Question #1

● Describe what you believe are the two most important relationships between food,
energy and water in the nexus triangle

1. ​ ater to Food (Food Processing and Irrigation): This link is vital as water is a critical
W
input for agricultural production, significantly influencing food security. Irrigated
agriculture, which represents 20% of total cultivated land, contributes to 40% of the total
food produced globally. It is at least twice as productive per unit of land as rainfed
agriculture, enabling more production intensification and crop diversification. Due to
increasing population growth, urbanization, and climate change, there's expected to be
heightened competition for water resources, impacting agriculture. With agriculture
accounting for 70% of all freshwater withdrawals globally, efficient water use and
technological advancements in irrigation and water delivery systems are essential to meet
the growing food demands​​.
2. Energy to Food (Irrigation, Farm Inputs, Processing, and Distribution): Energy plays a
crucial role throughout the agrifood chain, from crop production, post-harvest operations,
food storage and processing, to food transport and distribution. Direct energy includes
electricity, mechanical power, and fuels, while indirect energy encompasses the energy
required for manufacturing inputs like machinery, farm equipment, fertilizers, and
pesticides. The 1960s and 1970s 'green revolution' addressed food shortages through
increased use of inorganic fertilizers, expanded irrigation, and fossil fuels for farm
mechanization and food processing. However, rising energy costs and volatile energy
markets pose challenges for maintaining these gains. Globally, the agrifood chain
consumes 30% of the world’s available energy, with over 70% used beyond the farm gate.
Food processing, despite being less energy intensive than sectors like steel or cement, is
still significant in its energy consumption, with potential for efficiency improvements. A
report by EIA found that practical efficiency improvements in food processing could result
in up to a 20% reduction in the energy efficiency gap​​.
 Works Cited
1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. "Energy Smart Agriculture."
E-Agriculture, www.fao.org/e-agriculture. Accessed [16 Nov 2023].
2. International Food Policy Research Institute. "Energy Use in Agriculture." IFPRI,
www.ifpri.org. Accessed [16 Nov 2023].
3. U.S. Energy Information Administration. "The Energy Efficiency Gap and Energy Price
Responsiveness in Food Processing." EIA, www.eia.gov. Accessed [16 Nov 2023].
4. The World Bank. "Water in Agriculture." World Bank, www.worldbank.org. Accessed [16
Nov 2023]..
Question #2
Climate Justice
● Provide your personal opinion on who exactly is most impacted (by the negative impacts
of climate change) from a climate justice standpoint. Please use at least 3 facts that we've
discussed in class (from lectures and guest speakers) and make an argument for why
corporations should help address this issue.

From a climate justice perspective, the most impacted groups are:

● Future Generations: As Gro Harlem Brundtland's definition of sustainable development
emphasizes, our development should not compromise the needs of future generations.
Guest lecturer Robert Strand echoed this sentiment, reinforcing that the prevailing
negative impacts of climate change, such as the increase in natural disasters, the alarming
rates of natural resource depletion, and the critical loss of biodiversity, present a dire
forecast for the capacities of future generations to sustain themselves. The climate crisis,
as both Strand and Brundtland would argue, is not only an environmental issue but also a
profound challenge to the very ethos of intergenerational equity and justice.
● Marginalized Communities: Michael Kobori noted during his guest lecture that climate
change disproportionately impacts marginalized communities - those who contribute the
least to climate change often suffer the most. This includes low-income populations,
indigenous groups, and residents of developing nations, who have limited resources to
adapt to climate change and are often the first to face the dire consequences, such as
food insecurity and displacement. This was further bolstered by Ayesha Barenblat, who
brought up the many facets of injustice faced by garment workers in the fashion industry,
which is a poignant example of such marginalized groups. Garment workers,
predominantly women, work in unsafe conditions for substandard wages, and the
environmental degradation from the industry further exacerbates their vulnerability.
Barenblat's nonprofit, Remake, underscores the need for the fashion industry to reform,
advocating for the rights of these workers and pushing for transparency and sustainability.
Question #3 - finished
Regenerative Agriculture
● Define regenerative agriculture and name three things a company can do to contribute to
a regenerative agriculture system.

Regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach to farming and ranching that aims to build
ecosystem resilience by following principles that consider the complete context of the farm
system. It seeks to enhance ecosystem services, improve soil fertility, increase biodiversity,
conserve water, and sequester carbon. This approach to land management is deeply rooted in
practices honed by Indigenous communities and continuously evolves through learning from
farmers and land stewards.

Simple Mills, through its efforts, illustrates three ways a company can contribute to a regenerative
agriculture system:

1. Design for Diverse Ingredients: Companies can design products that feature a variety of
ingredients, especially those that go beyond dominant crops like wheat and corn. This
diversification can increase soil carbon storage and create habitats for pollinators. For
instance, Simple Mills incorporates ingredients such as chestnut, buckwheat, and flax,
which contribute to soil health and support biodiversity.
2. Direct Trade with Farmers: Establishing direct trade relationships with farmers who
prioritize regenerative principles allows companies to incentivize and support farming
practices that yield positive ecosystem outcomes. Simple Mills engages in direct trade,
working closely with farmers to disrupt traditional commodity supply models and linking
consumers to the origins of their food.
3. Invest in Sourcing Regions: Companies can invest in the communities from which they
source ingredients by providing support such as agricultural coaching, forums for
grower-to-grower connections, and assistance with soil health research and tool
upgrades. Simple Mills' Almond Project in California's Central Valley is a prime example,
where they collaborate with various stakeholders to implement soil health practices and
share their findings broadly to encourage widespread adoption of regenerative methods.
Question #4 - finished
Supply Chain
Marcus Chung described two historical events that were catalysts for change in the global labor
supply chain. Name one of the incidents, and describe the changes that occurred as a result of
the tragedies.

One of the incidents that served as a catalyst for change in the global labor supply chain, as
presented by Marcus Chung, is the Rana Plaza tragedy. This catastrophic event occurred in 2013
when a building housing garment factories in Bangladesh collapsed, leading to the death of 1,129
garment workers.

The changes that ensued from the Rana Plaza disaster are significant in the context of labor
rights and safety standards. In the aftermath, there was an international outcry which led to:

● Increased Minimum Wage: In Bangladesh, the government responded to international

pressure and local advocacy by increasing the minimum wage for garment workers. This
move aimed to improve the standard of living for workers who were often laboring in poor
conditions for meager pay.
● Alliance & Accord: The formation of the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety and the
Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety were crucial outcomes. Both agreements
focused on improving factory safety, but they operated different mechanisms for
inspections, remediation, and worker safety programs.
● Inspections, Upgrades, Closures: There was a sweeping move for rigorous inspections
of factory buildings to ensure compliance with safety standards. Factories that did not
meet these standards were upgraded or shut down.
● Worker Helplines: Helplines were established to allow workers to report issues
anonymously. This was a significant step in worker empowerment, providing a direct line
to raise concerns about working conditions without fear of retaliation.