Safer Chemicals and Materials
Design chemicals, materials, and production systems that reduce harmful contaminants and protect human and ecosystem health.
Thriving Planet Institute
Building Solutions at the Intersection of the Environment and Health
Our Work
The Thriving Planet Institute (TPI) at Northwestern advances systems‑level, community‑engaged research and education to address interconnected water, land, and air challenges shaping human and planetary health.
Focus Areas
From Local Systems to Global Solutions
Sustainability challenges are accelerating, and they rarely arrive one at a time. They show up as interconnected pressures on our climate, health, infrastructure, food and water systems, and the resilience of our communities.
TPI's work is built to move—from discovery to piloting, testing, and scaling—so research can inform decisions and practices that improve lives.
Learn about our research and priorities and meet our University partners.
Climate and Ecosystem Resilience
Strengthen ecosystem services like flood protection, heat mitigation, and water filtration to help communities adapt to climate impacts.
Water and Food Security
Improve the access, quality, safety, and reliability of water and food systems where gaps and inequities threaten health.
Develop Open Tools
Build open-source data, models, and tools that help partners assess risk, compare interventions, and invest with confidence.
Signature Initiative
Center for Water Research
Water security is central to TPI's mission. The Northwestern Center for Water Research anchors and accelerates this work by supporting research, partnerships, and practical solutions that strengthen water systems and protect public health.
Stay Updated
Keep up-to-date on the work Northwestern does at the intersection of the environment and human health.
Our Method
We discover, pilot, and share integrated solutions.
TPI supports interdisciplinary teams doing rigorous, actionable research that accounts for interactions among water, land, air, and human well-being, and translates that work into tools, practices, technologies, and policies.
Get Involved
Support the Thriving Planet Institute's work or reach out to connect, collaborate, and learn more.