Water–food–energy nexus in Chile: the challenges due to global change in different regional contexts

Published in Water International, v. 40(5-6):839-855 
Authors

Meza, F.J., Vicuna, S., Gironás, J., Poblete, D., Suárez, F. and Oertel, M.
Publication year 2015
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060.2015.1087797
Affiliations
  • Centro Interdisciplinario de Cambio Global, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
  • Departamento de Ecosistemas y Medio Ambiente, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
  • Aquasec, IAI Center of Excellence for Water Security, Santiago, Chile
  • Departamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
  • Centro de Desarrollo Urbano Sustentable CONICYT/FONDAP/15110020, Santiago, Chile
IAI Program

CRN3
IAI Project CRN3056
Keywords
basin scale
global change challenges
nexus communication
Chile

Abstract

This paper modifies the traditional representation of the water&ndashfood&ndashenergy (WFE) nexus by emphasizing the flows or influences between components. This allows a better representation of the dynamic nature of the WFE nexus in response to global change drivers. It applies a conceptual figure to synthesize the status and future challenges of the nexus in four regions of Chile that are currently under pressure due to climate variability, relative water scarcity and strong competition for water from different sectors.