![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.glob3science.polimi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/eft270218-fig-0001-m-1-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>Rethinking Urban Spaces to Improve Nutrition Security Through Urban Agriculture<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nArianna Tolazzi,\u00a0Nikolas Galli,\u00a0Dirce Maria Lobo Marchioni,\u00a0Maria Cristina Rulli, Earth’s Future<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow can cities boost access to healthy and sustainable food by growing it within their own boundaries?
In this study, we explore how soil-based urban agriculture can help close the nutrition gap toward healthier diets.
By balancing land availability, crop yields, and water needs, we find that urban gardens could meet the dietary requirements of up to 13\u201321% of urban residents \u2014 highlighting the potential of growing food in cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.glob3science.polimi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/second-breakfast-I-9UWmkfViU-unsplash-1-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nWater-saving driven crop reallocation reduces irrigation energy demand in the mediterranean<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDavide Danilo Chiarelli, Harsh Nanesha, Martina Sardo, Athanasios Ragkos, Maria Cristina Rulli, Global food security<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow can we make agriculture in the Mediterranean more sustainable while saving both water and energy? To answer this question ,we explore how water-savings driven crop reallocation can significantly improve resource efficiency. The findings show that it can cut irrigation water by up to 80%, energy demand by 85%, and CO\u2082 emissions by 84%, all without reducing the current food production.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.glob3science.polimi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/view2-1024x547.png\")
<\/figure>\nMeeting the EAT-Lancet \u2018healthy\u2019 diet target while protecting land and water resources<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMaria Cristina Rulli, Martina Sardo, Livia Ricciardi, Camilla Govoni, Nikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Adam M. Komarek, Paolo D’Odorico, Nature Sustainability<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nCan the EAT-Lancet diet sustainably feed the world? We explored how the EAT-Lancet diet could sustainably feed the global population, while also protecting essential resources like land and water.
By optimizing crop allocation and adjusting trade flows, we found that irrigation water use could drop by 78% and cultivated land by up to 40%, all while supporting a global shift towards a healthier diet.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.glob3science.polimi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/wrcr26858-fig-0004-m-1024x722.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nA Blue Water Scarcity-Based Method for Hydrologically Sustainable Agricultural Expansion Design<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Livia Ricciardi, Maria Cristina Rulli, Water Resources Research<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow can we prevent waterscarcity not only from happening, but also from propagating downstream? We have found a way to do it, by rewinding the propagation chain of water scarcity. In this study, we simulate water scarcity before and after agricultural expansion, and gradually reduce the expansion to find the areas where it can be hydrologically sustainable.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.glob3science.polimi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/natwat.png\")
<\/figure>\nExploring the water\u2013food nexus reveals the interlinkages with urban human conflicts in Central America<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMartina Sardo, Ilenia Epifani, Paolo D’Odorico, Nikolas Galli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Nature Water<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nExtreme water events have been shown to affect human security in many ways. For the first time, in our study we explicitly consider food security as a central mechanism in the chain linking drought-induced water shortage and conflict. We also analyze how the internal food trade can influence the level of food security from food-producing areas to food-consuming areas, such as cities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.glob3science.polimi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/forests-2-1024x497.png\")
<\/figure>\nHydrological implications of large-scale afforestation in tropical biomes for climate change mitigation<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLivia Ricciardi, Paolo D’Odorico, Nikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nRising interest in large-scale afforestation for climate change mitigation has motivated research efforts aiming at the identification of suitable areas for planting trees. An often-overlooked aspect of agroforestry projects is their impact on water resources. We find that planting trees will substantially increase water scarcity and possible dispossession (green water grab) especially in dryland regions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.glob3science.polimi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/41893_2022_936_Fig1_HTML-992x1024.webp\")
<\/figure>\nSocio-hydrological features of armed conflicts in the Lake Chad Basin<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNikolas Galli, Jampel Dell’Angelo, Ilenia Epifani, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Nature Sustainability<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nPopular conceptions of \u2018water wars\u2019 can lead to fears that water scarcity and water demand invariably lead to conflict over water resources. We examine a range of biophysical factors interconnecting with the socio-political context of the Lake Chad region of Africa and find that water does not lead directly to armed conflict but that it can increase complex tensions to prolong or escalate violence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
How can cities boost access to healthy and sustainable food by growing it within their own boundaries?
In this study, we explore how soil-based urban agriculture can help close the nutrition gap toward healthier diets.
By balancing land availability, crop yields, and water needs, we find that urban gardens could meet the dietary requirements of up to 13\u201321% of urban residents \u2014 highlighting the potential of growing food in cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>Water-saving driven crop reallocation reduces irrigation energy demand in the mediterranean<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDavide Danilo Chiarelli, Harsh Nanesha, Martina Sardo, Athanasios Ragkos, Maria Cristina Rulli, Global food security<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow can we make agriculture in the Mediterranean more sustainable while saving both water and energy? To answer this question ,we explore how water-savings driven crop reallocation can significantly improve resource efficiency. The findings show that it can cut irrigation water by up to 80%, energy demand by 85%, and CO\u2082 emissions by 84%, all without reducing the current food production.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nMeeting the EAT-Lancet \u2018healthy\u2019 diet target while protecting land and water resources<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMaria Cristina Rulli, Martina Sardo, Livia Ricciardi, Camilla Govoni, Nikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Adam M. Komarek, Paolo D’Odorico, Nature Sustainability<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nCan the EAT-Lancet diet sustainably feed the world? We explored how the EAT-Lancet diet could sustainably feed the global population, while also protecting essential resources like land and water.
By optimizing crop allocation and adjusting trade flows, we found that irrigation water use could drop by 78% and cultivated land by up to 40%, all while supporting a global shift towards a healthier diet.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nA Blue Water Scarcity-Based Method for Hydrologically Sustainable Agricultural Expansion Design<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Livia Ricciardi, Maria Cristina Rulli, Water Resources Research<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow can we prevent waterscarcity not only from happening, but also from propagating downstream? We have found a way to do it, by rewinding the propagation chain of water scarcity. In this study, we simulate water scarcity before and after agricultural expansion, and gradually reduce the expansion to find the areas where it can be hydrologically sustainable.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nExploring the water\u2013food nexus reveals the interlinkages with urban human conflicts in Central America<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMartina Sardo, Ilenia Epifani, Paolo D’Odorico, Nikolas Galli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Nature Water<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nExtreme water events have been shown to affect human security in many ways. For the first time, in our study we explicitly consider food security as a central mechanism in the chain linking drought-induced water shortage and conflict. We also analyze how the internal food trade can influence the level of food security from food-producing areas to food-consuming areas, such as cities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nHydrological implications of large-scale afforestation in tropical biomes for climate change mitigation<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLivia Ricciardi, Paolo D’Odorico, Nikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nRising interest in large-scale afforestation for climate change mitigation has motivated research efforts aiming at the identification of suitable areas for planting trees. An often-overlooked aspect of agroforestry projects is their impact on water resources. We find that planting trees will substantially increase water scarcity and possible dispossession (green water grab) especially in dryland regions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nSocio-hydrological features of armed conflicts in the Lake Chad Basin<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNikolas Galli, Jampel Dell’Angelo, Ilenia Epifani, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Nature Sustainability<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nPopular conceptions of \u2018water wars\u2019 can lead to fears that water scarcity and water demand invariably lead to conflict over water resources. We examine a range of biophysical factors interconnecting with the socio-political context of the Lake Chad region of Africa and find that water does not lead directly to armed conflict but that it can increase complex tensions to prolong or escalate violence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
How can we make agriculture in the Mediterranean more sustainable while saving both water and energy? To answer this question ,we explore how water-savings driven crop reallocation can significantly improve resource efficiency. The findings show that it can cut irrigation water by up to 80%, energy demand by 85%, and CO\u2082 emissions by 84%, all without reducing the current food production.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>Meeting the EAT-Lancet \u2018healthy\u2019 diet target while protecting land and water resources<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMaria Cristina Rulli, Martina Sardo, Livia Ricciardi, Camilla Govoni, Nikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Adam M. Komarek, Paolo D’Odorico, Nature Sustainability<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nCan the EAT-Lancet diet sustainably feed the world? We explored how the EAT-Lancet diet could sustainably feed the global population, while also protecting essential resources like land and water.
By optimizing crop allocation and adjusting trade flows, we found that irrigation water use could drop by 78% and cultivated land by up to 40%, all while supporting a global shift towards a healthier diet.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nA Blue Water Scarcity-Based Method for Hydrologically Sustainable Agricultural Expansion Design<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Livia Ricciardi, Maria Cristina Rulli, Water Resources Research<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow can we prevent waterscarcity not only from happening, but also from propagating downstream? We have found a way to do it, by rewinding the propagation chain of water scarcity. In this study, we simulate water scarcity before and after agricultural expansion, and gradually reduce the expansion to find the areas where it can be hydrologically sustainable.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nExploring the water\u2013food nexus reveals the interlinkages with urban human conflicts in Central America<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMartina Sardo, Ilenia Epifani, Paolo D’Odorico, Nikolas Galli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Nature Water<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nExtreme water events have been shown to affect human security in many ways. For the first time, in our study we explicitly consider food security as a central mechanism in the chain linking drought-induced water shortage and conflict. We also analyze how the internal food trade can influence the level of food security from food-producing areas to food-consuming areas, such as cities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nHydrological implications of large-scale afforestation in tropical biomes for climate change mitigation<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLivia Ricciardi, Paolo D’Odorico, Nikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nRising interest in large-scale afforestation for climate change mitigation has motivated research efforts aiming at the identification of suitable areas for planting trees. An often-overlooked aspect of agroforestry projects is their impact on water resources. We find that planting trees will substantially increase water scarcity and possible dispossession (green water grab) especially in dryland regions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nSocio-hydrological features of armed conflicts in the Lake Chad Basin<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNikolas Galli, Jampel Dell’Angelo, Ilenia Epifani, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Nature Sustainability<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nPopular conceptions of \u2018water wars\u2019 can lead to fears that water scarcity and water demand invariably lead to conflict over water resources. We examine a range of biophysical factors interconnecting with the socio-political context of the Lake Chad region of Africa and find that water does not lead directly to armed conflict but that it can increase complex tensions to prolong or escalate violence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Can the EAT-Lancet diet sustainably feed the world? We explored how the EAT-Lancet diet could sustainably feed the global population, while also protecting essential resources like land and water.
By optimizing crop allocation and adjusting trade flows, we found that irrigation water use could drop by 78% and cultivated land by up to 40%, all while supporting a global shift towards a healthier diet.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>A Blue Water Scarcity-Based Method for Hydrologically Sustainable Agricultural Expansion Design<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Livia Ricciardi, Maria Cristina Rulli, Water Resources Research<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow can we prevent waterscarcity not only from happening, but also from propagating downstream? We have found a way to do it, by rewinding the propagation chain of water scarcity. In this study, we simulate water scarcity before and after agricultural expansion, and gradually reduce the expansion to find the areas where it can be hydrologically sustainable.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nExploring the water\u2013food nexus reveals the interlinkages with urban human conflicts in Central America<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMartina Sardo, Ilenia Epifani, Paolo D’Odorico, Nikolas Galli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Nature Water<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nExtreme water events have been shown to affect human security in many ways. For the first time, in our study we explicitly consider food security as a central mechanism in the chain linking drought-induced water shortage and conflict. We also analyze how the internal food trade can influence the level of food security from food-producing areas to food-consuming areas, such as cities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nHydrological implications of large-scale afforestation in tropical biomes for climate change mitigation<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLivia Ricciardi, Paolo D’Odorico, Nikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nRising interest in large-scale afforestation for climate change mitigation has motivated research efforts aiming at the identification of suitable areas for planting trees. An often-overlooked aspect of agroforestry projects is their impact on water resources. We find that planting trees will substantially increase water scarcity and possible dispossession (green water grab) especially in dryland regions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nSocio-hydrological features of armed conflicts in the Lake Chad Basin<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNikolas Galli, Jampel Dell’Angelo, Ilenia Epifani, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Nature Sustainability<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nPopular conceptions of \u2018water wars\u2019 can lead to fears that water scarcity and water demand invariably lead to conflict over water resources. We examine a range of biophysical factors interconnecting with the socio-political context of the Lake Chad region of Africa and find that water does not lead directly to armed conflict but that it can increase complex tensions to prolong or escalate violence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
How can we prevent waterscarcity not only from happening, but also from propagating downstream? We have found a way to do it, by rewinding the propagation chain of water scarcity. In this study, we simulate water scarcity before and after agricultural expansion, and gradually reduce the expansion to find the areas where it can be hydrologically sustainable.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>Exploring the water\u2013food nexus reveals the interlinkages with urban human conflicts in Central America<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMartina Sardo, Ilenia Epifani, Paolo D’Odorico, Nikolas Galli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Nature Water<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nExtreme water events have been shown to affect human security in many ways. For the first time, in our study we explicitly consider food security as a central mechanism in the chain linking drought-induced water shortage and conflict. We also analyze how the internal food trade can influence the level of food security from food-producing areas to food-consuming areas, such as cities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nHydrological implications of large-scale afforestation in tropical biomes for climate change mitigation<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLivia Ricciardi, Paolo D’Odorico, Nikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nRising interest in large-scale afforestation for climate change mitigation has motivated research efforts aiming at the identification of suitable areas for planting trees. An often-overlooked aspect of agroforestry projects is their impact on water resources. We find that planting trees will substantially increase water scarcity and possible dispossession (green water grab) especially in dryland regions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nSocio-hydrological features of armed conflicts in the Lake Chad Basin<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNikolas Galli, Jampel Dell’Angelo, Ilenia Epifani, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Nature Sustainability<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nPopular conceptions of \u2018water wars\u2019 can lead to fears that water scarcity and water demand invariably lead to conflict over water resources. We examine a range of biophysical factors interconnecting with the socio-political context of the Lake Chad region of Africa and find that water does not lead directly to armed conflict but that it can increase complex tensions to prolong or escalate violence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Extreme water events have been shown to affect human security in many ways. For the first time, in our study we explicitly consider food security as a central mechanism in the chain linking drought-induced water shortage and conflict. We also analyze how the internal food trade can influence the level of food security from food-producing areas to food-consuming areas, such as cities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>Hydrological implications of large-scale afforestation in tropical biomes for climate change mitigation<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLivia Ricciardi, Paolo D’Odorico, Nikolas Galli, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nRising interest in large-scale afforestation for climate change mitigation has motivated research efforts aiming at the identification of suitable areas for planting trees. An often-overlooked aspect of agroforestry projects is their impact on water resources. We find that planting trees will substantially increase water scarcity and possible dispossession (green water grab) especially in dryland regions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\nSocio-hydrological features of armed conflicts in the Lake Chad Basin<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNikolas Galli, Jampel Dell’Angelo, Ilenia Epifani, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Nature Sustainability<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nPopular conceptions of \u2018water wars\u2019 can lead to fears that water scarcity and water demand invariably lead to conflict over water resources. We examine a range of biophysical factors interconnecting with the socio-political context of the Lake Chad region of Africa and find that water does not lead directly to armed conflict but that it can increase complex tensions to prolong or escalate violence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Rising interest in large-scale afforestation for climate change mitigation has motivated research efforts aiming at the identification of suitable areas for planting trees. An often-overlooked aspect of agroforestry projects is their impact on water resources. We find that planting trees will substantially increase water scarcity and possible dispossession (green water grab) especially in dryland regions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>Socio-hydrological features of armed conflicts in the Lake Chad Basin<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNikolas Galli, Jampel Dell’Angelo, Ilenia Epifani, Davide Danilo Chiarelli, Maria Cristina Rulli, Nature Sustainability<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nPopular conceptions of \u2018water wars\u2019 can lead to fears that water scarcity and water demand invariably lead to conflict over water resources. We examine a range of biophysical factors interconnecting with the socio-political context of the Lake Chad region of Africa and find that water does not lead directly to armed conflict but that it can increase complex tensions to prolong or escalate violence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Popular conceptions of \u2018water wars\u2019 can lead to fears that water scarcity and water demand invariably lead to conflict over water resources. We examine a range of biophysical factors interconnecting with the socio-political context of the Lake Chad region of Africa and find that water does not lead directly to armed conflict but that it can increase complex tensions to prolong or escalate violence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.glob3science.polimi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/41467_2022_28077_Fig2_HTML-1024x677.webp\")
<\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.glob3science.polimi.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/1-s2.0-S0309170821001421-gr1.jpg\")
<\/figure>