International community must address challenges to food, water security in a systematic, coherent manner

"New ideas and approaches to the water and food nexus will be addressed at World Water Week," which will take place in Stockholm, Sweden from 26-31 August, Anders Jagerskog, an associate professor and director of knowledge services at the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), writes in this post in the AlertNet Blog. He highlights a report (.pdf) being launched by the institute called "Feeding a Thirsty World: Challenges and Opportunities for a Water and Food Secure Future," noting it is aimed at "provid[ing] an overview of the areas that relate to food security and water" ahead of the event.

"It will give food for thought through providing the latest knowledge on issues such as food waste, land acquisition and water, gender aspects of agriculture, early warning systems for agricultural emergencies as well as a take on water and food linkages," he writes. "Getting the question of water and food security 'right' is not simply urgent and important. It is imperative to the health and well-being of all people and the planet," he continues. "The international food and water community must begin to more consistently address the challenges that the water and food security relationship exposes in a more systematic and coherent manner," he states, concluding, "Attending and participating in World Water Week and discussing the topics above are a good start" (8/20).