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Water and the Future of Humanity pp 159–184Cite as

Water and Energy

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Abstract

Water policy is much broader than providing enough water to drink, grow crops, preserve ecosystems, and reduce the risks of floods. It is also about ensuring sufficient water to produce the energy demanded by society. Humans and their economies and societies critically depend on reliable supplies of energy and water. Energy, as electricity and liquid and gaseous fuels, available when and where needed, requires water to produce. Water, of sufficient quality and pressure, available when and where needed, requires energy to produce. In short, energy is needed to provide much of the water we need and use, and water is needed to provide most of the energy we need and use. How can we ensure enough of both to meet all future water and energy demands? Limitations of either can constrain future economic and social development as well as adversely impact human and environmental health.

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    © 2014 Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

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    Gulbenkian Think Tank on Water and the Future of Humanity. (2014). Water and Energy. In: Water and the Future of Humanity. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-01457-9_7

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