The ESAL is a participant in Michigan State University's multi-college environmental information systems. This consortium conducts cooperative studies on national ecological and meteorological databases. He is coordinator for a new course, Earth System Science, taught by professors from different disciplines, where students learn concepts of whole earth systems. In these courses, students are exposed to modern analytical and information technology and gain experience in problem solving using simulation modeling, geographic information systems, database management and access to world-wide information using the Internet. A new Environmental Computing Laboratory has been designed to enhance this process.
CARD conducts public policy research.
Under Professor Johnson's direction, public policy research programs at CARD employ advanced theory and method in examining issues of agriculture and trade, food and nutrition, resource and environment, and rural and economic development policy. The analysis is both domestic and for foreign nations. At CARD, he has fostered the development of a policy research capacity that anticipates, rather than reacts to, contemporary domestic and international policy issues. He has published extensively in economic transition. He has also served as a consultant to the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as other U.S. and foreign governments, agencies, and private firms.