Pollution

MIT researchers have found that much of the current emission of CFC-11 and CFC-12 likely stems from large CFC “banks” — old equipment such as building insulation foam, refrigerators and cooling systems, and foam insulation, that was manufactured before the global phaseout of CFCs and is still leaking the gases into the atmosphere.

Emissions of several ozone-depleting chemicals are larger than expected

Recovering and safely destroying the sources of these chemicals could speed ozone recovery and reduce climate change.

March 17, 2020

MIT graduate student Emily Hanhauser demonstrates a new device that may simplify the logistics of water monitoring for trace metal contaminants, particularly in resource-constrained regions.

Instrument may enable mail-in testing to detect heavy metals in water

Whisk-shaped device absorbs trace contaminants, preserves them in dry state that can be shipped to labs for analysis.

February 25, 2020

New MIT study finds more than half of all air-quality-related early deaths in the United States are a result of cross-state pollution, or emissions originating outside of the state in which those deaths occur.

Half of U.S. deaths related to air pollution are linked to out-of-state emissions

Study tracks pollution from state to state in the 48 contiguous United States.

February 12, 2020

An Army Corps of Engineers flood model depicting the Ala Wai watershed after a 100-year rain event. The owner of a local design firm described the Ala Wai Flood Control Project as the largest climate impact project in Hawai's modern history.

Reducing risk, empowering resilience to disruptive global change

Workshop highlights how MIT research can guide adaptation at local, regional, and national scales.

January 23, 2020

The AES Corporation, based in Virginia, installed the world’s largest solar-plus-storage system on the southern end of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. A scaled-down version was first tested at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Pathways to a low-carbon future

A new study looks at how the global energy mix could change over the next 20 years.

January 9, 2020

Assistant Professor Valerie Karplus and her collaborators have demonstrated that measurements of air pollutants taken by NASA satellites are often a good indicator of emissions on the ground. Their approach provides regulators with a low-cost tool to ensure that industrial firms are complying with emissions standards.

Tracking emissions in China

Evaluating a 2014 policy change yields some good news and some concerns.

December 30, 2019

Members of the winning team, ecoTrio, from this year’s MADMEC competition. From left to right are Margaret Lee, Sara Sheffels, and Ty Christoff-Tempesta.

MADMEC teams address plastic waste problem with materials science

Finalists presented an alternative to nondegradable plastics, and an additive to help plastics decompose.

October 17, 2019

Renewlogy co-founder and CEO Priyanka Bakaya inside one of the company's commercial plants, which are capable of processing ten tons of plastic each day to create about 60 barrels of fuel.

MIT alumna addresses the world’s mounting plastic waste problem

Renewlogy’s system is converting plastic waste from cities and rivers into fuel.

October 9, 2019

Solugen's proprietary process for producing hydrogen peroxide uses modified enzymes and inexpensive compounds like sugar. It is currently being used in two pilot facilities that create more than 10 tons of the chemical every day.

Cleaning up hydrogen peroxide production

Solugen’s engineered enzymes offer a biologically-inspired method for producing the chemical.

September 5, 2019

“The human body is so sensitive to environmental and social conditions,” says Mariana Arcaya. “We should be aiming for cities that are supportive of human health for everyone.”

Health, wealth, and cities

MIT associate professor of urban studies Mariana Arcaya examines health disparities within metro areas.

August 27, 2019

A wind turbine on the coast of Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio

Shift to renewable electricity a win-win at statewide level

MIT research finds health savings from cleaner air exceed policy costs.

August 14, 2019

At MIT, as globally connected citizens with many opportunities for work- and research-related air travel, many community members contribute more to climate change than the average American.

Air travel in academia

Media Lab designs a pilot carbon-offsets program.

August 7, 2019

The MIT Water Club conducted a water taste test and outreach event at the Cambridge Arts River Festival.

Following the current: MIT examines water consumption sustainability

The Institute aims to update its water management practices to prepare for droughts, sea level rise, and other risks posed by the climate crisis.

August 5, 2019

Health effects of China’s climate policy extend across Pacific

Improved air quality in China could prevent nearly 2,000 premature deaths in the U.S.

July 29, 2019

MIT Assistant Professor Betar Gallant (left) and graduate student Aliza Khurram are developing a novel battery that could both capture carbon dioxide in power plant exhaust and convert it to a solid ready for safe disposal.

Removing carbon dioxide from power plant exhaust

MIT researchers are developing a battery that could both capture carbon dioxide in power plant exhaust and convert it to a solid ready for safe disposal.