Power generation is not enough

In an earlier post, we presented an argument proposing that food crisis events would grow faster than the population. The keystone of that argument was that distribution infrastructure, including the energy needed for transportation, was also under pressure. Therefore even if food supplies grow with the population, the "black swan" events would become more frequent.

The same argument can be applied to water shortages, and to energy shortages. An excellent example of the latter was this week's massive blackout in India. This was not about supply, it was about grid control and connectivity--nearly invisible parts of the infrastructure, where failures have enormous ramifications.

Infrastructure investments bring no immediate reward to the policy makers who fund them. They are largely invisible to the political base. In addition, the very complexity of the infrastructure can daunt even those who are willing to fund improvements.

Instead, political will and a long-term thirst for prosperity must be the drivers of improvement. A superb example is Singapore's progress toward a robust water system, which that small country has pursued since the 1960's.

But in addition to investment, bureaucratic streamlining is often needed as well. Red tape and complexities of officialdom can block access to otherwise functional infrastructures.

Food, energy and water are not only connected to each other; they are connected to the social and economic fabric of each nation. Infrastructure failures reduce economic productivity, which then harms both government and citizen. Lower productivity means a lower tax base, restricting resources for infrastructure upgrades. And lower productivity means lower incomes, so the citizen is less able to save against times of shortage, and more vulnerable to resource variability.

UPDATE: here is additional information on the Indian blackout, which  happened because food, energy and water are really one thing . Water generates electricity; electricity is used to pump water; no water, no food.