“(Universities are) where bold and sustainable solutions come to life, and accordingly, it’s our responsibility to work to apply our approaches at a greater scale. That’s why the University of Michigan is taking climate action so seriously, and why we’re committed to learning from and working with the communities we serve.”
This newsletter issue features Dr. Santa J. Ono, the 15th president of the University of Michigan.
A recognized leader in higher education in the United States and Canada, President Ono is an experienced vision researcher whose pioneering work in experimental medicine focuses on the immune system and eye disease. At the University of Michigan (U-M), he is a professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences in the Medical School. He joined U-M from the University of British Columbia, where he served as president and vice chancellor since 2016. Among his many service roles, he is currently the leader of the University Climate Change Coalition. He earned his BA in biological sciences from the University of Chicago and a PhD in experimental medicine from McGill University. A beloved and well recognized figure on every campus where he has served, Dr. Ono is constantly searching for ways connect with the people he represents.
What is the role of universities in the fight to manage climate change?
Universities must be at the forefront of the fight to manage the climate crisis. Universities are societies within themselves, convening cross-disciplinary research, sizable operational footprints, and of course, motivated student, staff, faculty and alumni communities.
They also strive to fulfill missions of public service and preparing the next generation of leaders—in sustainability, public policy, business, social impact and more. They’re where bold and sustainable solutions come to life, and accordingly, it’s our responsibility to work to apply our approaches at a greater scale. That’s why the University of Michigan is taking climate action so seriously, and why we’re committed to learning from and working with the communities we serve.
Could you please describe about your plans for tangible change and investments related to carbon neutrality efforts on campus?
First and foremost, I plan to listen and learn from so many in the U-M area who care deeply about this work. Carbon neutrality efforts span so many topics—from alternative energy to vehicle electrification to innovative financing—that there are a number of ways to plug in.
