Mapping barriers to food, energy, and water systems equity in the United States

Barriers to affordable, accessible, high-quality food, energy, and water systems (FEWS) harm social equity. Connections within and across FEWS suggest that co-occurring barriers to equity can compound vulnerability. We hypothesized that barriers to FEW resources are strongly associated with geographic location, both within and across FEWS, as they rely heavily on localized sociopolitical and natural environments. This study explored the geographic relationships between FEWS barriers and social equity through a spatial analysis of census tracts within the United States. Cluster analyses showed that all FEWS barriers had a positive spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I = 0.12–0.94), with energy barriers being the most spatially clustered and affordability barriers being the least spatially clustered. In 54 % of census tracts, we observed the co-occurrence of low barriers to water quality and access. Barriers to FEWS affordability almost always co-occurred in parallel (e.g., high barriers to affordability in one system co-occurred with high barriers to affordability in another system). Finally, we developed a spatial index of the barriers to FEWS equity to determine vulnerability at the census tract scale, which had a positive spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I = 0.41). Clusters and intersections of FEWS equity barriers suggest that resources are interconnected, resulting in additional challenges for people living in these areas. The maps of barriers to equity in FEWS are useful tools that could help stakeholders (e.g., federal agencies, city planners, utilities) distribute FEWS resources fairly and begin engagement with communities about FEWS barriers in their local context. • Barriers to food, energy, water system (FEWS) resources impede equity. • Barriers to FEWS resources were evaluated at the US census tract scale. • All barriers to equitable FEWS resources were spatially clustered. • Barriers to FEWS affordability often co-occurred, enhancing vulnerabilities. • A US FEWS Equity Barrier Index was developed to support effective decision-making.