Environment

MIT signs Compact for Sustainable Future with City of Cambridge and HarvardAkamai to join universities and city in new agreement; others encouraged to follow suit.

The case for optimism about a renewable energy futureResearcher Eric Martinot presents findings of two-year project at campus event

Mission Southwest: Mines, water and rocksUndergrads in Terrascope Mission 2016 course visit mines and water facilities in the American Southwest.

3Q: Jeffrey Ravel on the French past and our futureWith MIT hosting a global French history conference, a look at the international growth of — and changes in — the field.

Living in a material worldReport finds materials manufacturers will likely be unable to meet targets for carbon-emissions reductions by 2050.

The case of the missing gas taxMIT researchers find vehicle efficiency standards are at least six times more costly than a tax on fuel.

Students witness science policy in actionMIT students participate in the final mercury talks resulting in an international treaty.

Purification on the cheapSystem developed at MIT cleans ‘produced water’ from natural gas wells, could lead to improved desalination plants for developing countries.

Changing with the climateMIT researchers, Massachusetts officials highlight strategies to adapt to climate change.

The right’s resistance to regulationBook details how conservatives have changed the terms of the environmental debate in recent decades.

MIT researchers win Pyke Johnson AwardKarplus, Paltsev honored for their study on the impacts of vehicle efficiency standards.

Susan Solomon wins international climate awardMIT professor honored by BBVA for discovering links between atmosphere, climate and human activity.

Tackling a global warming conundrumMIT professor and colleagues address major issue in climate science: greenhouse gases versus aerosols.

Researchers reveal strategies for mercury reduction in time for negotiationsMIT, Harvard professors map future trends, reveal ways to reduce mercury levels on eve of final international meeting for mercury control.

Size diversity in cement nanoparticles optimizes packing density to give concrete its strength

Clearing the airAtmospheric chemist Susan Solomon finds hope in past environmental challenges.

Programs for green citiesFinding out what works

Department snapshot: Civil and Environmental EngineeringFrom bacteria to bridges, CEE researchers tackle natural and built environments.

Christopher Warshaw: Mapping a Democracy

At MIT, Dalai Lama calls for better stewardship of Earth’s resourcesTibetan Buddhist leader urges a more enlightened view of self-interest in remarks at MIT conference.

The mathematics of leaf decayA mathematical model reveals commonality within the diversity of leaf decay.

In profile: Chris ZegrasMIT urban planner builds tools that help designers make cities cleaner and greener.

Study maps pollution’s pathway to the Arctic, sets path for future researchMIT researchers have built a model that will be further developed as part of an NSF-funded project to track how chemicals get to remote Arctic environments.

Designing with damaged landA citizens’ guide to reclaiming abandoned mine sites ecologically

Lead from gasoline discovered in Indian OceanLevels began to climb in the 1970s, peaking a decade ago — a timeline consistent with the region’s pattern of leaded gasoline use.

Seeing Green: Saving Forests or Food Prices?A growing population and rapid development will put a strain on land used to grow food over the next century. But if reforestation is used to avoid climate change it will create further strain, says a new MIT study.