A new method to detect dehydration in plants
Sensors developed by SMART researchers are capable of detecting pH changes in plant xylem enable farmers to detect drought stress up to 48 hours before visible physical symptoms manifest.
Is there enough land on Earth to fight climate change and feed the world?
Study shows how smart policies could address competing land-use needs.
Turning automotive engines into modular chemical plants to make green fuels
The MIT spinout Emvolon is placing its repurposed engines next to methane sources, to generate greener methanol and other chemicals.
“Mens et manus” in Guatemala
ASPIRE program brings MIT-style research, innovation, and entrepreneurship to Central America, sparking sustainable development by and for the people.
Making agriculture more resilient to climate change
Researchers across MIT are working on ways to boost food production and help crops survive drought.
Aspiring to sustainable development
In parallel, MIT and Universidad del Valle de Guatemala students seek to advance local innovation by and for Guatemalan communities.
Translating MIT research into real-world results
MIT’s innovation and entrepreneurship system helps launch water, food, and ag startups with social and economic benefits.
Creating connection with science communication
Sophie Hartley wants to help people learn about the importance of natural resources and land management through science writing.
D-Lab off-grid brooder saves chicks and money using locally manufactured thermal batteries
The innovation, which employs beeswax to maintain consistent heating, is the result of three years of co-design with Cameroonian poultry farmers.
Balancing economic development with natural resources protection
From scallop fishing in New Bedford to deforestation in the tropics, “our goal is to get some empirical traction on the problem,” says PhD student Aaron Berman.
Q&A: The power of tiny gardens and their role in addressing climate change
Kate Brown, MIT professor of history, discusses how ordinary people taking action in their communities can offer hope for the future.
Bringing an investigator’s eye to complex social challenges
MIT economics doctoral student Anna Russo studies how to improve the design, function, and outcomes of public policies.
Featured video: Moooving the needle on methane
MIT researchers are developing a system for reducing emissions of the potent greenhouse gas at dairy farms and other sites.
Advancing technology for aquaculture
MIT Sea Grant students apply machine learning to support local aquaculture hatcheries.
Q&A: Claire Walsh on how J-PAL’s King Climate Action Initiative tackles the twin climate and poverty crises
Since 2020, K-CAI has innovated and tested climate policies in more than 35 countries and supported scale-ups that have reached over 15 million people.