The Gowing Australian Population and Its Effect on the Food-Energy-Water-Nexus - Capstone Project Example

There is a need to stabilize the rate of growth of the population to be able to enhance and promote water, energy, and food security. Uncontrolled growth in the population is strenuous on the water-food-energy nexus and poses the risk of food, energy, and water insecurity.Key termsBaby bonus- a scheme established to offer financial support to parents as an incentive for them to have more children.Biodiversity- the variety of different types of life found on the earth.Ecologically sustainable population- the maintenance of a stable population that does not pose a threat to natural resources.

Net overseas migration- This is the number of people moving into or from a countryZero net overseas migration- the system of ensuring that there is little or no migration of people from other countries into another countryIntroductionWater, food, and energy are closely linked such that any actions that are related to either of these systems will eventually impact the other systems. The three systems are essential for the well-being of all human beings especially in regard to sustainable development and poverty reduction.

They constitute the basic components that are essential for the survival of human beings (Hoff, 2011, 36). The production of food through agriculture is responsible for 70 percent of the use of freshwater worldwide (FAO, 2011a). This means that water is a key component in the production of food, not only in Australia but in the whole world. Food production is also responsible for the consumption of 30 percent of the total energy that is consumed globally (FAO, 2011b). Energy is therefore essential in the production, transportation, and distribution of food as well as in the extraction, pumping, and treatment of water.

In energy production, water is necessary for example water is required for extracting, processing, and transporting fossil fuels. The generation of thermoelectric requires water for the cooling of the machines while hydropower can only be generated only if there is the availability of water in reservoirs. This means that water is a key component in the production of energy. The extraction, pumping, treatment, and transport of water require energy. As the demand for water supply increases in other sectors so does the increase in the demand for supply in the production of energy.