The University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems (CSS) has once again pushed the frontiers of environmental knowledge with its latest annual update of the renowned CSS Factsheets. This extensive collection, now in its 2025 edition, encompasses nearly 2,000 meticulously gathered facts and 144 striking graphics that provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding global sustainability challenges. As an integral arm of the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), CSS continues to deliver authoritative resources targeting some of the most pressing issues in the environmental and applied sciences fields.
The 2025 update features significant innovations with the introduction of two entirely new factsheets: one dedicated to the rapidly evolving domain of artificial intelligence (AI) and its intersection with sustainability, and another focusing on the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater ecosystem on the planet. These additions underscore CSS’s commitment to addressing emerging challenges and critical natural systems through data-driven insights and multifaceted analysis.
The factsheets are a culmination of rigorous research, drawing from over 1,270 credible and peer-reviewed sources. The collection spans 34 detailed documents that touch on diverse topics such as energy production and consumption, water resource management, climate change dynamics, transportation systems, and the principles of environmental justice. This wealth of information equips academics, policymakers, industry leaders, and the general public with a scientifically sound understanding essential to crafting sustainable solutions.
Among the distinguished leadership driving this initiative are co-directors Greg Keoleian and Shelie Miller, both faculty members at SEAS whose expertise in systems thinking and environmental policy has shaped the center’s vision. Keoleian, highlighting the value of integrative approaches, notes that these factsheets are more than repositories of data—they provide interconnected perspectives that illuminate pathways toward reducing negative environmental impacts across multiple sectors.
The two new factsheets added for 2025 vastly expand the scope of CSS’s work. The AI factsheet explores how advancements in machine learning and automation influence sustainability outcomes. It examines the energy demands of large-scale data centers, ethical considerations in AI deployment, and the potential for AI-driven optimization in resource management. Conversely, the Great Lakes factsheet delves into the ecological, hydrological, and economic importance of this freshwater system, detailing challenges such as invasive species, pollution, and the effects of climate variability on water quality and lake health.
The factsheets’ enduring relevance is evident from the significant public and institutional engagement. In 2024 alone, these resources were accessed more than half a million times, reflecting their status as a trusted source of objective information for journalists, educators, lawmakers, and businesses. The concise yet comprehensive nature of each document allows users to synthesize complex information quickly and accurately, fostering informed decision-making.
A noteworthy aspect of the CSS Factsheets project is the active role that graduate students at SEAS play in updating and refining content annually. This not only ensures that the factsheets remain current but also provides emerging scholars with invaluable opportunities to engage in high-impact research initiatives. Graduate student intern Christabel Akhigbe, working under the guidance of CSS lead research specialist Geoff Lewis, exemplifies this hands-on educational experience that bridges academia and real-world sustainability work.
The data compilation process involves systematic literature reviews, quantitative analyses, and graphical visualization techniques designed to enhance both the accessibility and interpretability of sustainability data. For instance, life-cycle assessments featured in the energy and water factsheets quantify cradle-to-grave environmental impacts, empowering stakeholders to evaluate alternatives from a cradle-to-cradle perspective—a cornerstone concept in sustainable design.
CSS’s commitment to free public access distinguishes the factsheets as an invaluable civic resource. Supported by investments from CSS, SEAS, and philanthropic contributions through the “Fund the Facts” campaign, the initiative reflects a strategic approach to democratizing knowledge in the sustainability arena. These funding sources ensure the continuity and expansion of the collection without financial barriers to users worldwide.
The comprehensive nature of these factsheets facilitates a nuanced understanding of interconnected systems that underpin modern society. For example, the transportation factsheet links urban planning and vehicle emissions with broader climate mitigation strategies, underscoring the holistic essence of sustainability science. Similarly, the environmental justice factsheet articulates the distributional consequences of environmental degradation and the imperative for equitable policy measures.
The annual updates integrate the latest empirical findings and evolving science, enabling adaptive strategies in response to escalating global threats such as climate change. The insightful commentary and data visualization serve as catalysts for transformative actions by communities, corporations, and governments, moving beyond awareness to actionable solutions that promote long-term resilience.
This initiative’s legacy, dating back to 2001, underscores its foundational role in sustainability education and research. Its steady evolution reflects the dynamic nature of environmental challenges, as well as the technological and scientific advances shaping our understanding. In doing so, the CSS Factsheets continue to empower stakeholders at all levels to engage effectively in creating a sustainable future.
Through the careful curation of data and the fostering of systems-level insight, the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems stands at the vanguard of sustainability science communication. Their 2025 factsheets embody a vital resource—one that combines rigorous technical analysis with accessible presentation—to motivate and equip a diverse array of actors committed to sustainable development worldwide.
Subject of Research: Sustainability, Environmental Systems, Artificial Intelligence in Sustainability, Great Lakes Ecosystem
Article Title: University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems Launches Expanded 2025 Factsheets Covering Artificial Intelligence and Great Lakes Sustainability
News Publication Date: 23-Sep-2025
Web References:
- CSS Factsheets: https://css.umich.edu/publications/factsheets
- Faculty: Greg Keoleian: https://seas.umich.edu/research/faculty/greg-keoleian
- Faculty: Shelie Miller: https://seas.umich.edu/research/faculty/shelie-miller
- Fund the Facts Campaign: https://giving.umich.edu/basket/fund/312935
Keywords: Sustainability, Natural Resources Management, Energy Resources, Renewable Resources, Environmental Sciences, Climate Data, Climate Change
