Letter from the Interim Director
Charles L. Liotta

The 21st century is an era of great challenge and opportunity. The challenges are daunting, including rapid population growth, dramatic economic expansion in countries like China and India, global climate change, the need for clean energy sources, degrading air and water quality, stresses on fresh water availability, and deterioration of both agricultural and natural ecosystem resources. The opportunities derive from impending breakthroughs in technologies, opening of new global markets, a growing understanding of the importance of sustainability, and the increased interconnections of people enabled by the internet.

Georgia Tech was one of the first universities to make an early and comprehensive commitment to sustainability. After more than a decade of investment in sustainability programs at Georgia Tech under the auspices of the Institute for Sustainable Technology Development, we are expanding our efforts with a global vision. The concept paper (link) for the Institute for Sustainable Systems was developed over a 6 month period by a committee of faculty leaders from across campus. A distinguishing feature of Institute is an emphasis on system science, system engineering, and system management. The systems approach combines scientifically rigorous analysis, technological innovations, business leadership, stakeholder participation, and learning opportunities for students. The systems approach requires integration of global and local perspectives.

The Institute is being launched with a gift from Brook Byers, for whom the Institute is named. A search is being initiated for Director of the Institute. The Institute (and the website) is a work in progress. Check the page often for news and new developments!