“Prioritizing sustainability and justice: Addressing the interdependence of Water, Food, and Energy Nexus for a just and equitable future.”
Summary
The water, food, and energy nexus refer to the interdependence of water, food, and energy systems, and how they impact each other. Climate change and increasing water scarcity have made it more urgent to adopt a strategic approach to water justice. The Koalisi Rakyat untuk Hak Atas Air (KRUHA) position emphasizes the need for a just transition to renewable energy sources that prioritize community-based solutions and address the disproportionate impacts of environmental degradation on marginalized communities.
KRUHA advocates for policies that prioritize water conservation and protection, equitable access to water and energy, and community participation in decision-making processes. In addition, socio-ecological crisis refugee, the right to food, and the threats of extractivism are key issues that intersect with water and energy justice, and KRUHA recognizes the need to prioritize the rights of victims to reparation beyond compensation.
By addressing these intersecting issues, KRUHA aims to promote a just and sustainable future that prioritizes the rights and needs of communities, ecosystems, and future generations.
Our Position
The current planetary emergency, including climate crisis and increasing water scarcity, has made it even more urgent to adopt a strategic approach to water justice. The people’s coalition for the right to water/Koalisi Rakyat untuk Hak Atas Air (KRUHA) position emphasizes the need for a just transition to renewable energy sources that prioritize community-based solutions and address the disproportionate impacts of environmental degradation on marginalized communities.
KRUHA advocates for policies that prioritize public and common water protection, equitable access to water, food and energy, and community participation in decision-making processes. By addressing the water energy nexus and adopting a water justice strategic approach, we can work towards a more sustainable and just future for all.
KRUHA also recognizes the socio-ecological crisis refugee, the right to food, and the threats of extractivism as key issues that intersect with water and energy justice.
Socio-ecological crisis refugee refers to people who are forced to flee their homes and communities due to the impact of environmental degradation, natural disasters, and climate change. The term recognizes that the impacts of these crises are not limited to a single sector or issue, but rather intersect with social, economic, and political factors to create complex and ongoing challenges for affected communities.
As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and flooding are becoming more frequent and severe, leading to displacement and migration on a global scale. In addition, environmental degradation caused by unsustainable development practices, such as deforestation, mining, and industrial agriculture, is also contributing to the displacement of communities who depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. Addressing the socio-ecological crisis refugee requires a comprehensive and holistic approach that recognizes the intersectional nature of these crises and prioritizes the rights and needs of affected communities. This includes addressing the root causes of environmental degradation and climate change, promoting sustainable development practices, and prioritizing the voices and participation of affected communities in decision-making processes.
The right to food is another critical aspect of water and energy justice, as food production and distribution rely heavily on these resources. KRUHA advocates for policies that promote agroecology and sustainable agriculture, prioritize food sovereignty and security, and address the impacts of climate change on food production.
The threats of extractive economy, such as mining and deforestation, have significant impacts on water and energy systems, as well as on local communities and ecosystems. KRUHA emphasizes the need to prioritize the rights and voices of local communities in decision-making processes and to adopt policies that promote sustainable resource use and protect human rights and environmental integrity.
It is also essential to recognize and prioritize the rights of victims to reparation beyond compensation. This includes acknowledging the harm that has been caused, providing support for healing and recovery, and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. Reparation beyond compensation recognizes that monetary compensation alone is often insufficient to address the complex and ongoing impacts of environmental degradation and climate change on affected communities. It includes a range of measures such as land restitution, access to education and healthcare, support for cultural preservation, and the establishment of legal frameworks to prevent future harm. These measures prioritize the needs and rights of affected communities, rather than simply attempting to restore the status quo. They also acknowledge the role of historical and systemic inequalities in creating and exacerbating the socio-ecological crisis refugee, and work towards redressing these inequalities through transformative justice approaches.