University of Maryland, College Park
Our Global FEWture: Cultivating Food-Energy-Water Solutions

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University of Maryland, College Park

Our Global FEWture: Cultivating Food-Energy-Water Solutions

Heidi Scott

Instructor: Heidi Scott

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

6 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

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Recently updated!

November 2025

Assessments

10 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

In this introductory module, UMD Public Health scientists detail the systems thinking behind the food-energy-water nexus. After a historical overview of how past societies have approached water distribution for irrigation, and details of how these resources are interdependent, the lecturers turn to our present challenges and opportunities with FEW resource provision amid ongoing and intensifying climate change.

What's included

8 videos3 assignments1 discussion prompt

This second module deepens our inquiry into how climate change is already challenging agriculture and public health in the developing world, with specific views of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, and how snow pack and glacial melt provide essential freshwater for Himalayan and downstream communities. In each case, lecturers provide views of how systems thinking in the FEW nexus helps planning for resources as their supply becomes less predictable.

What's included

4 videos2 assignments

Our third module turns to FEW nexus solutions already at work in four different global locations: Tanzania, Israel, Nepal, and the USA. Our lecturers detail the climate-related challenges in each location. They discuss ways that universities and nonprofits can work together with communities to build FEW capacity and develop education programs that train the next generation of farmers, water managers, and renewable energy experts.

What's included

5 videos2 assignments

Our final module is a detailed exploration of FEW nexus technologies and solutions of today and tomorrow. Each lecturer considers the FEW nexus as a system, where a closed loop allows the most efficient use of waste products to support more resilient foundations for providing clean water, nutritious food, and renewable energy while advancing communities' self-determination.

What's included

8 videos1 reading3 assignments1 discussion prompt

Instructor

Heidi Scott
University of Maryland, College Park
0 Courses0 learners

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¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.