The Food, Energy, Water Nexus is a term that describes the place where it all meets and where our initiatives for closed-circle economies and zero-waste lives are most effective. But, this looks different for each and every one of us.
As for myself, I am trying to make better choices. Here in the United States, we are overloaded with choices. Culturally, we make choices based on length of time, cost, and convenience (the economy of the fast, cheap and easy!) Learning to question our choices and think deeper than our own personal gain is fundamental to moving toward the Nexus.
Here are a few conscious choices I have recently made partly thanks to the inspiration of classmates, professors and others who inspire me to keep seeking the Nexus and live better.
1) Bamboo Corral
We have a 5-acre farm and a few horses. I have been looking for metal panels to make a small corral area for my children to ride them close to the house. I was given some bamboo (as long as I cleared it out of the forest) so I got the idea to build the pen myself, with the help of my family, out of bamboo poles! This will save the metal, and reuse bamboo that would have otherwise been burned. It has also been a fun and challenging project with plenty of family time.
We have a 5-acre farm and a few horses. I have been looking for metal panels to make a small corral area for my children to ride them close to the house. I was given some bamboo (as long as I cleared it out of the forest) so I got the idea to build the pen myself, with the help of my family, out of bamboo poles! This will save the metal, and reuse bamboo that would have otherwise been burned. It has also been a fun and challenging project with plenty of family time.
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| Jey cutting bamboo poles for the corral! |
2) Palmer amaranth Problem
I refuse to use glyphosate or any other herbicide on our land. But, every time my boyfriend mows the yard, he cuts up and disperses "pigweed" (Palmer amaranth) and it grows back thicker. My daughter and I made a chicken tractor and we are hoping that the chickens will up root it and help us get rid of it. Then, I would like to plant a beneficial ground cover, maybe perennial peanut, cowpea, or Mexican sunflower, to help improve the soil.
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| Chicken Tractor construction with reclaimed farm stuff! Cost: $0 |
3) Electric Vehicle
I have wanted one for so long. I live in an area of Southern farmers and horse farms; everyone has a big truck, usually diesel. My idea is not popular. I am excited though. I want nothing to do with the clutch of having to use fossil fuels and I feel a weight on my shoulders and my heart aches when I think about the wars fought and the people hurt because of the demand for these resources. I strive to live a life free of that mess. I actually transferred from Nova Southeastern University to USF where I studied Conflict Resolution. So much of the conflict around the world stems from oil, and we all fund a part of it every time we push down on the accelerator. I have been looking at electric cars for a few years now. I recently found one I would like and I applied for a small loan for it. I should hear back from my credit union very soon. Once I get one, I would like to eventually charge it with solar panels.
This Harvard Science and International Affairs policy brief has some clear information on the link between oil/fuel and conflict and why oil is the number one cause of war:
"Oil fuels international conflict through eight distinct mechanisms:
(1) resource wars, in which states try to acquire oil reserves by force;
(2) petro-aggression, whereby oil insulates aggressive leaders such as Saddam Hussein or Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini from domestic opposition, and therefore makes them more willing to engage in risky foreign policy adventurism;
(3) the externalization of civil wars in oil-producing states ("petrostates");
(4) financing for insurgencies—for instance, Iran funneling oil money to Hezbollah;
(5) conflicts triggered by the prospect of oil-market domination, such as the United States' war with Iraq over Kuwait in 1991;
(6) clashes over control of oil transit routes, such as shipping lanes and pipelines;
(7) oil-related grievances, whereby the presence of foreign workers in petrostates helps extremist groups such as al-Qaida recruit locals; and
(8) oil-related obstacles to multilateral cooperation, such as when an importer's attempt to curry favor with a petrostate prevents multilateral cooperation on security issues. These mechanisms can contribute to conflict individually or in combination." (Colgan, 2013)
I have wanted one for so long. I live in an area of Southern farmers and horse farms; everyone has a big truck, usually diesel. My idea is not popular. I am excited though. I want nothing to do with the clutch of having to use fossil fuels and I feel a weight on my shoulders and my heart aches when I think about the wars fought and the people hurt because of the demand for these resources. I strive to live a life free of that mess. I actually transferred from Nova Southeastern University to USF where I studied Conflict Resolution. So much of the conflict around the world stems from oil, and we all fund a part of it every time we push down on the accelerator. I have been looking at electric cars for a few years now. I recently found one I would like and I applied for a small loan for it. I should hear back from my credit union very soon. Once I get one, I would like to eventually charge it with solar panels.
This Harvard Science and International Affairs policy brief has some clear information on the link between oil/fuel and conflict and why oil is the number one cause of war:
"Oil fuels international conflict through eight distinct mechanisms:
(1) resource wars, in which states try to acquire oil reserves by force;
(2) petro-aggression, whereby oil insulates aggressive leaders such as Saddam Hussein or Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini from domestic opposition, and therefore makes them more willing to engage in risky foreign policy adventurism;
(3) the externalization of civil wars in oil-producing states ("petrostates");
(4) financing for insurgencies—for instance, Iran funneling oil money to Hezbollah;
(5) conflicts triggered by the prospect of oil-market domination, such as the United States' war with Iraq over Kuwait in 1991;
(6) clashes over control of oil transit routes, such as shipping lanes and pipelines;
(7) oil-related grievances, whereby the presence of foreign workers in petrostates helps extremist groups such as al-Qaida recruit locals; and
(8) oil-related obstacles to multilateral cooperation, such as when an importer's attempt to curry favor with a petrostate prevents multilateral cooperation on security issues. These mechanisms can contribute to conflict individually or in combination." (Colgan, 2013)
Another benefit is to EV cars is that there are no emissions so they are not harmful to the environment.What does being the Nexus mean to you? How do you tend to it? And what are your actions on the journey? I would love to hear from you and inspire each other as we go!
Citation:
J. D. Colgan (2013) Oil, conflict, and u.s. national interests. Harvard Kennedy School. Retrieved on May 22, 2019 from https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/oil-conflict-and-us-national-interests
J. D. Colgan (2013) Oil, conflict, and u.s. national interests. Harvard Kennedy School. Retrieved on May 22, 2019 from https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/oil-conflict-and-us-national-interests
Very good comments and thank you for sharing. Please keep them coming! While there is no doubt oil fuels some conflict in the ways listed above, they are usually not the singular source or reason for the conflict. I concur that oil funds proxy forces (ISIS, Al Qaeda, Iranian Threat Network). However, these leaders will use any resource or dive into any illicit activity (drugs and money laundering to name a few) in order to fuel their hegemonic goals. We have to use full spectrum DIME to combat ITN but reducing our oil consumption will not reduce the chances of conflict. OK...your comments about an electric car. I have an F350 Diesel truck (everyone who has land needs a truck :) and a Ford Fusion Hybrid Plug-in. It is a great car and you should look into a hybrid. You will also get a $4000-$7000 tax CREDIT! Great incentive. In the next few years we will transition to full electric. We purchased 35 acres in Colorado and will eventually move out there my goal is to perfect my ability to grow hydroponic vegetables. If you have any knowledge on hydroponics your advice would be certainly be welcomed! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteExciting journey you are on!
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