342
food, energy, and water as both factors of production and consumption goods,
including aggregation of model output to CGE sectors and regions.
A hybrid FEW system model development approach could focus on a more flexible modeling framework that combines the strengths of the bottom-up and topdown approaches. This would recognize the distinctive dynamics of FEW systems
and their interactions, and overcome a number of inherent limitations of linking
individual sector models or the CGE framework to explore the nexus. These limitations are likely to become increasingly problematic for policy making (and associated analysis) as interactions and pressures increase.
In Chap. 2, we explored FEW systems as complex systems characterized by
heterogeneous parts with complex interactions that make them interdependent,
coevolving, and subject to distributed control. Unsurprisingly, modeling FEW systems is challenging because interactions are complex and nonlinear, operate at different time and spatial scales, and are characterized by dynamic interactions between
physical systems and the institutional and social systems that interact with and manage them.
We also noted that the characteristics of the whole system emerge from the interactions between the components of the system giving rise to stability and changes
that are often hard to predict and sensitive to initial conditions. Thus, integrated
models of FEW systems can produce insights and discoveries that do not emerge
from research on food or energy or water systems alone; the synergy among these
components provides pathways to produce new knowledge and practical applications to solve the challenges of FEW sustainability and security.
All framings have a shared scientific challenge in integrating and providing
coherence to the nexus—disparate spatial and temporal scales that are inherent to
physical, biological, social/behavioral processes within an integrated FEW system.
The diversity of scales also applies to interactions and feedbacks between components. The scales associated with external stressors (e.g., climate) may be quite
different from those of impacts (e.g., regional droughts, impacts on agricultural
production, energy shortages).
Continuing challenges for integrated modeling in this emerging field are identifying and addressing shared needs of FEW systems stakeholders, facilitating tailored analyses over different geographical regions, computing in varying spatial and
temporal scales, improving system efficiencies, and addressing FEW system vulnerabilities and resilience to human and natural stressors. Chapter 15 expands on
this topic.
12.4.4 Computing
Computer science is a set of scientific tools and techniques that have revolutionized
how science is being conducted. For the last decade, one of the main reasons for the
snowball effect in scientific breakthroughs was the use of computational tools and
techniques that made large and complex computations possible.
M. Carbajales-Dale et al.
food, energy, and water as both factors of production and consumption goods,
including aggregation of model output to CGE sectors and regions.
A hybrid FEW system model development approach could focus on a more flexible modeling framework that combines the strengths of the bottom-up and topdown approaches. This would recognize the distinctive dynamics of FEW systems
and their interactions, and overcome a number of inherent limitations of linking
individual sector models or the CGE framework to explore the nexus. These limitations are likely to become increasingly problematic for policy making (and associated analysis) as interactions and pressures increase.
In Chap. 2, we explored FEW systems as complex systems characterized by
heterogeneous parts with complex interactions that make them interdependent,
coevolving, and subject to distributed control. Unsurprisingly, modeling FEW systems is challenging because interactions are complex and nonlinear, operate at different time and spatial scales, and are characterized by dynamic interactions between
physical systems and the institutional and social systems that interact with and manage them.
We also noted that the characteristics of the whole system emerge from the interactions between the components of the system giving rise to stability and changes
that are often hard to predict and sensitive to initial conditions. Thus, integrated
models of FEW systems can produce insights and discoveries that do not emerge
from research on food or energy or water systems alone; the synergy among these
components provides pathways to produce new knowledge and practical applications to solve the challenges of FEW sustainability and security.
All framings have a shared scientific challenge in integrating and providing
coherence to the nexus—disparate spatial and temporal scales that are inherent to
physical, biological, social/behavioral processes within an integrated FEW system.
The diversity of scales also applies to interactions and feedbacks between components. The scales associated with external stressors (e.g., climate) may be quite
different from those of impacts (e.g., regional droughts, impacts on agricultural
production, energy shortages).
Continuing challenges for integrated modeling in this emerging field are identifying and addressing shared needs of FEW systems stakeholders, facilitating tailored analyses over different geographical regions, computing in varying spatial and
temporal scales, improving system efficiencies, and addressing FEW system vulnerabilities and resilience to human and natural stressors. Chapter 15 expands on
this topic.
12.4.4 Computing
Computer science is a set of scientific tools and techniques that have revolutionized
how science is being conducted. For the last decade, one of the main reasons for the
snowball effect in scientific breakthroughs was the use of computational tools and
techniques that made large and complex computations possible.
M. Carbajales-Dale et al.