Climate Action 2012-2013

AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND WATER
agriculture users) proactively seek to address
the reduction of their energy/carbon and water
footprints simultaneously. After all, where there
is a high energy/carbon footprint in the daily
operations of a plant, factory or building, in many
cases there is also a high water footprint.
Nevertheless, good news is beginning to percolate.
There now appears to be an evolving demand
from both municipal and industrial customers for
solutions that collectively address the energy and
water footprint issues. Dean Amhaus, President
and CEO of The Water Council, a leading
water technology cluster based in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, has emphasised that “there is not a
meeting I have attended where I don’t hear about
the relationship and importance of the waterenergy
nexus. From here on out these areas will
not be thought as disparate but instead symbiotic.”
The mayor of Milwaukee, Mayor Tom Barrett,
also acknowledges the interdependence between
water and energy. He notes the importance
of addressing this nexus when it comes to
sustainable economic development for the
region. In fact, Mayor Barrett reinforces the
view that “Milwaukee is a region fortunate to
have an abundant supply of clean water from
Lake Michigan. However, that does not mean
we should be wasteful. We’re embarking on a
sustainable energy and water path by upgrading
our wastewater reclamation plants so they reduce
their energy needs and utilise renewable energy
sources instead of fossil fuels. Cutting energy
costs is part of my strategy to grow our economy
and make our water-intensive industries more
competitive.”
“Energy is a major driver not
only in the treatment of water
but also in the transport and
delivery of water.”
Around the world as the global population
continues to flourish, urban metropolitan regions
grow, and industrial sectors are encouraged to
expand, there is clearly a growing need and
interest to assertively focus on challenges such as
water efficiency, water conservation, improved
water resource management and water re-use,
along with energy efficiency, energy conservation,
and the development of new energy sources.
Given the high energy usage that is very much
associated with water-related operations, evolving
water efficiency and water conservation initiatives
will clearly lead to lower energy usage, improved
energy conservation, and a reduced energy
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