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Environment
628 posts
The Natural World
Ocean bacteria team up to break down biodegradable plastic
MIT researchers uncovered the roles of bacterial species from the environment as they consume biodegradable plastic. Zach Winn…
The Invisible Stress of a Cold Home
Most people think of a cold house as a comfort issue, something you tolerate with thicker socks or…
Why Indoor Air Quality Is Becoming a Business Essential for Small Companies
Indoor air quality has quietly shifted from a background detail to a daily business risk, and HVAC systems,…
New research may help scientists predict when a humid heat wave will break
As these events become more common at midlatitudes, a phenomenon called an atmospheric inversion will determine how long…
This year’s climate talks saw real progress – just not on fossil fuels
Antonio Scorza/COP30, CC BY-NC-ND Jacqueline Peel, The University of Melbourne It wasn’t a comfortable process for the tens…
Five key issues at the UN climate summit in Brazil – and why they matter to you and the planet
Alix Dietzel, University of Bristol and Katherine Fitzpatrick, University of Bristol The world’s most important climate summit –…
How strategic foresight can future-proof the Gulf’s energy transition
Strategic foresight is essential for the resilience of GCC states highly dependent on energy exportsImage: REUTERS/Ben Job The…
Why climate summits fail – and three ways to save them
Climate governance is a mess. Orjan Ellingvag / Alamy (Art: ‘The Thinker’s Burden’, by environmental artist Benjamin von…
Climate tipping points sound scary, especially for ice sheets and oceans – here’s why there’s still room for optimism
Meltwater runs across the Greenland ice sheet in rivers. The ice sheet is already losing mass and could…
Jane Goodall, the gentle disrupter whose research on chimpanzees redefined what it meant to be human
Jane Goodall appears on stage at 92NY in New York on Oct. 1, 2023. Charles Sykes/Invision/AP Mireya Mayor,…
Why animals are a critical part of forest carbon absorption
An MIT study shows decreases in seed-dispersing animals can lead to a major reduction in forest carbon absorption.…
Three ways Pope Francis influenced the global climate movement
Indigenous representatives of Amazonian communities with Pope Francis in the Vatican gardens Celia Deane-Drummond, University of Oxford The…
Study: Climate change will reduce the number of satellites that can safely orbit in space
Increasing greenhouse gas emissions will reduce the atmosphere’s ability to burn up old space junk, MIT scientists report.…
3 Questions: What the laws of physics tell us about CO2 removal
In a report on the feasibility of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, physicists say these technologies are…
As Los Angeles combusts, 2024 is declared Earth’s hottest on record
Andrew King, The University of Melbourne and David Karoly, The University of Melbourne The year 2024 was the…
Southern California is extremely dry, and that’s fueling fires − maps show just how dry
Dry conditions across Southern California set the stage for a series of deadly wind-driven wildfires that burned thousands…
Helping students bring about decarbonization, from benchtop to global energy marketplace
Professor Jessika Trancik’s course helps students understand energy levers for addressing climate change at the macro and micro…
MIT Energy and Climate Club mobilizes future leaders to address global climate issues
One of the largest MIT clubs sees itself as “the umbrella of all things related to energy and…
What Is The Most Powerful Hurricane Possible On Earth?
Hurricanes and typhoons are some of the most powerful forces in nature. These massive storms, fueled by warm…
Timber venues, river swimming and re-use: How the Paris Olympics is going green – and what it’s missing
As Paris prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the sustainability of the event is coming under…
A Recipe For Zero-emissions Fuel: Soda Cans, Seawater, And Caffeine
MIT engineers have developed a fast and sustainable method for producing hydrogen fuel using aluminum, saltwater, and coffee…
Advances in Concrete and Asphalt Paving Equipment
The construction industry relies heavily on equipment that allows concrete and asphalt to be produced. Almost all building…
A Guide To Keeping Your Dog Healthy
Every dog owner knows that a happy pet requires love, attention, and care, but there’s so much more…
What Can Scientists Learn From The Eclipse?
The Great North American Eclipse of 2024 will offer spectacular views and provide scientists an opportunity to study…
Think Globally, Rebuild Locally
In order to recycle construction materials, keep them close to home, a new study of Amsterdam suggests. Peter…
Cutting Carbon Emissions On The US Power Grid
An online model enables users to calculate the least-cost strategy for a specific regional grid under various assumptions;…
The World Is Not Moving Fast Enough On Climate Change — Social Sciences Can Help Explain Why
People walk on the snowless streets of Place Jacques Cartier in Old Montréal on Jan. 3, 2024. February…
These tiny worm-like creatures in the soil can destroy pests but they can also kill crops – an expert’s guide to nematodes
PeopleImages/Getty Images Antoinette Paula Malan, Stellenbosch University Whether you’re a gardener growing food for your household, a small…
Renewable Energy Innovation Isn’t Just Good For The Climate — It’s Also Good For The Economy
Many have argued the energy industry needs to change to reduce carbon emissions, but one concern that remains…
Satellites Are Burning Up In The Upper Atmosphere – And We Still Don’t Know What Impact This Will Have On The Earth’s Climate
Paul Fleet / shutterstock Fionagh Thomson, Durham University Elon Musk’s SpaceX has announced it will dispose of 100…
How Urban Farming Tech Is Shaping The Future Of Food
As agriculture goes urban, it brings along technologies which may alter the future of food. Urban farming is…
Study: Global Deforestation Leads To More Mercury Pollution
Scientists quantify a previously overlooked driver of human-related mercury emissions. Adam Zewe | MIT NewsMIT News (https://news.mit.edu/2024/study-global-deforestation-leads-more-mercury-pollution-0212) About…
Do We Want A Wind Farm Outside Our Window? What Australians Think About The Net Zero Transition
Bill Mead, Unsplash, CC BY Lucy Richardson, Monash University and Ella Healy, Monash University A paradox lies at…
Clean Air Is A Valuable Economic Asset. Here Are 4 Steps To Achieve It
The benefits of clean air extend well beyond the environment; it is also key to human health. There…
How We Can Identify Climate-Vulnerable Neighbourhoods And Protect Inhabitants
The Netherlands is working to protect its climate-vulnerable neighbourhoods It is not the disaster of large floods, but…
Sustainability. Hey Days Come In Many Ways.
Sustainability projects encompass a wide range of initiatives aimed at promoting environmental, social, and economic health and well-being.…
Re-Writing The Underwriting Story: How To Navigate The Complexities Of Modern Risks
Underwriting now looks to assess the risks of climate change and other modern risks The term ‘uninsurability’ is…
Putting People At The Centre Of The Green Transition
Labour market disruptions, risks to the accessibility of products, and gaps in financing and capability impact fairness in…
Why Decoupling Economic Growth From Emissions Is The Key Net-Zero Mindset Shift
Harness digital transformation to grow your business while lowering emissions. One of the biggest mental obstacles to adopting…
Renewables Now Generate More Of Britain’s Electricity Than Fossil Fuels – But What Happens Next?
David Falconer / Shutterstock Will de Freitas, The Conversation At the start of 2016, in an article noting…
Central Banks Should Be Fighting The Climate Crisis – Here’s Why
Central banks could be doing more to help green industries. Jane Rix / shutterstock Martin Sokol, Trinity College…
6 Ways To Grow Our Cities In A More Sustainable Manner
As we stand at the crossroads of urban development and environmental sustainability, the challenge of growing our cities…
Why The COP28 Climate Summit Mattered, And What To Watch For In 2024
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, had front-row seats at…
Making Solar Energy More Accessible
A new platform supports users in the process of installing and crowdfunding their solar panels. Take the example…
AI Meets Climate: MIT Energy And Climate Hack 2023
The Energy and Climate Hack presented opportunities for students and companies to collaborate and develop innovative solutions. Johnathon…
COP28: The Scientific Basis For A Rapid Fossil Fuel Phase Out
COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber, centre, attends a plenary session at the COP28 UN Climate Summit, Dec. 8, 2023,…
Don’t Applaud The Climate Summit’s Loss And Damage Fund Deal Just Yet – It Might Not Warrant That Standing Ovation
Some countries like the Philippines have been hit by repeated climate change-fueled disasters. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images Shannon Gibson,…
As disasters and heat intensify, can the world meet the urgency of the moment at the COP28 climate talks?
Shutterstock Brendan Mackey, Griffith University Eight years ago, the world agreed to an ambitious target in the Paris…
Accelerating Climate Action With AI
AI has the potential to mitigate 5-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions according to our new report with…
Using Air And Water To Create A Clean And Efficient Energy Storage System
A new system combines heat/cold generation and electricity storage with the help of compressed air tanks, making green…