworks. First, detail what the water-energy-food nexus actually is and what the framework offers. Second, detail what are major differences in approaches to research when comparing sustainable development and sustainable livelihoods. Finally, argue why incorporating sustainable livelihoods into nexus frameworks could prove useful, or problematic.
Category: Geology
Falling in love with a fish
The TED talk about falling in love with a fish, the reading about La Huerta in Valencia in addition to content provided in lectures showed “different ways of doing things” regarding water, food and agriculture. Outline what you feel are some of the lessons or key take aways from these examples (and others) the professor demonstrated. Moreover, what was the overarching argument the professor made about solutions, and what humans tend to be getting wrong over and over again? In short, what do they need to do in order to get it right? https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_barber_how_i_fell_in_love_with_a_fish?language=en
Competing demands between water, food and agriculture
Discuss the competing demands between water, food and agriculture. The reading titled “setting the scene” and content in class provided data about rising populations, economic growth, changing consumer preferences and subsequent impacts on water, agriculture and food. There is a symbiotic relationship coupling water, agriculture and food, so first outline some of the competing demands discussed in class. Then, detail some of the ways individuals, families and communities can reduce water demands and consequently have more control and less dependency (and vulnerability) on a highly globalized form of agriculture and food systems, while advancing sustainability, water and food security.
Global Climate Change
You will construct a working history from recent and ancient climate change evidence and discuss how this is measured then, you will explain what the significant effects of climate change are and what variables drive them.
In looking at potential impacts, what are the different scenarios of imminent change and the positive versus negative consequences, based on models of uncertainty?
I. History of Climate Change
a) What is the evidence for recent change? What measurements can be made?
b) What is the evidence of ancient change? What measurements can be made?
c) What history can be reconstructed from the evidence?
II. Potential Impact of Climate Change
a) What are the major effects (with regional examples) of climate change driven by these three main variables?
i. Rising global temperatures
ii. Use of fossil fuels
iii. Use of nuclear power
b) What are the different scenarios for imminent change based on the uncertainty ranges of our best model predictions?
c) What are the various regional positive versus negative consequences bounded by our models of uncertainty?