Our Focus

One of the world’s most urgent challenges is finding ways to sustain society while adapting to climate change and evolving needs for energy, fresh water and other resources.

These problems are of particular concern in Western New York. Our region is surrounded by natural beauty and resources, including two Great Lakes, but we also have a legacy of industrial contamination at sites such as Love Canal.

With a global focus and regional connection, RENEW addresses social, scientific, public health and economic concerns related to water, energy and the environment.

As a major public research university, UB is committed to addressing regional and global environmental challenges through enduring scholarship and intellectual innovation.

RENEW’s research addresses a variety of prominent issues, including:

• Renewable energy 
• Freshwater protection and restoration
• Ecosystem science, engineering and policy
• Societal adaptation to changing environments and the green economy
• Public health and Law
• Environmental management and governance
• Energy-Water Nexus
• Energy-Environment-Water Nexus

Our interdisciplinary focus — involving the faculties of the School of Architecture and Planning, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Law School, School of Management and School of Public Health and Health Professions — is designed to foster new collaborations and produce new ideas.