The Water, Food, and Environmental Security Nexus

Water, food, and environment are not only essential components of human life and existence but are also important for the economy. Given their interdependence, it is increasingly imperative to study them from a nexus perspective. Water is essential for daily life, industry, and agriculture and originates from varied underground and surface sources. The decreasing quality of water due to anthropogenic activities—such as pollution induced by industrialization, unsustainable agriculture and the wide use of toxic materials—contributes to water insecurity worldwide. Moreover, the underground water is being over-pumped in large quantities across in many regions, which results in water scarcity. Biological and technological advancements including hybrid seeds, improved irrigation facilities, efficient fertilizers use, effective disease and pest control, and efficient farm machinery in agricultural sector globally have contributed to increase the food production. Also, progress is being made in terms of economic development and growth but the sufficient and quality food is not available to the entire population for many reasons, including access and governance issues. Increasing food prices, unemployment, lack of opportunities and consumption smoothing make it difficult for the poor to access sufficient food. The natural environment is also on the verge of deterioration and degradation due to anthropogenic activities. Over and inefficient use of natural resources and unsustainable development have harmed the environment, sometimes irreversibly. Hence, this chapter aims at analyzing the different dimensions of water, food, and environment from a nexus perspective for a better understanding of the linkages between them and thus guide public policies aiming at fighting poverty, food insecurity and vulnerability while promoting a healthy environment for present and next generations.