Nexus: Water, Climate, Energy and the Environment - A Perspective on the Itataia-CE Development

Abstract

The water viability of the Uranium and Phosphate Exploration and Processing Complex in Santa Quitéria - Ceará was analyzed from the relation of the water, energy and climate nexus. In order to do so, rainfall, evapotranspiration and flow projections were carried out using the global models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5, used in the fifth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - IPCC-AR5). Data from Ceará's energy matrix were also considered in order to verify the state's increased energy demand and to analyze the impact of its production on water resources. The models differ in the future of precipitation, but most indicate an increase in evapotranspiration over the three projected periods (2015-2044, 2045-2074 and 2075-2099) in the two scenarios chosen (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) indicating a possible increase in water demand for the region.

Keywords:
water; climate; energy; climate changes; water viability