General connections between water, food and energy

Food and agriculture are the main consumers of water around the world,
using 70% of water collected from rivers and groundwater.

Of this amount, only half is truly absorbed for plant growth; most is lost
through evaporation.

In terms of the food industry, water is applied not only for
irrigation purposes but also for livestock.

As the world population increases, the amount of water required for
the necessary food production will increase proportionally.

Currently, cereals are the major type of food consumed around the world; however,
it is livestock such as cattle that ingest the most water per head.

A large percentage of the water used in irrigation is collected
through rainfall, so, as a result, the amount of water used is different for every region.

Agricultural practices differs greatly around the globe according to
climate and precipitation, not to mention established infrastructure.

Aside from it's use in the food industry, water has been a driving
force behind energy production.

In earlier times, the movement of running water was harnessed to provide the impetus behind the rotation of wheels such as in mills or steamboats. Its importance has continued well into the electrical age, as hydropower continues to provide
energy for the modern lifestyle.

The most typical practice of hydroelectricity involves the damming of lakes in a reservoir and
releasing the water through generators or turbines.

Alternate practices involving the ocean take advantage of the following:
the differing levels of tides, the oscillating motion of the waves,
and the difference in temperature of cold deep ocean water and warm
surface water.

Finally, there is the development of projects involving
salt water and algae growth, the purposes of which are to harness
solar power and provide fuel, respectively.


by eveline lam. 20387752
done on november 8.


BIBLIO

Lenntech. "Use of water in food and agriculture." Accessed November 1, 2010. http://www.lenntech.com/water-food-agriculture.htm.

GDRC.org. "Water as an Energy Source: Wave, Tide and Hydroelectric Energy." Accessed November 1, 2010. http://www.gdrc.org/uem/energy/water-energy.html.