Adapting to Climate Change’s Impact on Water, Food, and Energy Sectors

Climate change is reshaping global sectors, impacting agriculture, water, and energy. Adapting to these changes is crucial for sustainability.

❖ Agriculture and Food Security
Diversifying crops and livestock can reduce total crop failure risks. Developing drought, heat, salinity, and pest-resistant crop varieties is essential. Efficient irrigation techniques, such as drip and sprinkler systems, along with rainwater harvesting and soil moisture conservation, help improve water availability and crop yields.
Sustainable practices like agroforestry integrate trees into agriculture, providing shade, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing soil fertility. Techniques such as conservation tillage and cover cropping support soil health and prevent degradation [1].

❖ Water Resources
As urbanization and water demand rise, efficient water management is crucial. A study [2] using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) evaluates water management strategies. High-priority strategies like « Smart Metering, » « Demand Management, »
« Behavior Change, » and « Smart Irrigation Systems » are highly effective. Medium-priority strategies, including « Educational Campaigns, » « Policy and Regulation, » « Rainwater Harvesting, » and « Graywater Recycling, » also play important roles. Integrating these strategies with lower-priority ones, such as « Water Desalination, » can provide tailored solutions for smart cities.

❖ Energy
A study [3] outlines key strategies for reducing emissions and addressing climate impacts in energy sector. (i) Implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS) in existing power plants allows continued fossil fuel use, vital for energy security in dependent regions. Captured CO2 can aid oil
recovery, but CCS is costly, involving high expenses for capture, transport, and storage. The process also requires significant energy, reducing plant efficiency and increasing operational costs. Long-term storage poses risks of leaks and limited geological storage sites may constrain scalability [4].
(ii) Expanding nuclear power offers a carbon-free resource with minimal emissions and high energy density. Nuclear plants provide stable electricity and reduce exposure to volatile energy markets. Advances like small modular reactors (SMRs) promise improved safety and efficiency.
However, risks include potential accidents, radioactive waste with long-term storage needs, high initial costs, lengthy construction times, and security concerns over weaponization [5].
(iii) Implementing renewable energy involves choosing between intermittent sources like photovoltaics and wind, which are cheaper, and continuous sources like concentrated solar power (CSP) with thermal storage, which are more expensive. A study [6] explores integrating these sources into Morocco’s electricity mix under different penetration scenarios, examining the impacts of cost, storage, spatio-temporal complementarities, and climate change.
(iv) Energy efficiency involves using less energy for the same results by enhancing system performance and reducing consumption. This lowers utility bills, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, eases strain on energy systems, and reduces the need for extra power generation. However, high initial costs and delayed visible benefits can deter investments in more efficient technologies or retrofits [3].
(v) Energy sobriety involves intentionally reducing energy use through behavioral and lifestyle changes rather than relying on new technologies. This includes opting for walking or cycling, minimizing heating and cooling, and avoiding unnecessary energy use. It reduces energy bills
without needing new infrastructure and can be implemented quickly and cost-effectively. However, it may require sacrifices in comfort and significant changes in habits and attitudes [3].
(vi) Smart grids are vital in combating climate change by integrating technologies for efficient electricity generation, transmission, and consumption. They enhance the use of renewables, enable demand response programs, and support electric vehicles, all of which cut carbon
emissions. However, their reliance on advanced information communication technologies makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Addressing these risks is crucial for system security. A study [7] using MCDM-AHP finds « access control and authentication » and « security information and event management » crucial for smart-grid security. « Compliance and regulatory requirements » and « encryption » are also valuable but less critical. It identifies « deep learning » as the top AI technique for cybersecurity, with « hybrid approaches, » « Bayesian networks, » « swarm intelligence, » and « machine learning » following. Techniques like « fuzzy logic, » « natural language processing, » « expert systems, » and « genetic algorithms » are less effective.

❖ Agrivoltaic and Offshore Floating Photovoltaic Systems: An Innovative Approaches in the Water-Food-Energy Nexus
Agrivoltaic systems use agricultural land for both farming and solar energy production. Solar panels installed above crops reduce water evaporation and improve soil moisture retention, enhancing crop resilience and water management by lowering irrigation needs. This approach mitigates climate change impacts and is crucial in water-scarce regions [8].

Offshore Floating Photovoltaic (OFPV) systems, installed on floating structures in water bodies, generate renewable energy, contribute to water conservation, without competing with land use. A study [9] finds Morocco’s South Atlantic coast most suitable for OFPV farms, while the North Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts are less favorable.

In conclusion, adapting to climate change across water, food, and energy sectors involves a combination of technological innovations, sustainable practices, and strategic planning to ensure a resilient and sustainable future.

References
[1] Malhi, G.S., Kaur, M., & Kaushik, P. (2021). Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture and Its Mitigation Strategies: A Review. Sustainability.
[2] Bouramdane, A.-A. (2023). Optimal Water Management Strategies: Paving the Way for Sustainability in Smart Cities. Smart Cities, 6, 2849-2882.
https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities6050128
[3] Bouramdane, A.-A. (2024), « Morocco’s Path to a Climate-Resilient Energy Transition: Identifying Emission Drivers, Proposing Solutions, and Addressing Barriers », Science and Technology for Energy Transition, https://doi.org/10.2516/stet/2024021
[4] Singh, N., Farina, I., Petrillo, A., Colangelo, F., & De Felice, F. (2023). Carbon capture, sequestration, and usage for clean and green environment: challenges and opportunities.
International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, 16, 248 – 268.
[5] GE Steam Power. (n.d.). Nuclear energy: A critical pillar of a carbon-free future. Retrieved August 19, 2024, from https://www.gevernova.com/steam-power/nuclear-turbine-island/carbon-free-future
[6] Bouramdane, A-A. (2021), « Scenarios of Large-Scale Solar Integration with Wind in Morocco:
Impact of Storage, Cost, Spatio-Temporal Complementarity and Climate Change ». Institut Polytechnique de Paris, [PhD Thesis], Physics, Oct 2021, https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-03518906
[7] Bouramdane, A.-A. (2023). Cyberattacks in Smart Grids: Challenges and Solving the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making for Cybersecurity Options, Including Ones That Incorporate Artificial Intelligence, Using an Analytical Hierarchy Process. Journal of Cybersecurity and Privacy (JCP), 3,
662-705. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcp3040031
[8] Bouramdane, A-A. (2022), « Agrivoltaïque, De Quoi Parle-t-on Au Juste? », énergie/mines & carrières, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7594342. URL: https://energiemines.ma/agrivoltaique-de-quoi-parle-t-on-au-juste/
[9] Bouramdane, A-A. (2023), « Potential Site for Offshore Floating Photovoltaic Systems in Morocco: Evaluation Criteria Required Considering Climate Change Effects to Achieve the Energy Trilemma », Lambert Academic Publishing (LAP), ISBN: 978-620-6-15964-3,
https://www.morebooks.shop/shop-ui/shop/product/9786206159643

By Ayat-Allah Bouramdane
Assistant Professor – Researcher at the International University of Rabat (College of E&A – LERMA lab)