The Role of Dams on Water, Food, and Energy Security Issues: A Global Review and Resolution for Indonesia

Increased water, food, and energy demand due to population growth has contributed linearly to the increasing focus of world concern on dams in many countries. Lately, dams have become an important issue in sustainable water resources management, which have been used for various purposes such as flood control, industrial water supply, irrigation, fisheries, recreation, navigation, hydroelectricity, and other purposes. This study aims to analyze the relationships between variables related to the world's water, food and energy issues, including dams. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the significance of interrelated relationships between variables of water consumption, energy consumption, irrigated areas and the number of dams based on period 1960-2010 data. The results of the analysis concluded that water consumption had the most significant effect on energy consumption and the number of dams. Meanwhile, the number of dams has a significant impact on water consumption, followed by energy consumption. As a resolution for Indonesia, which currently focuses on food and energy security issues, this study recommends that the construction of dams (including large dams) be accelerated.