the water food energy nexus and sustainability gary lawrence, vice president and chief...
TRANSCRIPT
The Water Food Energy Nexus and SustainabilityGary Lawrence, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer
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The Food Water Energy Nexus
The Water Food Energy Nexus - an animation
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There is no sustainable solution without a water solution
Electricity generation accounts for 39% of all U.S. freshwater withdrawals
70% of global freshwater withdrawal used to irrigate 30% of global crop production
Global groundwater footprint is currently 3.5 times actual area of aquifers
Global crop production must double by 2,050 to feed 9 billion
40% of all U.S. rivers, lakes and coastal waters are too polluted for swimming, fishing or drinking
More than 40% of this pollution is agricultural-based
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A Texas Example
Texas consumes more electricity than any other state
86% of power is generated by coal and natural gas
2011 drought stressed power generation
The population will double by 2060 to 46 million
Demand for water will increase by 27%
80% of Texas is in some form of agriculture
The agriculture sector grows 5.3% annually
Almost 80% of groundwater withdrawal is for irrigation
Pumping of aquifers already exceeds recharge in some areas
Texas has ambitious bio-fuel plans
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Cheers!
It takes 17 million barrels of oil to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water
This excludes the cost of transportation, refrigeration and recycling
It takes 3 liters of water to make a 1 liter bottle of water
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There is no Planet B
Sustainability matters.
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We have the technology
We have the tools to assesssystems use holistically.
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Public opinion matters
Greater transparency of useand cost can be a big driverof change.
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Policy and adoption
Utilities, business andgovernment together are in apowerful position to leadpolicy reform.
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Living well within our resources
Thank You