Scientists find a human “fingerprint” in the upper troposphere’s increasing ozone
Knowing where to look for this signal will help researchers identify specific sources of the potent greenhouse gas.
Making climate models relevant for local decision-makers
A new downscaling method leverages machine learning to speed up climate model simulations at finer resolutions, making them usable on local levels.
Microscopic defects in ice influence how massive glaciers flow, study shows
The findings should help scientists refine predictions of future sea-level rise.
Study: Heavy snowfall and rain may contribute to some earthquakes
The results suggest that climate may influence seismic activity.
How light can vaporize water without the need for heat
Surprising “photomolecular effect” discovered by MIT researchers could affect calculations of climate change and may lead to improved desalination and drying processes.
MIT-derived algorithm helps forecast the frequency of extreme weather
The new approach “nudges” existing climate simulations closer to future reality.
A new way to quantify climate change impacts: “Outdoor days”
This measure, developed by MIT researchers, reflects direct effects on people’s quality of life — and reveals significant global disparities.
Reducing pesticide use while increasing effectiveness
In field tests, MIT spinoff AgZen demonstrated that its feedback-optimized spraying system could halve the pesticide needs of farms and improve crop yields.
Generative AI for smart grid modeling
MIT LIDS awarded funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission as part of a multi-state collaborative project to model and test new smart grid technologies for use in rural areas.
MIT researchers remotely map crops, field by field
The team used machine learning to analyze satellite and roadside images of areas where small farms predominate and agricultural data are sparse.
New tool predicts flood risk from hurricanes in a warming climate
Using New York as a test case, the model predicts flooding at the level experienced during Hurricane Sandy will occur roughly every 30 years by the end of this century.
Co-creating climate futures with real-time data and spatial storytelling
Five multimedia projects communicating climate futures selected for 2023 WORLDING program, online and at MIT.
Accelerated climate action needed to sharply reduce current risks to life and life-support systems
2023 Global Change Outlook from the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change quantifies benefits of policies that cap global warming at 1.5 C.
A mineral produced by plate tectonics has a global cooling effect, study finds
An accordion-textured clay called smectite efficiently traps organic carbon and could help buffer global warming over millions of years.
In a surprising finding, light can make water evaporate without heat
A newly identified process could explain a variety of natural phenomena and enable new approaches to desalination.