History
The Center for Sustainable Systems is an evolution of the National Pollution Prevention Center for Higher Education (NPPC), which was created in 1991 by a US EPA competitive grant between 28 colleges and universities. NPPC's primary mission was to collect, develop, and disseminate educational materials on pollution prevention. Click here to watch the NPPC Overview video [11:51 minutes].
In 1997 the Center's scope was broadened to focus on systems analysis and sustainability. The new name, Center for Sustainable Systems, reflected the shift in focus. Research became the primary activity, with education and outreach continuing as key goals.
Besides the growing library of research reports, journal articles and conference proceedings, our most popular publications are the Factsheets, that examine current trends of a particular system, such as Personal Transportation or Residential Buildings. Much of the research underpinning these resources is based on a methodology called Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a way of modeling the inputs and outputs (of materials, energy, desired product, and undesired pollution) of a system.
The Center continues to grow as it passes the 30-year milestone at the University of Michigan. More students are becoming involved through paid fellowships, Master's projects, internships, visiting scholars and volunteers.
Important Moments in CSS's History
2021 - 30th anniversary of the Center.
2020 - CSS leads carbon accounting for President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality (PCCN).
2020 - Michael Craig and Parth Vaishnav appointed as Assistant Professors.
2019 - Drew Gronewold appointed as Associate Professor.
2017 - School of Natural Resources & Environment (SNRE) becomes School for Environment & Sustainability (SEAS).
2016 - 25th anniversary of the Center.
2016 - Tony Reames appointed as Assistant Professor and Geoff Lewis as Research Area Specialist Lead.
2015 - Ming Xu appointed as Editor-in-Chief of Resources, Conservation & Recycling.
2014 - Jeremiah Johnson appointed as Assistant Professor; Jose Alfaro as Assistant Professor of Practice.
2012 - CSS sponsors Sustainability Without Borders student group.
2011 - Peter M. Wege & Jonathan W. Bulkley Fellowship in Sustainable Systems is endowed.
2011 - Jonathan W. Bulkley Collegiate Professor in Sustainable Systems is endowed.
2011 - Peter M. Wege Lecture on Sustainability is endowed.
2011 - Jonathan Bulkley, co-director of CSS, retires after 43 years of teaching.
2010 - Four new SNRE faculty join CSS: Jarod Kelly, Shelie Miller, Josh Newell & Ming Xu.
2008 - His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama gives 'Earth Day Reflections' talk to 8,000 in Crisler Arena.
2007 - Engineering Sustainable Systems (ESS) dual Master's degree program with the College of Engineering and SNRE is launched.
2006 - Michigan at a Climate Crossroads report presents the impacts of ten strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the Michigan State Legislature and Office of the Governor.
2005 - SNRE Sustainable Systems Master's degree field of study opens for fall enrollment.
2005 - Alcoa Foundation Conservation and Sustainability Fellowship program supports six post-docs researching Enabling Technology for a Sustainable Energy Future.
2004 - Provost recognizes CSS as a permanent University Center.
2003 - CSS hosts the biennial meeting of the International Society for Industrial Ecology (ISIE).
2003 - National Science Foundation (NSF) awards CSS $1.7 million for study of sustainable concrete infrastructure (MUSES project).
2002 - A prototype University of Michigan sustainability report is released by the Center.
2001 - The first annual Peter M. Wege Lecture on Sustainability is inaugurated by CSS.
2000 - The Wege Foundation pledges $1.5 million to endow Peter M. Wege Chair of Sustainable Systems.
1999 - The graduate certificate Program in Industrial Ecology (PIE) is established under CSS guidance.
1999 - The Wege Foundation pledges $1.8 million in support of the CSS endowment.
1997 - External advisory board approves transition from National Pollution Prevention Center (NPPC) to Center for Sustainable Systems (CSS).
1994 - The EPA awards $0.5 million to NPPC for the development and demonstration of the Life Cycle Design Methodology.
1992 - The NPPC external advisory board holds its first meeting.
1992 - NPPC releases its first of 16 compendia (topic based collections of bibliographies, syllabi and case studies) on pollution prevention.
1991 - An EPA grant establishes the National Pollution Prevention Center (NPPC) at the University of Michigan.
