Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
conversion of degraded and deserti
ed lands to restorative ecosystems, and adop-
tion of recommended management practices. In comparison with the C capture and
storage (CCS) technology in geological strata at US$600 to $800 per Mg of CO
2
(Anonymous
2012
), the biological technique of C sequestration in soils may have
negative costs because of numerous co-bene
ts such as enhancing soil quality,
increasing use ef
ciency of inputs and improving agronomic productivity
(McKinsey and Co.
2009
). However, several CCS programmes in Norway and in
the US have been cancelled or put on hold (Wald
2013
). While the US has allocated
the US DOE some $6 billion to spend on CCS-R&D since 2008, the CCS tech-
nology has not been proven to work at commercial scale in the US or elsewhere. In
addition, CCS can add another 3 % to the cost of generating electricity (Kintisch
2013
). Thus, biosequestration of C through soil-climate nexus may be a natural
x
to reducing the net anthropogenic emissions.
The use of biomass input application of organic waste, green manure and other
amendments to improve quality of soils under sugarcane production (Cheong et al.
2009
) strengthen and validate the importance of the nexus approach in addressing
complex issues. The LCA conducted throughout
the production chain is also
important and useful
to performing the GHG accounting for emission trading
(Cowie et al.
2012
).
7 Conclusions
The chapter supports the following conclusions.
Increase in anthropogenic demands has jeopardized natural resources and
exacerbated soil and environmental degradation.
The nexus approach, based on inter-connectivity among resources and the
underpinning processes, is essential to minimizing losses and maximizing use
ef
ciency.
Sustainable intensi
cation of agroecosystems involves exploring the connec-
tivity among WSW, water-energy, water-waste, soil-waste, soil-climate, and
food production-water-energy nexuses.
Because of numerous functions and ecosystem services provisioned by soil, it is
prudent to protect, restore and enhance soil resources and protect for nature
conservancy. Thus, use of soil-less culture is important
to protecting soil
resources.
In addition to meeting the food demand of the growing population, the nexus
approach is also critical to adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
Urban agriculture, including skyfarming is useful to produce food for urban
environments by utilizing and recycling waste through principles underlying the
nexus approach.
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