AS AN AVID GARDENER AND FISHERMAN, nature has always been an important part of my life. Every year I look forward to spring and summer so I can venture outdoors to do some backyard
gardening or enjoy the beauty of a secluded trout stream. Protecting our natural resources is no easy task in today’s world, but at the University of Minnesota, we’ve made it a priority.
The University has a long history of environmental research that dates back several decades. We can all be proud that the University of Minnesota was ‘green’ long before it became fashionable. In more recent years, the University has taken some bold steps into the environmental
arena.
In 2004, the University was among the first members of the Chicago Climate Exchange, and remains the largest
public research university to join. Members agreed to reduce emissions by 1 percent per year by 2006; the University of Minnesota achieved a 38.6 percent reduction
during that timeframe. In addition, the University operates an award-winning fleet of more than 100 flex-fuel, biofuel, and hybrid vehicles. It is one of the largest users of E85 in the state, and the U’s central steam plant burns biomass and oat hulls.
We are also among the nation’s leaders in alternative
energy research. The University’s Initiative for Renewable
Energy and the Environment has a $20 million portfolio that gathers experienced world-class scholars to develop innovative energy solutions.
In fall 2006, the University created the Institute on the Environment to coordinate the breadth and depth of environmental resources at the University. The goal is to make it easier for researchers to share knowledge with each other and the public. The Institute represents an innovative model for problem-driven environmental research, stakeholder engagement, and real-world solutions.
Three Institute of Technology faculty members are among the founding fellows.
Earlier this year, the Institute of Technology established
an endowed faculty chair in Environmental Engineering thanks to a generous gift from the Ling
family. This endowment will support outstanding
faculty within the Institute of Technology involved in engineering research and education.
Today, concerns about our natural world influence every aspect of our lives. This is clearly evident in our cover story “Environmental Impact.” The story highlights
the research of four Institute of Technology faculty who are finding innovative ways to restore river deltas, ensure a clean water supply, predict the effects of precipitation, and develop environment-friendly plastics. At the U, scientists and engineers work side-by-side to develop solutions to some of our world’s greatest environmental problems.
Students also have unique opportunities to get involved
in ground-breaking environmental research. In the story “Empowered by the Sun,” we showcase two U of M student groups—one building a solar-powered car and another building a solar-powered house.
That spirit of innovation is also evident in other stories in this issue. The story “Millennials Making their Mark” shines the spotlight on four young alumni
who are putting what they learned at the University
to work in the professional world.
In the story “A Gathering Place for Great Minds,” we take a look back at 20 years of theoretical physics at the University. The work of theoretical physicists has laid the groundwork for many of the technological
advances in our everyday lives.
What all these stories have in common is a passion
by Institute of Technology faculty, students, and alumni to solve problems and make our world a better
place. The next step is up to all of us. We need to make living ‘green’ the new global gold standard.
