Spencer Checkoway, a research assistant at the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) Center for Sustainable Systems (CSS) is first author of a new study, "Carbon and energy footprinting across archetypes for U.S. maple syrup production." He answered five questions about the study, its findings and the main recommendations made by the authors. The other authors of the study are SEAS Professor and CSS Co-Director Gregory Keoleian and CSS Research Specialist Geoffrey Lewis.
Research Themes
Climate change is the issue of our time, and combating the climate crisis is global society’s greatest current challenge. A number of technological, business, and policy hurdles must be overcome to ensure the future vitality of both the natural and built environments.
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Climate change and the built environment pose threats to ecosystems around the world. Interdisciplinary approaches — examining the interplay between the natural environment and human activity — can enrich conservation, restoration, and habitat management efforts going forward.
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Low-income and underserved communities are poised to bear the greatest burdens of the climate crisis. Yet those same communities are least likely to access innovations in energy and infrastructure that could save lives and livelihoods. Justice must be central to our efforts to tackle this global crisis.
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Bold, equitable public policies, innovative business practices, and disruptions and adaptations within legacy industries can all help address the climate crisis.
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An accessible, equitable, and ecologically sound food system is vital toward a sustainable world. Food systems extend beyond nutrition, and a number of actions must be taken to adequately address food’s role in climate change as well as persisting global hunger.
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Climate change and other environmental crises threaten to harm overall human health and exacerbate existing gaps in health equity. In charting the path ahead, public health professionals and sustainability researchers alike must address how our changing global climate impacts air quality, food sources and supply chains, the spread of infectious disease, mental and community health, and other dynamic processes.
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Advances in mobility, materials, and landscape architecture pose new opportunities for the world, and especially for the more than half of the global population that now resides in cities. As we face the climate crisis, new strategies for the built environment will be necessary to ensure the health of distinct communities and the natural environment.
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Water is essential to our planet. Without it, there is no life. But there are many environmental challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the continued health and safety of water resources worldwide.
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U-M faculty are on the forefront of leading research, teaching, and engagement efforts on an array of environmental topics. Researchers contribute their interests and expertise, enabling the university to serve as a nexus for ideas and far-reaching solutions.
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Working Toward Carbon Neutrality
Scalable and transferable steps to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across all three campuses, Athletics and Michigan Medicine
Track our Progress
Planet Blue
Empowering students, staff, and faculty to get involved in sustainability work on campus, at home, and in the community
Get Involved
Creating a More Sustainable U-M
Collaborating with the university community to pursue climate action, reduce waste, and ensure healthy environments
Learn more about sustainable operations on campus
Schools, Colleges, Units, and Initiatives
- College of Engineering
- College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
- Erb Institute
- Ford School of Public Policy
- Graham Sustainability Institute
- Institute for Energy Solutions
- Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
- Office of Campus Sustainability
- Office of Research
- Office of the President
- School for Environment and Sustainability
- School of Public Health
- Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
Michigan Engineering strives to anticipate the changes ahead and provide scientific and technological leadership for the common good. It is home to top-ranked departments that collaborate within the nation’s number one public research institution.
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With more than 100 degree programs in over 75 academic units, the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) is the largest of U-M’s 19 schools and colleges and is still at the heart of the university. The college is built upon the idea that a powerful, pragmatic, broad education can transform hearts and minds, can solve problems in an ever-changing world, and can yield ideas and innovation across every discipline.
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The Erb Institute — a partnership between U-M’s Ross School of Business and the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) — aspires to create a socially and environmentally sustainable world through the power of business. Erb conducts research, teaching, and business engagement; all focused on preparing and supporting bold business leaders who can adeptly transform companies, industries, and entire economies for systemic sustainability.
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The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan is a community dedicated to the public good. It inspires and prepares diverse leaders grounded in service, conducts transformational research, and collaborates on evidence-based policymaking to take on our communities' and our world's most pressing challenges.
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The Graham Sustainability Institute catalyzes and facilitates sustainability-focused collaborations involving faculty, students, and external stakeholders. Graham links knowledge to real-world impact by supporting teams spanning multiple topics, disciplines, and sectors.
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The Institute for Energy Solutions pursues energy science and technologies to enable, accelerate, and inform the transition to an equitable, resilient, clean, affordable, and sustainable energy future.
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The University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum promotes environmental enjoyment, stewardship, and sustainability through education, research and interaction with the natural world.
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The Office of Campus Sustainability coordinates sustainable campus operations and collaborates with academic and auxiliary units and student groups in pursuit of university sustainability goals. OCS tracks and reports progress across several key areas, and communicates with campus and community stakeholders.
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As the nation's largest public research university, the U-M Office of Research (UMOR) aims to catalyze, support, and safeguard U-M research.
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The threats posed by the climate crisis extend far beyond the U-M campus and community. By bringing together academics, activists, and community leaders, U-M, as a top public research university, has a distinct opportunity to help chart the path forward.
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Climate change. Population growth. Food access. Water quality. The world needs bold leaders willing to take on urgent environmental issues, now more than ever. The School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) is focusing on the future, transforming research into action to create a healthier planet for all.
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The U-M School of Public Health is pursuing a healthier, more equitable world through education, research, and action. The School of Public Health works with compassion, innovation, and inclusion to create meaningful, lasting impact.
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Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan aims to create a more beautiful, inclusive, and better environment for generations to come. Through interdisciplinary education and research, Taubman College prepares graduates for positions of responsibility within a wide spectrum of professions, organizations, and institutions that shape the built environment at scales ranging from local to global.
Learn More about Taubman College of Architecture and Urban PlanningEvents
Nov
20
CSG Fall 2024 Elections
12:00 AM
Vote in the Fall 2024 CSG Elections! Students from every school and college will have the opportunity to vote in one or more ballots on November...
Nov
20
Grant Office Hours for Student Sustainability Coalition: Planet Blue Student Innovation Fund & Social and Environmental Grants
2:00 PM
The Student Sustainability Coalition manages $200,000 worth of grant money that we allocate to student groups who are working on projects related to...
Nov
20
EAS 568 Mends-day Wednesday
3:00 PM
Don’t toss it 🚮—mend it! 🪡 Join us for Mends-Day Wednesdays on October 9 & 23 and November 6 & 20 from 3-5 PM in Room 2520. Bring your clothes and...
In The News
Small modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs, could help the U.S. meet emissions goals while also satisfying growing energy demands. Although the U.S. has not powered up an SMR yet due to some deployment challenges, cost and complexity, new research from the University of Michigan shows that they are an economically viable option. Max Vanatta, School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) doctoral student is the lead author. The other authors are SEAS Assistant Professor Michael Craig and Robb Stewart, chief technology officer of Alva Energy.
Carbon-based products are central to our economy, yet urgent action is needed to combat climate change. As part of Climate Week NYC, the Global CO2 Initiative held a discussion how carbon capture and utilization can mitigate the negative impacts of fossil fuel use, addressing the technology’s economic and social impacts, as well as its challenges.