• Some Issues
• Going Green
• The Multidisciplinary Nature of the U-M Environmental Initiative
• The Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute
• Institutes, Centers, Research Programs and Initiatives

Some Issues

Putting a human face on statistics is particularly poignant when talking about the environmental. For example…

Water pollution kills 2.2 million people each year - that's the equivalent of wiping out the population of Toronto every 365 days. About 4.6 million people - nearly enough to populate Los Angeles and Detroit - die each year from causes directly attributable to air pollution.

The land for grazing and producing feed for livestock - cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry - uses 30 percent of the land surface of the planet. Livestock consume more food than they yield and compete directly with humans for water. Plus, livestock are responsible for about 18 percent of the global warming effect - more than transportation's contribution - due to methane (from bovine digestion) and nitrogen (emitted by manure).

Yet, the world's population continues to rise - if current trends continue, the number will increase from its current 6.4 billion to 7.9 billion in 2025, and 9.3 billion in 2050. So there will be less water to drink and less clean air to breathe, but more competition for these resources as well as for food.

Steve Forrest, William Gould Dow Collegiate Professor of Electrical Engineering and University of Michigan vice president for research, said that it's "hard to think of issues of higher importance than the environment, since the emissions of carbon dioxide via the burning of fossil fuels are having a profound, negative and long-lasting effect on the climate of our planet."

Forrest

Global and national efforts to develop and promote environmentally friendly technologies for energy, water management, agriculture and transportation will help to address these issues and steer the world along a path to environmental, economic and social sustainability, all of which are connected.

One popular definition of sustainability is that of former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, who said that it's a method of "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Brundtland's definition addresses the need for continuity of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human society, as well as the non-human environment.

Going Green

Munson

The development of green technologies will stretch minds and carry a considerable price tag - but, in the long run, going green will translate into cost savings.

Buildings have a huge environmental, economic and psychological impact. The 76 million residential and five million commercial buildings in the United States alone consume 65 percent of the nation's electricity, 37 percent of its energy, 25 percent of its water supplies and 30 percent of its wood and materials. Likewise, buildings account for 35 percent of the nation's solid waste, 36 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, 46 percent of sulfur dioxide emissions, 19 percent of nitrous oxide emissions and 10 percent of fine particulate emissions.

The figure for energy alone is startling - those 81 million structures consume more energy than any other economic category, including transportation and industry. Almost half of that energy goes into heating and cooling.

However, green buildings in America use about 30 percent less energy than comparable conventional buildings. So those who invest in "building green" can recover their money fairly quickly. Studies also show that the use of natural daylight in office buildings not only reduces energy costs but also seems to increase workers' productivity - in general, green workplaces boost employees' productivity by as much as 15 percent a year. In shopping malls with skylights, sales increase as much as 40 percent. Students in naturally lit classrooms perform up to 20 percent better. And according to Stephen Kaplan, a professor of environmental psychology at the University of Michigan, environment "shapes a person's development over a lifetime by providing safety, diversity, refuges from noise and distraction, and access to nature. This access to nature plays a central role in recovery from mental fatigue. Even a few trees viewed from a window have repeatedly been shown to have remarkably strong effects."

In response, the University's engineers and architects have been researching new ways to make buildings green.

Professor Douglas Kelbaugh, dean of the A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, said that improvements "have come in many forms - better insulation, windows and construction materials, for example. Architects are also realizing that the size, location and positioning of a building affects how much energy it uses and, ultimately, its impact on the environment. The configuration and density of the built environment is equally important as urban design and planning determine the pattern and mode of our transportation systems, which consume almost as much energy as buildings.

"The University has a history of cultivating green initiatives in which engineering and architecture and urban planning - and seemingly disparate disciplines, such as business, public health, public policy, law, and natural resources and the environment - come together with the single objective of addressing sustainability studies."

Dave Munson, Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering, agreed, saying the combination of "several efforts in sustainability - the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute, the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise and additional programs at the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, along with our deep emphasis on energy science, technology and policy through the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute - give the University of Michigan an exciting and integrated approach to understanding the linkages between human activity and environmental change. I know of no other institution that can bring so many disciplines together to make such a comprehensive impact in this huge and inherently interdisciplinary area of study."

These and other units throughout the University have undertaken a monumental effort to address the many-sided problems associated with creating a sustainable environment. (See "Institutes, Centers, Research Programs and Initiatives" on page 24).

The Multidisciplinary Nature of the U-M Environmental Initiative

Dana Building

Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute

Rendering of Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Cloister at University of Michigan Law School

Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Michigan Engineering's contributions to the Environmental Initiative focus on energy, fresh water, sustainable infrastructures and manufacturing, and climate change.

The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts is involved in a broad range of studies that contribute to the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute. These studies include bio-diversity, geological history of change, impacts of chemistry on energy and pollution, and the study of human interaction with the environment.

The School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE), which began as the Department of Forestry, marked its 100th anniversary in 2003. SNRE Dean Rosina Bierbaum said that the school "evolved as conservation and sustainability became global issues. Today, it confronts a broad spectrum of environmental challenges ranging from adaptation to climate change, environmental justice, landscape design, restoration of the Great Lakes, improved energy systems and land management."

The Stephen M. Ross School of Business, in partnership with the Frederick A. and Barbara M. Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, and the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute, is working to understand and communicate the complex, interconnected dynamics of economic production and consumption in relation to the environment.

Ted Parson, a professor in the University of Michigan Law School and the School of Natural Resources and Environment, said that this is "an exciting initiative for the Law School, as it is for the whole University. Practical solutions to complex and high-stakes environmental issues will often be implemented through laws and regulations, but these can only work if they are informed by multiple relevant areas of natural and social sciences, technology, business and other areas of public policy."

The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy satisfies an important need in the overall environmental initiative, examining the role of government and policy relative to achieving environmental sustainability. Whereas public policy is often overlooked in scientific discussions, GESI realizes its necessity in a complete approach to environmental sustainability.

The A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning designs and studies sustainable architecture and urban planning that enhance a sustainable future. One notable example is the work done in collaboration with the Surdna Foundation to address four areas of environmental development: biological diversity and the human communities that depend on it, the realignment of human and natural systems, transportation and urban/suburban land use, and energy.

A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, and the School of Art and Design

The School of Public Health conducts research into the impact of the environment on human health, infectious disease transmission and prevention - all of which is vital to GESI and its environmental mission.

The Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute

Brian Talbot is the David B. Hermelin Professor of Business Administration, a professor of Operations and Management Science in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and the Interim Director of the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute. He said that Michigan Engineering alumnus Donald C. Graham "initiated a study in February 2004 that led to the establishment of the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute (GESI). He selected the University of Michigan to host GESI because of the University's strength in the many disciplines that had to work together to formulate a complete sustainability package - he knew that it would take more than engineering and science. The effort would require contributions from public policy, business, law and other disciplines."

GESI Research Initiatives
The Graham Institute has recognized six areas of research in which theoretical and applied knowledge are critical to reaching the goal of environmental sustainability:

• Energy
• Freshwater and marine resources
• Human health and environment
• Biodiversity and global change
• Sustainable infrastructure, built environment and manufacturing
• Environmental policymaking and human behavior

Each year, about six incentive awards will be presented to multidisciplinary teams at an average level of $70,000 per year for two years, with a maximum of $100,000/year. Faculty will use these awards to prepare major collaborative grant applications.

The Collaborative Research Office will promote joint efforts among faculty members through: (1) annual forums to share research ideas and develop new collaborative contacts; (2) enhanced faculty awareness of external funding opportunities; and (3) development of effective relationships with external agencies and industry to enhance U-M research support.

Forestry students in 1912 gather on the Diag in front of the West Medical Building (later to become the Dana Building and home of the School of Natural Resources and Environment [SNRE]. ) Don Graham, founder of The Graham Group, traces his involvement in sustainability to his father, Sam Graham, a professor in the School of Forestry and Conservation - the predecessor of today's SNRE. (Photo courtesy Bentley Historical Library)

GESI Academic Initiatives

Multidisciplinary Program Center - uses a web database to coordinate access to educational programs in environmental sustainability across campus.

Graduate Fellowship Program - confers six two-year awards each year at $25K per student.

Enhanced Program in the Environment - increases interest in the environmental initiative across the U-M campus, including involvement of the University's technical community. The program also sponsors at least five field-study internships each year and supports development of one new undergraduate course every two years. Graduate Development Program - supports the development of at least one new graduate course every two years. It also co-sponsors degree programs for new combined graduate degrees emphasizing specific issues in environmental sustainability.

GESI Outreach Initiatives

GESI is in the process of developing an outreach program that will be initiated shortly after the implementation of the Institute's research and education activities - probably late in 2007.

The goal of the Institute's outreach program is to increase awareness of U-M's capabilities in environmental research and education and to demonstrate the University's involvement and contribution to the global community at large. Michigan's museums, field stations and laboratories will be integral elements of outreach activities.

Currently, GESI is considering a number of outreach avenues:

• A website that features U-M's environ- mental stewardship and campus sustainability programs.
• Collaboration among U-M schools and colleges to leverage present - and develop new - educational programs for K-12 teachers and students. GESI will also explore ways in which to interconnect non-governmental organizations and U-M museums and field stations.
• Community or company sustainability projects that involve U-M faculty and student interns in cooperative research projects.
• Information workshops and media access that will enhance U-M's leadership by pro- viding easier access to renowned faculty in the field of environmental sustainability. GESI is considering workshops that provide environment-related science-based information a variety of audiences, including policy makers, regional planners and the community at large.

Don Graham

Don Graham (BSE IE '55, MSE ME '56), founder of The Graham Group, traces his involvement in sustainability to his father, Sam Graham, a professor in the U-M School of Forestry and Conservation - the predecessor of today's School of Natural Resources and Environment.

Don Graham

Don recognized his business school electives provided him with the skills to develop sustainability enterprises - a realization that led him to become an active supporter of a diverse and substantial number of projects dealing with cultural, environmental and community issues. He has supported and served on boards and committees at several academic institutions. He has funded endowed chairs and co-funded the Graham Endowment Fund in Manufacturing to recruit top students to theTauber Institute for Global Operations.

Graham is a member of the University of Michigan President's Advisory Group, the College's Progress & Promise: 150th Anniversary Campaign committee, and - along with his wife, Ingrid (BS DES '57) - is an honorary co-chair of The Michigan Difference campaign.

Learn More About the Environment

• Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute
  http://www.provost.umich.edu/gesi
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  http://www.epa.gov
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Kids
  http://www.epa.gov/kids
• One Planet Living
  http://www.oneplanetliving.org
• U.S. Youth Network for Sustainable Development
  http://www.sustainus.org
• Climate Change and Global Warming
  http://climatechange.110mb.com
• EcoEarth.Info - Sustainable Development Gateway
  http://www.ecoearth.info
• The Environment Directory
  http://www.webdirectory.com
• abetterearth.org
  http://www.abetterearth.org

Institutes, Centers, Research Programs and Initiatives

The University of Michigan offers a number of non-departmental opportunities for collaborative and interdisciplinary research, education and advocacy of environmental sustainability.

Institutes

The Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute - creates opportunities and encourages collaboration among science, policy, engineering and business faculty to extend the knowledge of, and offer solutions to, complex environmental sustainability issues.

The William Davidson Institute - provides a forum for business leaders and public policy makers to discuss issues affecting business enterprise and public policies in transition and emerging market economies. The objective of the Institute's edu­cational and research programs is to develop knowledge and expertise that helps improve the effectiveness of firms and social welfare in these economies.

Frederick A. and Barbara M. Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise - creates and disseminates information about global sustainable enterprise, which explores how organizations throughout the world can achieve long-term success by creating harmony among economic, environmental and social interests.

Cooperative Institute for Limnology and Ecosystems Research - conducts research that focuses on climate and large-lake dynamics, coastal and near-shore processes, large-lake ecosystem structure and function, remote sensing of large-lake and coastal ocean dynamics, and marine environmental engineering.

Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute - creates a focal point for energy-related education and four research thrusts: energy policy, econ­omics and societal impact; carbon-neutral electricity sources; energy storage and utilization; transportation and fuels.

Centers

Center for Sustainable Systems - develops lifecycle-based models and sustainability metrics to evaluate the performance and to guide the continuous improvement of industrial systems for meeting societal needs.

Center for the Study of Complex Systems - performs interdisciplinary analysis using mathematical modeling to study environments that exhibit heterogeneous makeup, dynamic change, feedback and hierarchy organization.

Center for Local, State and Urban Policy - conducts research on state and local issues of importance to policy makers. These might include, for example, education and local public finance; economic development; environmental protection and land use.

Center for Advancing Research and Solutions for Society - nurtures an innovative forum involving academic experts, business leaders, the media and policy makers from around the world seeking new knowledge and potential solutions for society's most pressing problems.

Center for Biologic Nanotechnology - conducts studies of nanomaterials and bio-inspired nanostructures for biological and medical applications, and for applications in the environment in general.

Center for Risk Science and Communication - promotes informed decision-making about health risks through analytical methods and effective communication.

Population Studies Center - conducts interdisciplinary research in the areas of health, disability and mortality; human capital, labor and wealth; aging and population dynamics.

Research Programs

Michigan Sea Grant - conducts a joint program between U-M and Michigan State University to fund research and educational undertakings that relate to Great Lakes resource management.

Spatial Land Use Change and Ecological Effects at the Rural-Urban Interface - conducts studies of individual decision-making that drives land use and policies, with the objective of developing, evaluating and applying agent-based models of changes in the use of land.

Biosphere Atmosphere Research and Training Program - provides multidisciplinary doctoral training program at the interface of biospheric and atmospheric sciences.

Sustainable Concrete Infrastructure Materials and Systems Program - conducts studies to develop an integrated lifecycle design framework that's based on environmental, societal and economic indicators.

Initiatives

Urban and Regional Research Collaborative - provides a forum for research collaborations between urban and regional planning faculty, as well as faculty from other disciplines.

Ecosystem Management Initiative - promotes sustainable management of natural resources through ecosystem-based teaching, research and outreach.

Environmental Justice Initiative - researches and develops environmental justice strategies and promotes community advocacy in support of communities that struggle with environmental justice issues.

Minority Environmental Leadership Development Initiative - aims to enhance the leadership and career development opportunities available to minority students and minority environmental professionals.

Leadership Initiative of Minority Female Environmental Faculty - aims to enhance the presence and stature of minority female faculty in American academic institutions.

U-M-Global Health Research and Training Initiative - provides a University-wide framework to strengthen and expand opportunities for innovative multidisciplinary global health research and scholarship.

Student-Run Activities

The U-M Environmental Initiative has enlisted the energy, intellect and creativity of the student population in a number of impressive undertakings:

• Alaska Coalition
• Better Living Using Engineering
• Laboratory (BLUE Lab)
• Brewing Hope
• Cultivating Community
• The Detroit Project
• Ecology Center Students in Action (ECSA)
• EnAct Environmental Action
• EnAct Recycled Notebooks
• Environmental Justice Group
• Environmental Law Society
• Environmental Policy Organization
• Global Citizenship Club
• Green Greeks
• GREENPEAS
• Michigan Animal Rights Society (MARS)
• Net Impact
• New World Ecology and Agriculture
• Planners Network
• Ross Energy Club
• School of Natural Resources and
• Environment Student Government
• Student Animal Legal
• Defense Fund (SALDF)
• Students for PIRGIM (Public Interest Research Group in Michigan)
• Transformers