The importance of water-energy nexus for sustainable development: A South America perspective

Abstract

Water and energy are indispensable to the social and economic development of a country. The rising pressure on resource demands, new production, and consumption models requires a better understanding about the connections between water and energy. In a world of growing population and urbanization, cities are becoming the focus of international efforts of sustainability. According to the United Nations, over 100 years ago, only 10 % of the world population lived in the cities. Nowadays, this rate is of 15 %, and the tendency is for that number to rise over the next years, reaching 75 % in 2050. In order to accommodate this increasing population pressure, cities need to become more intelligent, well prepared, and organized, aiming to reduce poverty, providing education and health, managing and optimizing natural resources, protecting the environment, and facing climate change. This chapter gives a better understanding about the water-energy nexus. It shows the importance of an integrated engagement in future interdisciplinary research and development to target water-use efficiency in the energy sector and energy efficiency.