What We're Doing

The nexus between water resources and energy resources drives increasing greenhouse gas emissions across the world. These two resources cannot be "conserved" or "developed" without impacting each other, and thus they must be managed together and not separately as they have historically. The impacts of the water and energy decisions we make today will determine whether we create a “water crisis” that will only compound the existing energy crisis, or whether we move to a more sustainable future.

In the United States, water-related energy (the energy used to heat, treat and pump water supplies) represents more than 13% of our electrical production, while at the same time electricity generation uses approximately 53% of our nation's fresh surface water resources. Even as some communities increase conservation to avoid running out of drinking water, thermo-electric power plants (coal, nuclear and natural gas) take more and more each year.

In response to these issues, River Network's Rivers, Energy & Climate Program is organizing a Peer Learning Network on Community Climate Response and is looking for people who want to participate in the Network, inspire their communities and lead climate response efforts. Starting in October, 2011, selected staff members and volunteers of water protection organizations will come together for 8 months of professional support towards becoming more effective leaders on climate issues. Learn more about the Peer Learning Network here and apply to join the Network here.

Additionally in response to these issues, River Network's Rivers, Energy & Climate Program has been producing its Saving Water, Saving Energy Blog and monthly E-Newsletter since since 2008. The Saving Water, Saving Energy Blog and E-Newsletter have been designed to provide it's readers with the latest and most pressing news, resources and analysis on the inextricable connections between water, energy, and climate change issues also know as the Water-Energy-Climate Nexus. Stay up to date on the water-energy-climate nexus by following the SWSE Blog and by signing up to receive the SWSE E-Newsletter each month.

SWSE Blog