SWR Hub

Sustainable Water Resources (quantity, quality, economics) in the face of a changing food and energy landscape. Access to water resources is highly variable and dependent upon a multitude of factors including climate, socio-economic considerations, politics, and infrastructure. Globally, agriculture and food production for a continually growing human population is a major stressor on water resources. Energy can be coupled to these agricultural systems (e.g., through biofuel production) or the demands of the global supply chain network. Decisions related to policy and economic investment are highly coupled to perceptions and available information. All of the challenges are amplified by changes in climate and weather patterns. The sustainable water resources hub seeks to tackle these inter-connected concerns to contribute resilient water solutions in a changing world.

Hub co-leads: Matt Schrenk, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Elizabeth Mack, Department of Geography, the Environment, and Spatial Science.

Spartans Making A Difference: Fruit trees, sewer bots, and solar farms

This week's articles by MSU faculty, specialists and students making a difference feature AI-powered orchard mapping, soft robotics for pipe inspection, and sustainable solar development.

Spartans Making A Difference: Microbes, machines, and the future of your food

This week’s articles by MSU faculty, specialists and students making a difference feature foodborne pathogen behavior and precision agriculture tools that detect crop disease risks.

New MSU research shows how some agriculture practices impact food safety, health

In essence, sustainable agriculture involves farming in a way to protect the environment, aid and expand natural resources, and make the best use of nonrenewable resources. But how does sustainable agriculture affect food safety, and thereby, public health?

MSU research: Warming lakes and rivers may spread fish pathogens

Michigan’s rivers and lakes were once cold enough that fish were protected from some infection-causing parasites. As the Great Lakes ecosystem warms, a Michigan State University researcher is investigating new pathogens that may become relevant to the fish that live here.

MSU researchers to explore climate change solutions based on Indigenous knowledge in new NSF grant

The team from MSU will map the current and future costs of energy transition on the health, well-being, and livelihoods of traditional peoples while identifying Indigenous innovations and actions that enhance food-water-energy security for these regions.

Open field with river running through it.

MSU Water Alliance Addresses the Circular Water Economy

A global initiative led by Dr. Matt Schrenk and key faculty at MSU is forming to revolutionize water sustainability in small and rural communities, addressing the complex water-food-energy nexus through a circular water economy with international collaboration.

OR&I

Explore Sustainable Water Resources Stories

Read More News & Stories