590
food, energy, and water into conflict. Thus, many of the case studies in Chap. 20
(Managing Human Conflicts) are triggered by droughts. As shown in Chap. 11,
climate change will result in more droughts in the future.
Chapter 20 also notes that FEW conflicts are often outbreaks based on longterm simmering tensions between different interests and that droughts are an
opportunity to recognize and address long-term FEW tensions and develop integrated solutions.
Because food and energy are heavily traded (Chap. 7), local disruptions in food
and energy production can be mitigated by imports. However, imports can be
physically denied (e.g., the oil crisis of 1973–1974), and be too expensive for many
in need. These situations often highlight issues of systemic, long-term poverty, and
other forms of social exclusion. In Chap. 3 (Development), we noted the importance
of this issue in developing countries. In Sect. 18.4, we described the significance of
poverty and exclusion in cities. In such situations, responses can recognize interactions with other components and tensions between them. For example, solutions to
local disruptions in food and energy flows can include greater demands on water,
arable land, and biomass, each of which creates tensions between FEW interests.
Acute shortages can also be a result of infrastructure failure. Short-term failures
of electric power grids are not uncommon. Rivers are examples of natural infrastructure that move food, energy, and water. One important aspect of droughts is
their ability to impact FEW transportation on rivers. During the Great Plains
Drought of 2012, low water levels on the Mississippi River limited barge traffic on
the river moving coal and crops.
Finally, it should be recognized that flooding, in addition to drought, can also
bring about acute shortages of food, energy, and water, through direct impacts and
through infrastructure impacts.
Whatever the cause of acute scarcity, it is frequently associated with a level of
social unrest that motivates action by governments and international organizations.
Acute scarcities were part of the motivation of the Sustainable Development Goals
(Sect. 3.7). Responding to acute shortages and achieving the SDGs for food, energy,
and water simultaneously is a strong motivation for integrating food, energy, and
water management. In particular, repeated shortages highlight the limitation of
single- sector solutions and make clear the need for integrated management.
21.2.2 Significant Externalities Arising from FEW Decisions
and Stakeholder Actions
Throughout this book were have noted many examples of externalities. In Sect.
5.3.1, we noted examples such as the following:
1. applications of nitrogen fertilizers on food crops impacting local rivers and aquifers but not being reflected in the costs of the fertilizer appliers or their resultant
crop product price;
B. Kinne et al.
food, energy, and water into conflict. Thus, many of the case studies in Chap. 20
(Managing Human Conflicts) are triggered by droughts. As shown in Chap. 11,
climate change will result in more droughts in the future.
Chapter 20 also notes that FEW conflicts are often outbreaks based on longterm simmering tensions between different interests and that droughts are an
opportunity to recognize and address long-term FEW tensions and develop integrated solutions.
Because food and energy are heavily traded (Chap. 7), local disruptions in food
and energy production can be mitigated by imports. However, imports can be
physically denied (e.g., the oil crisis of 1973–1974), and be too expensive for many
in need. These situations often highlight issues of systemic, long-term poverty, and
other forms of social exclusion. In Chap. 3 (Development), we noted the importance
of this issue in developing countries. In Sect. 18.4, we described the significance of
poverty and exclusion in cities. In such situations, responses can recognize interactions with other components and tensions between them. For example, solutions to
local disruptions in food and energy flows can include greater demands on water,
arable land, and biomass, each of which creates tensions between FEW interests.
Acute shortages can also be a result of infrastructure failure. Short-term failures
of electric power grids are not uncommon. Rivers are examples of natural infrastructure that move food, energy, and water. One important aspect of droughts is
their ability to impact FEW transportation on rivers. During the Great Plains
Drought of 2012, low water levels on the Mississippi River limited barge traffic on
the river moving coal and crops.
Finally, it should be recognized that flooding, in addition to drought, can also
bring about acute shortages of food, energy, and water, through direct impacts and
through infrastructure impacts.
Whatever the cause of acute scarcity, it is frequently associated with a level of
social unrest that motivates action by governments and international organizations.
Acute scarcities were part of the motivation of the Sustainable Development Goals
(Sect. 3.7). Responding to acute shortages and achieving the SDGs for food, energy,
and water simultaneously is a strong motivation for integrating food, energy, and
water management. In particular, repeated shortages highlight the limitation of
single- sector solutions and make clear the need for integrated management.
21.2.2 Significant Externalities Arising from FEW Decisions
and Stakeholder Actions
Throughout this book were have noted many examples of externalities. In Sect.
5.3.1, we noted examples such as the following:
1. applications of nitrogen fertilizers on food crops impacting local rivers and aquifers but not being reflected in the costs of the fertilizer appliers or their resultant
crop product price;
B. Kinne et al.