The Global Water Forum has selected three submissions on the themes of water security, water economics and transboundary water governance to receive cash prizes in its Emerging Scholars Award, which encourages water scholars and practitioners under 36 years of age to publish their research, projects or opinions for the general public.
22 October 2012: The Global Water Forum (GWF) has selected three winners of its Emerging Scholars Award, from among 800 papers submitted on this year’s themes of water security, water economics and transboundary water governance.
Edward Spang of the University of California, Davis, Christos Makridis of Stanford University and Adam Abramson of Ben Gurion University of the Negev received first, second and third prizes respectively. Australian National University (ANU) water researchers Professor Quentin Grafton, Jamie Pittock and Daniel Connell judged the submissions.
Edward Spang of The Center for Water-Energy Efficiency (CWEE) at the University of California, Davis, took first prize with his paper “A thirst for power: A global analysis of water consumption for energy production,” on the water requirements of energy systems and the implications for national water security. Spang highlights that water demand for cooling thermoelectric power plants is almost on par with water withdrawals for irrigating crops in the US, and that the division between agricultural and energy-based demands for water is no longer distinct, due to increasing cultivation of irrigated crops for biofuels. He argues that governments should incorporate water consumption implications into energy portfolio planning, based on a clear understanding of the water implications of particular energy policy initiatives.
Christos Makridis of Stanford University and the North American Center for Tranborder Study, US, investigates the possibility of water banks as an innovative market mechanism for promoting sound water governance. Adam Abramson of Ben Gurion University of the Negev outlines the prospects for a transition towards more productive rural water service improvements.
The GWF Emerging Scholars Award invites water scholars and practitioners who are under 36 years of age to publish their research, projects or opinions for the general public, with the opportunity to win cash prizes. The top ten finalists are offered the opportunity to publish their work on the GWF site and in the GWF discussion paper series.
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair in Water Economics and Transboundary Water Governance Global Water Forum established the GWF in 2010 to disseminate knowledge and insights from leading water researchers and practitioners. [GWF Webpage] [GWF Award Webpage] [Spang’s Paper] [Makridis’ Paper] [Abramson’s Paper]