Environment

Researchers have found that a class of molecules called sulfidic anions may have been abundant in Earth’s lakes and rivers.

Brewing up Earth’s earliest life

Large concentrations of sulfites and bisulfites in shallow lakes may have set the stage for Earth’s first biological molecules.

April 8, 2018

Putting a price on carbon, in the form of a fee or tax on the producers of fossil fuels, can be an effective way to curb emissions of greenhouse gases.

Carbon taxes could make significant dent in climate change, study finds

Several different carbon-pricing approaches would help reduce emissions, and some would be fair as well, researchers report.

April 6, 2018

“For buildings, placing too much emphasis on minimizing initial costs and not paying enough attention to the use phase can lead to higher costs, both environmentally and economically,” says Jeremy Gregory, executive director of the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub.

With buildings and infrastructure, it pays to take a life-cycle perspective

Concrete Sustainability Hub research shows life-cycle thinking has long-term environmental and economic payoffs.

March 30, 2018

Alex Amouyel, executive director of Solve

Solve announces next global challenges

March 2, 2018

Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Water and Food John Lienhard was ranked fourth in Top 25 Global Water Leaders list by Water and Wastewater International.

MIT’s growing global leadership in water achieves industry recognition

Water industry publication recognizes J-WAFS director John Lienhard and other influential water sector leaders with strong connections to MIT, in 2018 Top 25 list.

February 21, 2018

Air pollution in Bangladesh and Northern India

Projecting the impacts of climate change

Joint Program researchers advocate for improved modeling approach.

February 13, 2018

Maps depict the close correlation of crop production, rainfall and temperature in the U.S. Midwest in the last half of the 20th century. In this map, the number of bushels of corn produced are shown in shades of green.

Intensive agriculture influences U.S. regional summer climate, study finds

An increase in corn and soybean production in the Midwest may have led to cooler, wetter summers there.

February 13, 2018

On Jan. 25, the MIT Climate Action Team organized a carbon-pricing panel that included (from left to right) Massachusetts State Sen. Michael Barrett, State Rep. Jennifer Benson, Climate XChange Research and Policy Director Marc Breslow, Associate Professor Janelle Knox-Hayes, Joint Program Co-director and Sloan School of Management Senior Lecturer John Reilly, and Center for Energy and Environment...

Is Massachusetts ready for carbon pricing?

Panel at MIT explores benefits, costs, and political challenges.

January 30, 2018

Soon-to-be assistant professor Jing Li’s training in economics allows her to examine each step as a clean energy technology progresses from the lab to the marketplace.

Jing Li: Applying economics to energy technology

Soon-to-be assistant professor of applied economics focuses on development and deployment solutions that can help the world move to a low-carbon future.

January 30, 2018