Summit Info

About the Summit

The EnergyWaterFoodClimateNexus, a new science enterprise is designed to expand the research frontier for discoveries that integrate systems-based research and education for solutions to the vexing challenges in our environment. Florida A&M University’s School of the Environment is convening these series of global summits to recruit and train a new generation of leaders ready to solve the challenges of the environment and to promote cross-cutting discussion, scholarship, and collaboration among researchers, students, and entrepreneurs to advance a science, policy, and decision-making. Most importantly, the summit creates a platform for global discussions that allow participants to present innovative ideas for sustainable solutions. Moreover, the nexus of Energy, Water, Food, and Climate present new opportunities to advance a science-based enterprise, aiming at sustainable solutions for safe water, sustainable energy, food security, and climate resilience. The extraction, production and use of (energy, water, and food systems) and the overarching impact of climate are inextricably linked in an interdependent system that sustains life on our planet.


These summits and the accompanying research efforts presents a pathway for solutions: a space for international thought leaders to collaborate and exchange new ideas. I invite you to join us as we recruit and train a new generation of leaders ready to tackle these complex environmental challenges of our time.


Victor Ibeanusi, Ph.D.

Dh.c. (Honoris causa) Dean School of the Environment Florida A&M University

Nine Thematic Tracks

Water Quality

Achieving water quality in environmental science is about monitoring, maintaining, and improving the health of water bodies. This process involves assessing and managing pollutants, ensuring safe drinking water, protecting aquatic ecosystems, and sustaining water resources for future generations. Scientists use various methods, such as water sampling, chemical analysis, and biological assessments, to monitor water quality. They also employ technologies like remote sensing and GIS for comprehensive watershed management. Key challenges include addressing sources of pollution, such as industrial discharge and agricultural runoff, and adapting to impacts from climate change. Effective water quality management is crucial for public health, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.


Zero GHG Emission

Achieving zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a crucial goal in the fight against climate change. It involves eliminating or offsetting all human-made emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) to effectively reduce the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere. This objective can be pursued through various strategies, including transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, implementing carbon capture and storage technologies, and adopting sustainable land use and agricultural practices.

Food Security

Achieving environmental food security is a multifaceted challenge that demands a comprehensive approach considering the intricate inter play between ecosystems, climate, and human well-being. It involves prioritizing sustainable practices that promote soil health, reduce chemical inputs, and minimize habitat disruption.  Simultaneously, efforts must be directed towards mitigating the environmental impacts of food production, such as greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and biodiversity loss.

Microbial Systems and Bioinformatics

Achieving breakthroughs in microbial systems and bioinformatics research is pivotal for unlocking the vast potential of microorganisms in various fields, including healthcare, agriculture, and environmental remediation. This research area involves leveraging advanced computational techniques, data analytics, and genetic engineering to better understand microbial ecosystems, their interactions, and their genetic makeup. By deciphering microbial genomes and metabolic pathways, bioinformatics aids in designing tailored interventions for improved bioprocessing, the development of novel antibiotics, and bioremediation strategies.

Achieving Soil Carbon Goals

Achieving soil and carbon goals in environmental management involves implementing sustainable practices, such as soil restoration, afforestation, and reduced carbon emissions, to improve soil health and sequester carbon within natural ecosystems. Research has shown that these practices can lead to enhanced soil fertility, increased carbon sequestration, and a substantial reduction in overall carbon emissions, contributing significantly to efforts to mitigate climate change.

AI-Driven Circular Economy

Achieving an AI-driven circular economy represents a transformative approach to sustainability and resource management. This paradigm leverages artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to optimize the use, recycling, and repurposing of materials and products within a closed-loop system. AI-driven solutions can enhance the efficiency of resource allocation, waste reduction, and product design, facilitating the transition from a linear "take-make-dispose" economy to a circular one that minimizes environmental impacts.

Harnessing Big Data

Archiving big data in environmental science is an essential step towards understanding and addressing global environmental challenges. By systematically collecting, storing, and analyzing vast datasets related to Earth's ecosystems, climate patterns, and human impacts, scientists can gain invaluable insights into environmental processes. This comprehensive approach is crucial for modeling climate change, assessing biodiversity, monitoring pollution, and managing natural resources effectively. Utilizing advanced tools like remote sensing, GIS, and machine learning, environmental scientists can uncover patterns and trends that inform sustainable practices and policy decisions. This data-centric method is pivotal for predicting future environmental conditions, fostering sustainable resource management, and formulating responsive environmental policies, thereby contributing significantly to the preservation and restoration of our planet's health.

Climate Resilient Agriculture

Achieving climate-resilient agriculture is a critical research and development goal in the face of climate change. This endeavor involves implementing a suite of adaptive strategies and innovative technologies that empower farmers to mitigate and adapt to shifting weather patterns and extreme events. Key research areas include developing climate-resilient crop varieties, improving water management and irrigation systems, enhancing soil health through sustainable agricultural practices, and fostering early warning systems and climate information services to inform decision-making.

Let a New Science
Enterprise Lead the Way

Letting a new science enterprise lead the way embodies the spirit of innovation and pioneering in the realm of scientific research and technological advancement. We aim to create an organization that stands at the forefront of exploring unexplored scientific territories, harnessing the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, cutting-edge technologies, and groundbreaking methodologies. Our mission is to not only solve existing scientific challenges but also to proactively address the future complexities of global issues, especially in critical areas such as environmental conservation, healthcare advancements, space research, and digital innovation. This enterprise is committed to setting new benchmarks in scientific inquiry and application, fostering a culture where creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving thrive. Through this approach, we anticipate significantly advancing our understanding of the world and enhancing the quality of life globally, ushering in a new era of scientific achievement and societal impact.

Location & Venue


DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

More information coming soon!


About the Founder

Victor Ibeanusi, Ph.D.

Professor Victor Ibeanusi, Ph.D., Dh.C (Honoris Causa)

Founder and Director, EnergyWaterFoodNexus International Summits

Dean School of the Environment
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

In the face of the challenges set by global climate change that is impacting access to safe water, procurement of sustainable energy, and food security, there is only one path ahead, a transformative innovation built on open science with integration of novel applications and new technologies. The particular processes and applications of this path would allow a truly disruptive and accelerated transformation to sustainable development. Dr. Ibeanusi, Florida A&M University-Dean School of the Environment, is leading and advancing the EnergyWaterFoodNexus (EWFN) as a new science enterprise addressing this vexing global challenge. Dr. Ibeanusi is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of EnergyWaterFoodNexus.

In 2019, Dr. Ibeanusi received a Dh.c (Honoris causa) from the University of Miskolc, Hungary. He is a recipient of the Fulbright Specialist Program in Germany and a Senior Fulbright Fellow designed to support curricular and institutional planning at academic institutions. Dr. Ibeanusi is  one of the six pioneering recipients of the AT&T Foundation Industrial Ecology Fellow, a program that seeks to eliminate or reduce environmental impacts at every stage of a product’s life cycle- from design, to manufacture, to use, to disposal or re-use.

Dr. Ibeanusi’ s training includes those at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems (SPAWAR), San Diego CA; Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site at Aiken, SC; Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Lab; United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) National Exposure Research Lab, Athens GA; USEPA’s Superfund and Land Chemical Divisions, Chicago; and the Research Triangle Park, NC. Dr. Ibeanusi holds a Ph.D. degree in Environmental Microbiology.

Contact Us

Registration Questions

Rosny Jean, Ph.D.
Registration Services
rosny.jean@famu.edu


Speaker Related Questions  | Partnership Opportunities

Victor Ibeanusi, Ph.D., Dh.c. (Honoris causa)
Summit Chair
victor.Ibeanusi@famu.edu


EWFN  Awardee | Partner | Technology Showcase Logistical Questions

Satyanarayan Dev, Ph.D.
Project Manager and Exhibit Services Coordinators
satyanarayan.dev@famu.edu


Summit Logistical Questions

& Technical Services

Ms. Mbali Mkhize
Mbali@mut.ac.za