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Focus Areas

Our independent analyses of the complex interactions among co-evolving systems aid decision-makers in confronting multiple, interwoven challenges.

Earth Systems
Changes and risks to interconnected land, ocean, atmosphere and biosphere systems
Managed Resources
Changes and risks to managed agriculture, water, land and energy systems
Infrastructure & Investment
Physical and transition risk; adaptation and resilience to climate change and extreme events
Energy Transition
National and global projections of the future energy mix; prospects for different sectors and technologies
Policy Scenarios
Environmental and economic change under different climate, air pollution, and economic policies
Regional Analysis
Science and policy studies at subnational, national and multinational levels
Multi-Sector Dynamics
Potential tipping points and transition states of Earth and human systems

Research Tools

Our state-of-the-art models and analytical methods project global and regional changes and potential risks under different policy scenarios.​

Global Framework

Simulates the interplay between Earth and human systems

Earth System Component

Simulates physical, dynamical and chemical processes in the atmosphere, land, ocean and cryosphere

Human System Component

Simulates the evolution of economic, demographic, trade and technological processes

Risk Analysis

Analytical methods to quantify uncertainty at global and regional scales

Global Change Outlook

Our Greenhouse Gamble Wheels

Upcoming Event

March 23, 2023 - March 24, 2023
Global Change Forum XLV: Staying the course: Achieving climate change goals in turbulent times
Sessions (preliminary): 
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Joint Program News

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News Release
Global Changes - Fall 2022 Newsletter
Insights, news, projects, publications and other developments at the MIT Joint Program
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News Release
A healthy wind

Health benefits of using wind energy instead of fossil fuels could quadruple if the most polluting power plants are selected for dialing down, new study finds (MIT News) (Coverage: US News & World Report, ...

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Around Campus
Using game engines and “twins” to co-create stories of climate futures

Inaugural WORLDING workshops matched world-class climate story teams with relevant labs and researchers across MIT (Open Documentary Lab)

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News Release
A breakthrough on “loss and damage,” but also disappointment, at UN climate conference

Delegates from MIT attended COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where international climate negotiations went down to the wire (MIT Office of the Vice President for Research)

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