Distinguished Professor University of California and Consulting Hydrologist, California, United States
Abstract Submission: This paper presents historical and projected data of global freshwater use, groundwater use, primary energy consumption, and CO2 emissions for the 20th and 21st centuries (through 2050). It is shown the world has become more energy intensive and water intensive, with ever rising consumption of freshwater (surface water plus groundwater), groundwater, and energy. Population growth and associated economic development drives the centuries long rise in water and energy consumption, which are projected to rise through 2050 and beyond this century. At the same time, the impacts of resource use are felt in various ways, one of the most conspicuous being associated with the increase in CO2 emissions, which were 1.95 metric gigatons (Gt) and 37.15 Gt in 1900 and 2022, respectively. The supply of energy to support a growing population with rising living standards is pondered in view of the global portfolio of energy sources: renewables, fossil, and nuclear. This paper shows that CO2 removal by human intervention very low probability of success without a transition to clean energy.
Learning Objectives/Expected Outcome (Optional) : Understanding of the integral water energy food nexus, Understanding of clean energy provision challenges Understanding of the prospect of CO2 removal by human action.
