Clean Water and Sanitation

Imagine a substance that can perform an array of valuable services, and is also astoundingly durable. In the 1940s, 3M and DuPont discovered this wonder product. A class of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) offered long-lasting use in a spectrum of applications and products but today their ubiquity and durability have come back to haunt humanity. 

Minnesota’s small towns are home to some of the state’s most beloved gems. Along with breathtaking and subtly beautiful landscapes, friendly faces, and a strong sense of place, lower-population areas can also have limited resources. 

Farmers often face tough decisions about how much nitrogen to apply to corn, especially when spring weather disrupts pre-plant fertilizer plans.

While laws to limit pollution have been around for decades, heavy metal pollutants like lead remain a problem in many areas. Lead and other metals in the soil or air can move through urban ecosystems, impacting the health of humans, plants and animals.

At the University of Minnesota, we're rolling up our sleeves and amping up our research to help feed the world while protecting our environment.

For the first time, the University of Minnesota ranked first among U.S. institutions in two categories in the Times Higher Ed (THE) Impact Rankings.

When it comes to sustainability, the University of Minnesota shines. Hear from six University leaders on what sustainability encompasses, how to practice sustainability on campus, and where the University leads in this space.

In Minnesota, CBS researchers like Finlay lead efforts to keep drugs such as oxycodone, heavy metals, insect repellent and the like from contaminating the waters we cherish—and waters around the world.

Members of the University of Minnesota’s Project Dinkytown club aim to make Dinkytown a better place by promoting cleanliness and safety.The club meets once a week on Fridays near the Dinkytown Target to pick up litter around the area. 

The UMN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Initiative is excited to announce the 2025 SDG Research Grant competition!