Triple bonding: water, food, energy and the choice of nuclear techniques

All global expectations point to increasing demands for water, energy and food in the next few years because of population increase, economic development, commercial exchange, urbanization, food diversification, cultural and technological development and climate change. Agriculture is the main water consumer of by about 80%. Food production consumes about 30% of energy. Energy is essential for the production, transport and distribution of food, as well as the water extraction and pumping, its collection and purification, as well as increasing demands for normal consumption by population groups, industrial activities and tourism sectors. This situation is likely to be worse in the near future, as FAO expects that agriculture and food demand will increase by 60% by 2050, and this will be accompanied by a rise in demand for energy and water that may reach 50%. In this context, Arab states and decision makers must review their strategies concerning improving the management and allocation of water resources for food security and rationalization of energy policies. The triangular interdependence of food security, water security and energy security in the Arab region is a stronger interdependence than in any other region in the world, and it will be more intensive in the future due to increased demand for natural resources and the negative effects of climate change phenomenon. Therefore, Arab officials must pay attention to this crisis and deal with it in one framework combining the three sectors, since the treatment of each sector alone would inevitably result obstacles to other two sectors. (author)