This book addresses these pressing issues, providing a comprehensive overview of the challenges posed by climate change and their impacts on society. It also presents a series of innovative actions aimed at enhancing the resilience of modern society.

The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus is a critical area of research aimed at building a more sustainable society. As climate change intensifies, the pressures of water and food scarcity, along with rising energy demands, call for careful planning, international cooperation, and solutions that address environmental security challenges. Beyond resource management, the WEF Nexus must also consider the social security issues tied to environmental and resource limitations, such as health risks.

In today's rapidly changing and unpredictable climate landscape, a multidisciplinary approach to the WEF Nexus is essential. This requires collaboration and continuous dialogue between experts across various fields. While no single solution can address the global environmental crisis, every effort to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions represents a step toward mitigating climate change. Different geographical conditions necessitate tailored solutions, highlighting the importance of a multi-faceted approach to climate resilience.

New sustainable strategies are needed to improve resource management. Applying Circular Economy principles to the water-energy-food interconnections across diverse regions will be crucial in identifying alternative, beneficial pathways. The use of renewable resources, advancements in wastewater treatment, smart cultivation practices, and biomass valorization can bolster societal resilience, benefiting the entire community. Additionally, integrating innovative technologies and process designs can lead to biorefineries with lower GHG emissions, aligning with the goals of sustainable growth and human well-being.

Water/Energy/Food Nexus and social implications Circular Economy for a safer and more sustainable society The role of research for resilience and human well-being

Autorentext

Antonella Angelini, graduated in Chemistry cum laude at the University of Bari in 2007, got her Ph.D. in Chemical Science in 2010 from University of Bari during which she trained in the development of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts for the conversion and activation of CO2. In 2011, she started her postdoctoral activity working on several innovative methodologies for the conversion of waste carbon into valuable products within projects financed by public and private entities (University of Bari, TOTAL SpA, Novamont). After an experience in a private company on the management of a liquid waste plant, in 2024 she joined the Water Research Institute of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IRSA) as Research Scientist to work on the topic of the Green Chemistry.

Dr. Luigi di Bitonto is Researcher at the National Council of Italian Research, CNR, Water Research Institute since 2021. He graduated in Chemical Sciences and Technologies cum laude from the University of Bari Aldo Moro in 2010 and obtained his Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences in 2014. During his Ph.D. studies, he carried out research activities on the valorization of animal and plant biomass resources for the production of third-generation biofuels. He worked at the University Consortium for Chemical Reactivity and Catalysis on the development of processes for the synthesis of platform molecules from residual biomass. As a scholarship holder (20152017) and postgraduate (20172020) at IRSA-CNR in Bari, he participated in numerous national and international projects, also with private companies, working on the valorization of wastewater sludge through thermo-chemical conversion into fine chemicals and/or liquid biofuel.

Dr. Carlo Pastore, graduated cum laude in Chemistry at the University of Bari in 2001, got his Ph.D. in Applied Enzymatic and Chemical Synthesis by discussing the thesis entitled Utilization of Carbon Dioxide for the Functionalization of Organic Substrates with the Assistance of Metal Complexes or Enzymatic Systems in March 2005. Since 2011, he works as Researcher at the National Council of Research at the Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA) and Member of the Italian Chemical Society, Environmental Division and Chemistry for Technologies Division, Green Chemistry Group. He has been involved as Principal Investigator for IRSA in over ten international and national research projects.

Inhalt

Energy/Food/Water Nexus: from Worldwide Contexts to the Mediterranean Area.- Modern concepts of Water depuration and use towards a secure resource.- Depletion of resources and Circular Economy as a strategic route for the rationalization of resources in the perspective of a sustainable and secure grow.- Process design, intensification and control for a safe and secure grow.- Energy/Food/Water Nexus: Technical and Social perspective for a safer management of resources.