Satellite Precipitation Data, the Energy-Water-Food Nexus and the Urbanized Globe

Water, food and energy are inextricably linked. All three sectors impact one or both of the others. Improving water, energy and food security on a global level can be achieved through a nexus approach that integrates management of these resources across geographies and sectors. Having the data to do this, however, is a challenge.

Dr. Marshall Shepherd, director of UGA's atmospheric sciences program and the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences, has partnered with several other researchers and universities, to investigate just how these sectors interact using NASA’s advanced satellite resources..  The newest research was featured on earthzine.org yesterday and could help support the transition to a Green Economy--one that aims for resource use efficiency--in the future.

“Through a partnership with University of Utah, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and University of Maryland, we have accepted the challenge of trying to use advanced scientific capabilities to address problems people can understand: improving global agricultural yields or maximizing availability of water,” Shepherd said.

Shepherd is a funded member of the NASA Precipitation Science team. While at NASA previously, he served as the Deputy Project Scientist for the mission. In the fall, graduate student Ansley Long, a former member of the UGA Swimming and Diving Team, will return from her MS program at the University of Utah to take this project head on for her doctoral work at UGA.

Great to continue to see great research from Dr. Shepherd in collaboration with other universities and researchers. The problem at hand is complicated, but our best researchers have stepped in to find solutions together. Kudos to you all.