Building a sustainable world is intrinsic to the Michigan Tech strategic plan, which incorporates the goal of integrating sustainability into all our endeavors. Thus, a consideration of the long-term effects of our activities on human and environmental health must be incorporated into research and education efforts throughout the campus. Developing a sustainable society is a multi-dimensional challenge requiring shared talents drawn from many disciplines. Within the College of Sciences and Arts the Humanities and Social Sciences departments address the ethical, philosophical, and policy aspects of designing a sustainable society. The Department of Biological Sciences provides fundamental knowledge on the functioning of ecosystems and organisms, which is essential to preserving natural environments in a human-dominated world. Meeting our needs for energy now and into the future without compromising the health of the planet requires innovative basic research in Chemistry and Physics .

Similarly, green Chemistry aims to meet our material needs while minimizing our impact on the environment.

Green Chemistry differs from previous approaches to many environmental issues. Rather than using regulatory restrictions, it unleashes the creativity and innovation of our scientists and engineers in designing and discovering the next generation of chemicals and materials so that they provide increased performance and increased value while meeting all goals to protect and enhance human health and the environment.

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