WEF NEXUS PROJETS
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Transdisciplinary Design of WEF Nexus Support for the Sevilla River Basin, Magdalena, Colombia
This project seeks to carry out a transdisciplinary and collaborative research process that allows for the integration of existing information, local knowledge, and interests of multiple stakeholders for the sustainable management of water, energy, and food resources in the Sevilla River basin(incorporating also the Frío basin). By applying the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus framework, the project team will expand understanding of the management of water, land, and vegetation for food production and the efficient use of alternative energy sources, especially from crop and commodity-processing residues, as well as the risks and uncertainties of climate change.
External partners
- WWF
- Agrosavia
- Cenipalma
- Fedepalma
- George Washington University
Sustainability Analysis of the use of Water, Energy and Food (Food Production and Refrigeration) and Environmental Conservation Efforts on Isla Fuerte, Colombia
This collaborative study will investigate the water-energy-food nexus in Isla Fuerte, Colombia. Isla Fuerte is a Caribbean island, three square kilometers in size, located south of the Gulf of Morrosquillo, and is part of the Marine Protected Area of Our Lady of Rosario and San Bernardo. The economy is very dependent on tourism and fishing. The island has groundwater accessible in wells and rainwater is collected for domestic use. It also has a hybrid system since 2008, which provides energy to 400 homes with a solar energy source during the day and liquefied gas at night. However, electricity is limited to four hours a day due to high demand for its growing population and hotel industry dedicated to tourism. This project will focus on the following academic areas and their corresponding interactions: social, financial and environmental sustainability of energy on the island with an emphasis on the expansion of the existing solar energy system for the purpose of freezing and processing food (crops and fish), as well as the diversification of renewable and sustainable sources of energy, such as biodigesters (for power generation and fertiliser production), and/or biocarbon obtained from wood found on beaches.
External partners
- Ocean Vida Foundation
Integrating socio-economic and hydro-ecological modelling of the Chingaza Paramo to evaluate its ecosystem service provision to the Bogota River Basin via the application of a WEF Nexus framework
In the Northern Andes, Paramo ecosystems regulate downstream runoff conditions in socially, ecologically, and economically important river basins. Such is the extent of their ability to regulate flow that important cities such as Bogota have expanded rapidly in terms of population based partially on the ability to tap into water supplies regulated by upstream Paramos, limiting expensive investments in water storage infrastructure. This project will develop future climate scenarios that can be used to force a computational model of Paramo hydrodynamics. A conceptual model developed by the project will guide the parameterization of a quasi-physical, lumped parameter rainfall-runoff model available within the WEAP water system modelling platform.
External partners
- Amazon
Analysis of the Water, Energy and Food Nexus in Vulnerable Communities of La Guajira (Colombia), Under a Sustainable Approach
In La Guajira, indigenous communities experience poor living conditions and a lack of public utilities that exposes them to extreme poverty and malnutrition. However large-scale shifts from fossil fuel to renewable energy production in the department signal an opportunity for holistic societal transformation. We propose developing, piloting, and implementing a sustainable water, energy, and food (WEF) model to improve natural resource security amid systemic governance transitions. To do so, we will conduct a participatory appraisal to assess community WEF needs and expectations. We will characterise WEF-nexus component availability in upper and lower Guajira communities.
External partners
- Alpina Foundation