Climate change

This illustration depicts a possible configuration for the combined system proposed by MIT researchers. At the bottom, steam (pink arrows) passes through pulverized coal, releasing gaseous fuel (red arrows) made up of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This fuel goes into a solid oxide fuel cell (disks near top), where it reacts with oxygen from the air (blue arrows) to produce electricity (loop at rig...

Hybrid system could cut coal-plant emissions in half

Combining gasification with fuel-cell technology could boost efficiency of coal-powered plants.

April 4, 2016

“For China, it looks like industrial growth [has the greatest impact on water shortages] as people get wealthier,” Charles Fant says. “In India, population growth has a huge effect. It varies by region.”

Water problems in Asia’s future?

Study finds high risk of severe water stress in Asia by 2050.

March 30, 2016

In global efforts to address climate change, electrical engineers have crucial role

In student energy seminar, Professor Rajeev Ram illustrates engineering solutions to energy issues.

March 23, 2016

White House features newly launched MIT Climate CoLab Energy-Water Nexus Contest

MIT Climate CoLab contest featured by the White House on United Nations World Water Day.

March 22, 2016

Transforming the U.S. transportation system by 2050 to address climate challenges

MIT Energy Initiative report provides recommendations for reductions in light-duty vehicle energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

March 15, 2016

“We propose that you use the carbon tax in moderation and use research subsidies for clean technology in order to make that transition [to clean technology] faster,” Daron Acemoglu says.

Power play

Study shows how more R&D funding can accelerate the world energy revolution.

March 15, 2016

Janos Pasztor, senior advisor to the U.N. secretary-general on climate change, at one of five daily talks on international climate change negotiations that he presented at MIT.

Getting the world to turn down the heat

Top U.N. climate advisor highlights successes in Paris, challenges ahead.

March 11, 2016

“We hope the MIT community will join us in identifying a range of potential solutions to meet our institutional climate goals,” Don Holmes says.

Crowdsourcing contest to focus on reducing campus emissions

MIT challenges the community to identify cutting-edge solutions to reach carbon reduction goals.

March 10, 2016

Shown here is guest speaker Ernest Moniz (right), with Robert Armstrong, director of the MIT Energy Initiative.

“Big meets small” at annual MIT Energy Conference

Speakers describe energy solutions at varying scales, and need for further progress.

March 8, 2016

Innovation, Ernest Moniz said, is “the essence of America’s strength.”

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz touts great opportunities in energy

New international agreement on “Mission Innovation” could lead to major progress on climate change.

March 4, 2016

“It is crucial that MIT seize a leadership role in addressing the urgent issue of climate change, and I believe that this agreement puts us in an even stronger position to lead effectively and successfully,” Maria Zuber says.

Agreement on climate-related action reached by MIT administration and student-led group

Four-part plan signals effort to build on last year’s climate action plan, and an end to months-long protest.

March 3, 2016

MIT grad student Alison Hoyt studies the carbon cycle of Borneo’s tropical peat swamp forests.

Stories from the swamp

Graduate student Alison Hoyt gets knee deep in the exploration of carbon cycling in the peat swamp forests of Borneo.

February 26, 2016

Exelon President and CEO Chris Crane (left) with MIT Energy Initiative Director Robert Armstrong

MIT Energy Initiative and Exelon collaborate on clean energy research through MITEI’s Low-Carbon Centers

Exelon’s MITEI membership will support research including energy storage, smarter grids, advanced nuclear generation, and solar energy.

February 25, 2016

Proposals submitted to the Climate CoLab contests will help crowdsource the makings of national and global climate action plans, like those agreed upon at the UN climate change conference in Paris last December.

MIT lab opens 10 contests on climate change

Proposals submitted will help crowdsource the makings of national and global climate action plans.

February 24, 2016

Will we ever stop using fossil fuels?

Not without a carbon tax, suggests a study by an MIT economist.