From Publishers Weekly: "For a generation that has grown up since the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring , here is timely and important information about pesticide residue in food and water. Goldstein (The Politics of Offshore Oil) examines the use of pesticides on produce and the potential health effects, reviews the changes in agriculture and the proliferation of pesticides following WW II, and discusses regulation, risk assessment and tolerance of pesticides, noting that the latter is based on adult intake (cause for alarm, as children eat more fruit than do adults). Because pesticides are tested only for their active ingredients, Goldstein argues that the inert ingredients should be tested as well; she scrutinizes the Clean Water Act and describes groundwater contamination. The final chapter of this valuable consumer handbook offers alternate approaches to pest control."

Wastewater treatment is one of the major carriers of the water-energy-food-climate (WEFC) nexus, and although the relationship between water and energy is well recognized, there is still a lack of adequate analysis of the cyber-physical framework to address and assess urban and peri-urban WEFC nexus in an integrated approach. In this review paper, we deeply analyze and summarize the modelling tools and data that are currently used to quantify the nexus in wastewater treatment. Currently, comprehensive models and tools are missing that consider the interconnections amongst catchment, sewer network, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), river and climatic system in a holistic approach and define relevant monitoring requirements and trustable information provision. Cyber-physical systems provide a technological ground for an efficient management of such integrated systems. The nexus approach in precision irrigation and smart agriculture is further discussed in the paper, highlighting the issue of water reuse and the engagement of different levels of stakeholders. Digital solutions and serious games addressing the nexus in urban and peri-urban water management are also presented to facilitate innovative practice aspects and to foster public involvement. Adaptable digital solutions can help to understand stakeholders’ perception of water quality and its governance and to improve levels of awareness and collaboration between utilities, authorities, farmers and citizens. Finally, recommendations on the added value of currently used models, tools and possible digital solutions are given to WWTP and reclamation managers and/or operators to bring the WEFC nexus approach on the operative environment.

Contaminated water and food are major causes of malnutrition and mortality in the developing world, particularly among children. Infants are most vulnerable to diarrheal illnesses when introduced to fluids and foods as they are weaned from breastfeeding to a mixed diet. There is scant literature about the role of nutrition professionals in addressing this problem. Considerable progress has been made in identifying strategies to prevent diarrhea in children. Strategies include implementing low-technology methods of sanitizing water, emphasizing the benefits of breastfeeding, protecting prepared foods from unclean environments, and educating and motivating food preparers. Resolution of water and food safety problems requires a collaborative interdisciplinary approach among health professionals and involvement of community leaders. Dietetic professionals have the training to empower individuals and communities with skills to create a safe water and food environment.

Commonalities and asynchronous experiences of realizing zero-waste of water, energy, and food resources between the world and China have critical global importance to support sustainable development, especially for Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) urban agglomeration. In this study, a comprehensive assessment framework for the zero-waste city was proposed to evaluate zero-waste construction in the world (e.g., San Francisco, New York, and Tokyo) and China (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, and GBA) from the perspective of water, energy, and food. The results showed that the zero-waste construction level of the GBA cities was weaker than that of the benchmark city and other world-class cities. The average score of the GBA cities was the lowest, 2.5% lower than the benchmark city and 11.8% lower than other world-class cities. Macao had apparent advantages in the social-economic and ecological-environment system, while the Pearl River Delta cities were considerably better than Macao and Hong Kong in the water and food systems. Future work could improve the level of zero-waste construction by learning from foreign zero-waste cities’ advanced experience, increasing efforts to promote the implementation of a circular economy, and building an all-around government sharing mechanism with public participation.