| 1. |
- Cordell, Dana, 1979-
(author)
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Phosphorus, food and ‘messy’ problems : A systemic inquiring into the management of a critical global resource
- 2008
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In: Proceedings of the 14th ANZSYS Australia New Zealand Systems Society Conference, 1-2 December 2008, Edith Cowan UniversityMount Lawley CampusPerth, Western Australia. - 9780729806688
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper presents a process of systemic inquiry into the roles, relationships and perceptions in the management of phosphorus resources in the context of global food security. Phosphorus, like water, energy and nitrogen, is critical for food production. All modern food production and consumption systems are dependent on continual inputs of phosphate fertilizers derived from phosphate rock. Yet phosphate rock is a finite resource under the control of only a handful of countries – mainly China, Morocco and the US. Production of current global phosphate reserves could peak in 30 years, within decades of peak oil. Given this situation it is surprising that phosphorus is not considered a priority in the dominant discourses on global food security or global environmental change. Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology offers a framework to guide an inquiry or ‘learning process’ into the nature of the problem situation and system failure, incorporating results of an analysis of stakeholder interviews, a substance flows analysis and an institutional analysis. The soft systems inquiry reveals that not only is there no stakeholder consensus on the nature of the problem, there are no international institutional arrangements, much less an international organisation, responsible for monitoring and facilitating the long-term sustainability of phosphorus resources for food production. Further, without such an actor and associated institutional arrangements, there is no ‘feedback loop’ that can correct the system. Given the critical nature of phosphorus to all modern economies, this is a concerning finding and warrants further analysis, deliberation and enabling of change.
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| 2. |
- Cordell, Dana, 1979-, et al.
(author)
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Preferred future phosphorus scenarios : A framework for meeting long-term phosphorus needs for global food demand
- 2009. - 1
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In: International Conference on Nutrient Recovery from Wastewater Streams, Vancouver, 2009. - London : IWA Publishing. - 9781843392323 ; , s. 23-44
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Closing the loop for nutrients in wastewaters (municipal sewage, animal wastes, food industry, commercial and other liquid waste streams) is a necessary, sustainable development objective, to reduce resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Chemistry, engineering and process integration understanding are all developing quickly, as new processes are now coming online. A new "paradigm" is emerging, globally. Commercial marketing of recovered nutrients as "green fertilizers" or recycling of nutrients through biomass production to new outlets, such as bioenergy, is becoming more widespread.This exciting conference brings together various waste stream industries, regulators, researchers, process engineers and commercial managers, to develop a broad-based, intersectional understanding and joint projects for phosphorus and nitrogen recovery from wastewater streams, as well as reuse. Over 90 papers from over 30 different countries presented in this volume.
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| 3. |
- Cordell, Dana, 1979-, et al.
(author)
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The story of phosphorus : Global food security and food for thought
- 2009
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In: Global Environmental Change. - : Elsevier. - 0959-3780 .- 1872-9495. ; 19:2, s. 292-305
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Food production requires application of fertilizers containing phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium on agricultural fields in order to sustain crop yields. However modern agriculture is dependent on phosphorus derived from phosphate rock, which is a non-renewable resource and current global reserves may be depleted in 50–100 years. While phosphorus demand is projected to increase, the expected global peak in phosphorus production is predicted to occur around 2030. The exact timing of peak phosphorus production might be disputed, however it is widely acknowledged within the fertilizer industry that the quality of remaining phosphate rock is decreasing and production costs are increasing. Yet future access to phosphorus receives little or no international attention. This paper puts forward the case for including long-term phosphorus scarcity on the priority agenda for global food security. Opportunities for recovering phosphorus and reducing demand are also addressed together with institutional challenges.
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