Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems (INFEWS)
Synopsis
Humanity depends upon the Earth's physical resources and natural systems for food, energy, and water (FEW). However, both the physical resources and the FEW systems are under increasing stress. It is becoming imperative that we determine how society can best integrate social, ecological, physical and built environments to provide for growing demand for food, energy and water in the short term while also maintaining appropriate ecosystem services for the future. Known stressors in FEW systems include governance challenges, population growth and migration, land use change, climate variability, and uneven resource distribution. The interconnections and interdependencies associated with the FEW Nexus pose research grand challenges. To meet these grand challenges, there is a critical need for research that enables new means of adapting societal use of FEW systems.
Program Contacts
- Thomas Torgersen: ttorgers@nsf.gov, 703-292-4738
- James W. Jones: jwjones@nsf.gov, (703) 292-4458
- Deborah Winslow: dwinslow@nsf.gov, (703) 292-7315
- Rachel Melnick: rmelnick@nifa.usda.gov, 202-401-4980
- Lara Campbell: lcampbel@nsf.gov, 703-292-7049
- Timothy VanReken: tvanreke@nsf.gov, (703) 292-7378
Organization(s)
- Directorate for Geosciences (GEO)
- Directorate for Engineering (ENG)
- Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)
- Office of International Science and Engineering (OD/OISE)
- Integrative Activities (OIA/IA)