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About Us
Today's environmental challenges can’t be solved with business-as-usual thinking. That's why the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment (IonE) is taking a new approach. We're discovering solutions to Earth's biggest problems through cutting-edge research, partnerships and leadership development.
Discovering Solutions
Our research addresses today’s grand environmental challenges, including the need to provide energy, food and freshwater to the world in sustainable and economically viable ways. Through our fellows program and research initiatives, we bring together the brightest minds from the U of M and beyond. Renowned experts are teaming up with emerging leaders in science, technology, education, policy and other areas of expertise. Together, we’re focused on solving the biggest problems of the 21st century.
Building Partnerships
Minnesota is home to some 20 Fortune 500 companies and many other players in the global economy. We have the geographic advantage of a top-ranked research university, a diverse natural landscape and a thriving business community. As part of the NorthStar Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise, the IonE is developing a consortium that mobilizes the region’s thought leaders. By pooling our resources, we’ll export Minnesota innovation to the globe while creating new opportunities
at home.
PREPARING LEADERS
Research is vital to solving global problems, but science and technology alone are not enough. That’s why we’re not just supporting scholars. We’re also training future leaders. Our leadership programs are designed to prepare the next generation of sustainability pioneers. We’re also providing support for the U of M’s Sustainability Studies Minor. Through these efforts and more, we’ll help up-and-coming leaders transfer the latest advances in science to the rest of the world.