National science academies of 15 countries issued joint statements today calling on world leaders about to meet at the upcoming G8 Summit and other international gatherings this year to give greater consideration to the vital role science and technology could play in addressing some of the planet’s most pressing challenges.

Prior to the much anticipated Rio + 20 Conference of sustainable development; about 300 participants were invited to the River Basin Management conference in Thailand. Agreed upon among other key areas of discussion, was that water uses must meet the food, energy and water needs of the population and that a nexus approach is needed.

Assessment of human-environment systems together is so important, the document stresses, because the interdependence of Earth system processes affects ecosystems, human communities, and socio-economic sectors. Key resources – water, energy, and food – are strongly connected to the environment and are thus vulnerable to global change.

Scientists from 15 countries are calling for a better political response to the provision of water and energy to meet the challenge of feeding a world of 9 billion people within 30 years.

Water, energy and food security nexus high on the agenda

The Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental, and Scientific Affairs (OES) at the U.S. Department of State (DOS) requests applications from non-profits, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, and public international organizations for grants to support the management of a new initiative on multi-purpose infrastructure. Deadline is 4 June 2012.

An interview with Margaret Catley-Carlson, Vice Chair, Canadian Water Network and Member of the Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB)

What has brought nexus thinking to the fore, and what does this nexus look like? How does it relate to climate compatible development?

Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on RIO +20 is organizing the Asia Pacific Photo-Story Contest 2012 to mark the Voices of Youth globally in RIO+20, The UN Conference on Sustainable Development which is going to be held on June 20-22 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On 13 April 2012 Germany officially submitted its application for Bonn to accommodate the headquarters of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Uschi Eid, Co-Chairs of the Bonn2011 Nexus Conference, has recently been nominated as ambassadors to promote this application.

German-Rwandan Side event on the Nexus on 22nd March before the 3rd Intersessional Meeting of the UNCSD

Cutting down on the amount of food that is wasted around the world is a key component of water management, according to Dr. Colin Chartres, general director of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

Nature is the missing, fourth dimension of the water-food-energy security nexus, says Dr Mark Smith, Director of IUCN’s Water Programme.

“Living in the Water, Food and Energy Nexus”

The 12th edition of Green Week, the biggest annual conference on European environment policy.

UNCCD secretariat Recommendations for Policymakers: A Sustainable Development Goal for Rio+20 to secure the contribution of our planet’s land and soil to sustainable development, including food security and poverty eradication

Interview with Dirk Willem te Velde, team leader for drafting of the ERD 2011/12

by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Laos), TheunHinboun Power Company, Statkraft Oslo, Electrcité du Laos, and GMS Lao Company Ltd.

by Jains Irrigation India