Addressing the Food, Water, and Energy Nexus: 
Transatlantic Perspectives and Africa’s Great Chance

A report launch and discussion with:
Peter Engelke 
Senior Fellow, Strategic Foresight Initiative, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security,
Atlantic Council

The Honorable Constance Berry Newman 
Former Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, US Department of State 
Former Assistant Administrator for Africa, US Agency for International Development;
Senior Fellow, Africa Center, Atlantic Council

The Honorable Robert Thompson
Former Assistant Secretary for Economics, US Department of Agriculture; 
Visiting Scholar, The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University

Moderated by:
 J. Peter Pham
Director, Africa Center
Atlantic Council

 

Global demand for natural resources has never been higher, and is forecasted to rise continuously over the coming decades. One recent estimate predicts that by 2030, global demand for food will rise by 35 percent. Demand for water and energy will rise by 40 and 50 percent respectively. Since climate change will restrict the nations’ ability to meet rising demand, it is likely that this century’s looming food-water-energy nexus challenges will become central concerns to policymakers across the Atlantic.

The African continent is an important example of this nexus. As population and urbanization rates continue to rise, demands for food, water, and energy will obviously intensify. But policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic appear unprepared for the approaching social, political, and economic conflicts over this nexus.

A new study, authored by Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Peter Engelke, explores these relationships between food, water, and energy resources and how they shape our world and its future. The report looks specifically at the dangers of failing to tackle the challenges of this nexus in Africa, and the vast potential gains from doing so effectively. 

This initiative is generously supported by the OCP Group S.A.