Climate change

A ‘green’ Sahara was far less dusty than todayResearch points to an abrupt and widespread climate shift in the Sahara 5,000 years ago.

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.

Bringing life to computer models of marine microbesBiogeochemical modeler Mick Follows named tenured associate professor in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences

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

Michael Liebreich sees shift to cleaner energy as inevitableChief executive officer of Bloomberg New Energy Finance says clean energy will eventually be the norm.

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

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.

3 Questions: Engineering hurricane barriers of the futureOceans at MIT interviews MIT's Chiang C. Mei about the possibility of protecting East Coast cities from future storms.

Three from MIT named Marine Microbiology Initiative investigatorsGordon and Betty Moore Foundation awards given to pursue high-risk research in marine microbial ecology.

3 Questions: World energy outlookFatih Birol, chief economist at the International Energy Agency, talks about the future of fossil fuels and the prospects for curbing greenhouse-gas emissions.

Ocean currents play a role in predicting extent of Arctic sea iceDiscovery of feedback between sea ice and ocean improves Arctic ice extent forecast.

New method could help communities plan for climate riskMIT researchers develop tool to assess regional risks of climate change, potential impacts on local infrastructure and planning.

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

Sitting still or going hunting: Which works better?If you’re a microbe floating in the ocean, there’s no single best strategy for getting food, MIT research shows.

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

Climate change: a developing challenge for poor nationsMIT and U.N. researchers team up to tackle some of the heftiest climate change challenges developing countries will face as they confront an uncertain future.

What the past teaches: meeting today’s global environmental challengesAtmospheric science pioneer Susan Solomon speaks on past environmental accomplishments, technology’s role and how history should be our guide to meeting today’s global challenges.

When it rains, it poursStudy estimates rate of intensification of extreme tropical rainfall with global warming.

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.

The economic cost of increased temperaturesStudy: Warming episodes hurt poor countries and limit long-term growth.

Getting the price right on climateIMF-MIT study shows immediate — but realistic — actions are needed to confront climate change.

Survey: Latin American and Asian cities lead way in planning for global warmingU.S. cities trail when it comes to preparing for climate change.

Report: China’s actions are crucial on climate changeResearch shows China’s impact on climate change, as well as its potential to shape the path forward.

Oxygen-separation membranes could aid in CO2 reductionCeramic membranes may reduce carbon dioxide emissions from gas and coal-fired powerplants.

Communicating the climate challengeNew York Times’ Andrew Revkin shares lessons with MIT faculty, students at Earth Day colloquium.

Facing the facts about our changing climateMIT researchers join Boston Globe panel in weighing climate risks and resolutions.

Hybrid copper-gold nanoparticles convert CO2May reduce greenhouse gas emissions