Our interdisciplinary, international team develops holistic solutions that focus on all areas of the Food-Energy-Water (FEW) nexus, enhancing climate resilience and protecting global public health.
Check out a selection of photos from our Second Annual Symposium, which was held April 23-24, 2025 in the Stamp Union at UMD.
Full session videos are available on our Symposium Page.
Defining the FEW Nexus
What do we mean by food-energy-water systems?
- No food can be grown without water and energy
- Wastewater treatment requires energy and electricity generation requires vast amounts of water
- Energy should be sourced sustainably in ways that don't increase climate change
The FEW nexus approaches sustainable food production by integrating these three essential resources. We can engineer more efficient ways to irrigate crops, such as drip irrigation and rainwater capture. We can integrate renewable energy systems, such as solar arrays, biogas, and small-scale hydropower, so that food is produced with less climate impact. And we can produce a variety of nutritious food that supports public health while nurturing local ecosystems through biodiversity and permaculture forest cover.
Read more about how the FEW nexus supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals:
UN Facts on the FEW nexus
Our Research Areas
Our Alliance works at the Food-Energy-Water nexus.
Here are examples of innovative, international, cross-FEW research we're working on:
Research Areas
Announcing Our Symposium Poster Winners!
Most Innovative Energy Poster that Supports FEW Nexus Science: Adanyro Atilago, University of Maryland, College Park
Best Local Community Impact on FEW Nexus Resources: Fahmi Dwilaksono, University of Maryland, College Park
Best International/Global Study that Supports FEW Nexus Innovation: Sushobhan Bhattarai, Indiana University, Bloomington
These awards were co-presented by the Global FEWture Alliance and the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
Symposium Page
MUST Brings Water to its Campus Farm
This month, Mbeya University of Science and Technology leaped forward with developing their Campus Farm by establishing a borehole for irrigation! This solar-powered system will access groundwater using renewable energy, and enhance the FEW education potential for the next generation of East African farmers.
MUST is hosting the East Africa FEW Conference this July - find more details and register here!
MUST Ag Sciences
Biochar is Effective Water Filtration for Organic Pollutants
New research published by co-PI Allen Davis and his collaborators shows that biochar and activated carbons can be efficient adsorbents for stormwater polishing treatment. Considering a combination of efficiency, sustainability and cost, regenerated activated granular carbon is recommended for polishing treatment of dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychloronated biphenyls (PCBs).
Article in Chemosphere
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