Climate and Energy-Water-Land System Interactions

This report highlights much of the limited information on and understanding of climate and energy-water-land (EWL) system interactions in the context of issues, potential impacts, and long-term research needs. The report begins with a detailed characterization of the climate-EWL nexus and associated issues in terms of the interfaces between the three interdependent energy, water, and land resource sectors. This report provides a framework to characterize and understand the important elements of climate and EWL system interactions. It identifies many of the important issues, discusses our understanding of those issues, and identifies the research needs to address the priority scientific challenges and gaps in our understanding. Much of the discussion is organized around two discrete case studies with the broad themes of (1) extreme events and (2) regional differences. A conceptual model is presented that defines the EWL nexus in terms of resource supply and demand linkages. Using this model, the report briefly describes the paired bilateral interfaces of energy-water, energy-land, and land-water, as well as the integrated three-part system of energy-water-land interfaces. It also includes examples of supply-demand linkages and processes for selected human and ecosystem support applications. The report then explores how individual bilateral interfaces interact in response to climate. Next, the report addresses risk, uncertainty, and vulnerability in the context of sector interfaces. Mitigation and adaptation decision-making vulnerabilities, opportunities, and coordination are then discussed in light of their EWL relationships. Finally, long-term research needs are discussed in the context of challenges and opportunities with regard to data completeness and accuracy; requirements for integrated modeling including energy, water, and land systems; and identified risks, vulnerabilities, and uncertainties.