RAND Research on Food, Energy, and Water Security

  • The "Dos Amigos" pumping plant pushes water up hill on the San Luis Canal, part of the California Aqueduct system; Los Banos, central California, photo by Sundry Photography/Getty Images

    Journal Article

    Developing Key Indicators for Adaptive Water Planning

    Current state-of-the-art approaches to water planning make it difficult for agencies like the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to craft flexible plans to guide resource allocation. Using a method called robust decision-making (RDM), researchers put for forth methods to develop robust and adaptive plans in the face of uncertain future conditions.

    Jul 11, 2023

  • Tornado Damage in Haversham Close in Virginia Beach, Virginia from April 30, 2023. Photo by / NWS Storm Survey Photos

    Tool

    Mid-Atlantic Regional Climate Impacts Summary and Outlook: Spring 2023

    This climate summary aims to inform Mid-Atlantic policymakers and practitioners about weather patterns for spring 2023, regional climate trends, and the upcoming summer season.

    Jun 29, 2023

  • Flooding in Northumberland, Virginia, on June 11, 2021. Photo by National Weather Service

    Tool

    Developing Future Projected Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) Curves: Technical Report

    To support stormwater managers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Virginia in adapting to climate change, this study updated intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves, a common tool used for stormwater infrastructure design, to reflect future climate changes.

    Jul 9, 2021

  • The Hoover Dam on the Colorado River on the border of Arizona and Nevada, photo by stryjek / Adobe Stock

    Tool

    Water Planning for the Uncertain Future

    Recent climatic shifts likely will continue to affect water resources management in significant but uncertain ways. This tool provides information about decisionmaking under deep uncertainty methods—specifically, Robust Decision Making—through five case studies.

    Mar 8, 2021

  • Flooding in Pittsburgh, photo by Artem S/Getty Images

    Research Brief

    Green Infrastructure Can Help Manage Rainfall in an Urban Watershed

    Urbanization, inadequate investment in aging infrastructure, and more-frequent heavy rainfall events due to climate change have led to sewer overflows, flooding, and reduced water quality in U.S. cities. The challenges of increasing volumes of stormwater can be addressed by a mix of solutions.

    Oct 29, 2020

  • Traffic barriers with a sign reading "Road Closed High Water" on the roadside near Washington Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA. Photo by Jordan Fischbach / RAND Corporation

    Report

    Managing Heavy Rainfall with Green Infrastructure

    Urban stormwater management is a growing challenge in many U.S. cities. An evaluation of Pittsburgh's Negley Run watershed, an urgent flood-risk challenge, shows investment in green stormwater infrastructure could reduce flooding and provide net positive economic benefits.

    Oct 26, 2020

  • Japanese Ground Self Defense Force soldiers assigned to 1st Battle Helicopter Unit, conduct shut down procedures at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., on Nov. 17, 2021. Photo by Capt. Kyle Abraham / U.S. Army

    Report

    Alternatives for Reducing Army Installation Utility Bills While Enhancing Installation Readiness

    Many Army installations are facing significant and increasing monthly costs in their utility accounts for energy and water services. Researchers identified options for reducing installation utility costs in three main areas: reducing commodity payments; finding alternative funding sources for energy and water system investments; and leveraging nontraditional partnerships.

    Jun 18, 2020

  • An urban green roof for stormwater management. Photo by RonTech2000 / Getty Images

    Journal Article

    Climate-Resilient Planning for Urban Stormwater and Wastewater Utilities

    This workshop brought together leaders from 15 major metropolitan water utilities in the United States and Canada and other experts to exchange and discuss current practices, lessons learned, and new ideas for developing actionable rainfall projections and incorporating climate-informed stormwater flows into planning processes.

    Mar 5, 2020

  • Journal Article

    National Trends in Food Insecurity and Congregation-Based Food Provision

    Congregation-based food provision is helping to meet the needs of food-insecure households, however research suggests congregations and non-profits are not an adequate substitute for federally funded programs.

    Oct 15, 2019

  • Laborers walk on a bridge near the 450-megawatt hydropower project at Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River which flows from Indian Kashmir into Pakistan, October 10, 2008, photo by Amit Gupta/Reuters

    Report

    India and Pakistan Could Better Manage Shared Air and Water Resources

    Infrastructure development along shared water resources and air pollution from agricultural burning are heightening tensions between India and Pakistan. But these issues should be seen as an opportunity for cooperation to improve health and well-being.

    Oct 9, 2019

  • Tool

    Developing a Robust Water Strategy for Monterrey, Mexico: Planning Support Tool

    This interactive tool demonstrates the data and analysis developed in support of Fondo de Agua Metropolitano de Monterrey's Monterrey Water Plan for 2050.

    Aug 9, 2019

  • Report

    Developing a Robust Water Strategy for Monterrey, Mexico

    Mexico's third-largest metropolitan area, Monterrey, faces future water security challenges as the region grows. Analysis of long-term trends and vulnerabilities in water management shows a robust, adaptive water management strategy can meet current and future needs.

    Aug 9, 2019

  • MNF-S forces defend Panama Canal during PANAMAX exercise, photo by TSgt Heather Redman/DVIDS

    Report

    Valuing Air Force Electric Power Resilience

    How well do current Air Force processes evaluate power resilience investments? A proposed framework identifies cost- and performance-related information in a clear manner that facilitates decisionmaking.

    Jun 3, 2019

  • An aerial view of Lima, Peru. Photo by antorti / Getty Images

    Journal Article

    Preparing for Future Droughts in Lima, Peru

    A rapidly growing population and expanding city will likely increase demand for water in Lima, Peru. This study evaluates the city's current drought management plan against future droughts and proposes augmentations.

    May 17, 2019

  • An aerial view of the Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona. Photo by Jupiterimages / Getty Imges

    Journal Article

    Robust Decision Making: Application to Water Planning and Climate Policy

    Long-term water planning is increasingly challenging, and there are also large uncertainties faced by policymakers addressing global climate change. Methods for Decision Making under Deep Uncertainty (DMDU) can be useful for addressing long-term policy challenges.

    Apr 10, 2019

  • An aerial view of the San Francisco Bay delta, photo by Andrei / Adobe Stock

    Report

    Decision Support Tool for the San Francisco Bay-Delta Levees Investment Strategy

    The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta faces complex and varied flood risks. Possible investments to mitigate these risks are numerous, and they will affect Delta risks differently. The decision support tool aided the Delta Stewardship Council in developing a Delta Levees Investment Strategy.

    Mar 7, 2019

  • A screen capture from the Decision Support Tool for the San Francisco Bay-Delta Levee Investment Strategy

    Tool

    Decision Support Tool for the San Francisco Bay-Delta Levee Investment Strategy

    The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta plays a key role in the California water distribution system, but also faces complex and varied flood risks. The risk modeling and decision support tool informed the formulation of a Delta Levees Investment Strategy to mitigate risks.

    Mar 7, 2019

  • Storm drain putflow, stormwater, water drainage, waste water or effluent

    Draft

    Estimating Future Water Demand for San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District

    Water resources management is becoming increasingly challenging in Southern California. The San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District’s first step in a comprehensive evaluation to assess its demand projections. This evaluation may be of interest to water agencies in other locations addressing the impacts of drought, population growth, and climate uncertainty.

    Dec 28, 2018

  • Dried herbs, flowers and spices at the spice souq in Dubai, UAE

    Journal Article

    Food Security in the Gulf Cooperation Council

    Domestic food production is an ongoing challenge for the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. These countries are largely dependent on food imports and are subject to a number of potential disruptions. What strategies have they taken to increase domestic food production or facilitate access to imports?

    Nov 28, 2018

  • A Palestinian woman drags a cart loaded with water containers after filling them from a public tap in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, February 28, 2017

    Report

    How to Solve the Water Crisis in Gaza

    Gaza has long had water and sanitation challenges, but today it's in a state of emergency. The crisis could be resolved through greater investment in water and power infrastructure as well as more water or electricity purchases. But political complications and other barriers remain.

    Sep 26, 2018

  • Ducklings and a swan gather on a sandbank in the Jamaica Bay neighborhood of New York City

    Report

    Building Resilience in an Urban Coastal Environment

    What are the potential effects of climate change and sea level rise on flood risk, ecosystems, and water quality in New York City's Jamaica Bay? How can flood risk be reduced while also improving water quality, restoring habitat, and improving resilience to extreme weather events?

    Jul 31, 2018

  • Aerial view of Miami, Florida

    Report

    Adapting to a Changing Climate in Southeast Florida

    Florida's Miami-Dade and Broward counties are vulnerable to flooding and intrusion of saltwater into drinking water. These risks are driven by sea level rise, changes in precipitation, and urban development. Alum David Groves (cohort '01) and colleagues ask, how can the region adapt?

    Jun 6, 2018

  • Water tank in M'bwetu Village, Malawai

    Journal Article

    Examining the Food-Energy-Water and Conflict Nexus

    Student Michele Abbott (cohort '14) used the Pardee RAND Food-Energy-Water (FEW) Index to identify a positive, significant correlation between FEW security and political stability, and reviewed the evidence for how each of these three types of resource insecurities affects political and social stability.

    Jan 31, 2018

  • Power plant operations at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska

    Report

    Air Force Installation Energy Assurance

    Air Force mission success is increasingly dependent on assured access to electricity. A number of factors can interrupt supply of electric power, including natural disasters, accidents, and deliberate interference. Researchers present a framework to assess energy assurance at Air Force installations.

    Nov 6, 2017

  • Multimedia

    Federal Research and Development for Agricultural Biodefense

    An overview of testimony by Daniel Gerstein presented before the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Subcommittee on Research and Technology on November 2, 2017.

    Nov 2, 2017