The Big Picture
MIT experts outline issues, offer hope for climate action
Spring 2021
Climate change presents a challenge like no other, truly daunting in its complexity. At MIT, faculty, students, and staff are working to address the planet’s mounting issues in ways both large and small. While some work to mitigate damage and construct a sustainable future, others seek to understand and influence the human behaviors at the heart of the problem. Together, they hope to protect Earth.
MIT experts outline issues, offer hope for climate action
Doctoral student helps architects design buildings to suit the climate and save energy
MIT’s engineers take on a defining challenge
Ava Waitz ’21 works on transparent solar cells, emissions modeling
John Sterman helps people experience impacts of action and inaction
With synthetic biology and AI, Jim Collins takes on this pandemic—and the next
From the President
Spotlight
Climate- and sustainability-focused companies with MIT connections have their sights set on global impact
Spotlight
J-WAFS project aims to help food grains weather drought
Janelle Knox-Hayes explores link between values, sustainable practices
ESI program Here and Real connects MIT climate research to communities
Aggregate Confusion Project targets better ways to judge corporate behavior
New fellowship helps MechE grad student advance robotics
Class gives students frameworks to improve decision making
MIT partners with Cambridge on flood-risk model for local, global benefit
CliMA collaboration aims to reinvent Earth system modeling
Thuan ’90, SM ’91 and Nicole Pham
Desirée Plata devises new methods for decontaminating air, water
Major new J-PAL initiative targets impact at the nexus of climate and poverty
David ’69 and Jeanne-Marie Brookfield
Mallory Ringham uses optical sensor to assess oceans’ chemical changes