Communication and Integration within the Agriculture Water, Waste, and Energy Industries

摘要

The special area of interest lies in the possible benefits of integrating and coordinating the activities of the agriculture, water, waste and energy (AWWE) sectors, where large cash and energy savings seem possible. The integration of the AWWE sectors is a specific example, but the comments and methods suggested are general in their application to complex problem-solving areas. A general method is described which, compared with conventional research, makes the collection of information on potential integration and coordination of any complex activities much easier. It also makes it more likely that the information is relevant and correct but, above all, the method ensures that any useful results of the research will be brought to the attention of relevant policy makers, with therefore a better chance that such results will be acted upon. Lateral access networks are proposed as a general means of achieving these practical benefits.