News + Media
Commentary
Scientific American | Feb 19, 2021
The president’s letter to his new science advisor emphasizes the crucial role science plays in our society—much as Roosevelt did in a similar missive in 1944
In November 1944, President Roosevelt wrote a letter to Vannevar Bush, who was then director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSDR). From there, Bush oversaw many of the scientific advances that contributed to victory in World War II. The end of the war was yet nine months...
Around Campus
MIT News | Feb 17, 2021
Team brings diverse backgrounds and expertise to address technology and policy challenges for the clean energy transition
Pablo Duenas-Martinez and Dharik Mallapragrada first met on opposite sides of a sponsored research project through the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI). They worked together to define a project to study the long-term evolution of the electricity sector in India and the impacts of technological and...
News Release
MIT News | Feb 10, 2021
Scientists observe reduction in emissions of banned ozone-depleting chemical after unexpected spike
A potent ozone-depleting chemical whose emissions unexpectedly spiked in recent years has quickly dropped back to much lower levels, putting the recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer back on track, according to a new study by scientists at MIT, the University of Bristol, and other...
Around Campus
MIT News | Jan 28, 2021
The MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium launches with 13 company members to work with MIT on innovation in climate and sustainability
Launched today, the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium (MCSC) convenes an alliance of leaders from a broad range of industries and aims to vastly accelerate large-scale, real-world implementation of solutions to address the threat of climate change. The MCSC unites similarly motivated,...
Around Campus
MIT News | Jan 28, 2021
Former US energy secretary discusses opportunities and challenges with MITEI Director Robert Armstrong
Climate and energy are two key areas on the Biden-Harris Administration’s agenda. Here, Robert C. Armstrong, director of the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), asks Ernest J. Moniz — professor emeritus post-tenure, MITEI’s founding director, special advisor to MIT President Rafael Reif, and former U...
Around Campus
MIT News | Jan 22, 2021
Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, Aviv Regev, Susan Solomon, and Feng Zhang are the recipients of distinguished awards for major contributions to science
Four MIT scientists are among the 20 recipients of the 2021 Academy Honors for major contributions to science, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) announced at its annual meeting. The individuals are recognized for their “extraordinary scientific achievements in a wide range of fields...
News Release
MIT News | Jan 19, 2021
Study probes pandemic’s long-term effects on the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Business closures. Travel restrictions. Working and learning from home. These and other dramatic responses to Covid-19 have caused sharp reductions in economic activity—and associated fossil fuel consumption—around the world. As a result, many nations are reporting significant reductions in...
News Brief
Jan 15, 2021
MIT Joint Program faculty affiliate Noelle Selin shares scientific perspective in Civic Series webinar
As the United States transitions from one administration bent on rolling back climate regulations to another that aims to accelerate climate action, it seems as good a time as any to take stock. What do scientists understand about today’s climate; how much worse are hurricanes, wildfires, heat...
Around Campus
MIT News | Jan 15, 2021
Proposed design could reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 95 percent, a new study finds
At cruising altitude, airplanes emit a steady stream of nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, where the chemicals can linger to produce ozone and fine particulates. Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, are a major source of air pollution and have been associated with asthma, respiratory disease, and...
Commentary
The Guardian | Jan 05, 2021
The ‘carbon dividend’ is so elegant that it seems too good to be true. Governments should make it a post-pandemic priority
Tue 5 Jan 2021 03.00 EST