MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative

It's here: MIT's 24-Hour Challenge! We're incredibly proud of the scope of environmental initiatives that we pursue at the ESI with regard to both research and education. We also know that many of them wouldn't be possible without support from our communities. Below, we've highlighted some of our greatest accomplishments from these areas, including: Arts and Climate, Cities and Climate, Climate Justice, Mining and the Circular Economy, Natural Climate Solutions, and education. While the ESI's programs will be reorganized and resettled across the Institute at the end of June in order to maximize their reach and streamline the collective effort that MIT is making in tacking environmental issues, funding will help seed this work as it grows across MIT. If you're intested in supporting environmental research and education — especially at a time when an urgent response to climate change is needed —?please consider donating to the ESI: https://lnkd.in/ePbsQ5f6 #MIT24

As we near the day of MIT's 24-Hour Challenge (Thursday, March 13), we'd like to reflect on what the ESI is and the impactful work that we do. To break down our scope a bit: ?? The MIT ESI hosts five research programs — Arts and Climate, Cities and Climate, Mining and the Circular Economy, Natural Climate Solutions, and Climate Justice. ??We house MIT's environment and sustainability (E&S) minor, as well as the Martin Family Society of Fellows for Sustainability. The ESI's work will be reorganized and resettled across the Institute at the end of June, maximizing their reach across the institute and streamlining the collective effort that MIT is making in environmental work. Funding will help seed our work as our programs grow across MIT. Join us in this next exciting phase of work for the planet, people and prosperity. If you are interested in supporting environmental research and education — especially at a time when an urgent response to climate change is needed — please consider donating to the ESI and bookmark our micro challenge page for March 13th: https://lnkd.in/ePbsQ5f6 #MIT24 MIT Alumni Association

In January 2025, a delegation from MIT—including ESI’s research program director, Marcela Angel Lalinde, and Marco Herndon, research associate in the Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) program—traveled to the Peruvian Amazon to explore sustainable bioeconomies and conservation efforts. The weeklong journey was organized by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative (ESI) in collaboration with Peru’s University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC) and Amanatari, a Peruvian nonprofit dedicated to fostering sustainable businesses that benefit local communities and protect Amazonian biodiversity.? MIT’s delegation—which included faculty and researchers with expertise in urban planning, international development, Indigenous-based planning, and environmental engineering—joined Amanatari to gain firsthand insights into the potential and structural challenges of the bioeconomy. They engaged with local communities involved in sustainable biobusinesses, such as stingless beekeeping and the production of aguaje oil and fibers.

?? Exciting News: Amazonian Convergence 2025! ?? I'm thrilled to invite you to a groundbreaking event: "Amazonian Convergence 2025: Intersectoral Innovation for the Conservation of the Amazon's Last Great Flying River" hosted by the Embassy of Colombia in Washington D.C., Cancillería de Colombia organized by Fundación Gaia Amazonas and the #NorthAmazonianAlliance. ?? Date: March 4, 2025 ?? Venue: First Session - OAS Headquarters in Washington D.C. Second Session - Embassy of Colombia in Washington D.C. ?? Live streaming: @ColombiaEmbUSA on YouTube and X. This crucial event brings together leaders from various sectors to discuss the future of the Amazon and its vital role in global environmental, economic, and water security. ???? Highlights: ?? Session 1 (8:00 AM): Panels on Water and Multidimensional Security, and Innovative Financial Mechanisms ?? Session 2 (2:00 PM): Conversations on the Amazon's Future and Expanding Perceptions of Intersectoral Collaboration. Together, we'll identify opportunities for collaboration between the international private sector and other key actors to activate an intersectoral planning route aimed at presenting a multi-stakeholder vision to the Presidents of Amazonian countries during the Amazon Summit in August 2025, as well as contributing to other instances of inter-institutional and intercultural planning and collaboration that share this same objective. ???? We'll be joined by major sector leaders and multisectoral allied speakers, including representatives from Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA), Organización del Tratado de Cooperación Amazónica - OTCA, WWF, The World Bank Bank, Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo Blue Green Future and more. ???? #DanielGarcíaPe?a #LuisErnestoVargas #LuisAlmagro #MartinvonHildebrand Germán Poveda Marcela Angel Lalinde Wade Davis Camilo Santa Juan Carlos Losada #JulioCesarEstrada Svetlana Klimenko Meg Symington Ralph Chami Mark Lambrides Pablo Abba Vieira Samper Verónica Gálmez Márquez Alejandro Calderon #EnriqueOrtiz #RodrigoVelozo Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to the future of the #Amazonia and our planet by listening to these conversations that weave networks and awareness. ???? Together, we can make a difference! ???? #AmazonianConvergence2025 #ProtectTheAmazon ?? Download the full agenda now to see all the exciting sessions and speakers!

?? We are thrilled to announce that?Scott Odell from the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative?will be the moderator for the panel?"Critical Minerals: Innovations in Sourcing and Recycling"?at the?MIT Energy Conference 2025! Scott, a Program Scientist at the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, will lead this critical discussion on sustainable sourcing, recycling breakthroughs, and their role in powering the clean energy future. ???? ?? Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how innovation is transforming the critical minerals landscape. ?? Ticket Link in comments #MITEnergyConference2025 #CriticalMinerals #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #Innovation

Calling all #educators! ?????? MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative and HEET are hosting a free, hybrid professional development session on ?Tuesday, March 4th from 4 - 6 pm EST? about heating ?? and cooling ?? with geothermal energy networks. Concepts of earth sciences ??, heat transfer, and geothermal energy ? are underrepresented in curriculum, but crucial for an ethical ?? and efficient??energy transition. Sign up here ?? https://lnkd.in/gkPQZCXD This is part of MIT Open Learning’s Day of Climate, a new initiative designed to equip K-12 learners and their educators with free, concise, hands-on ??? educational materials and tools to better understand climate change, its impacts, and potential solutions. Learn more in the attached photos or at https://lnkd.in/gqHRxkyd Feel free to share with your network, colleagues, and fellow educators! ?? Let us know if you have any thoughts, questions, or ideas!?? #climateeducation #climateaction #climatechange #DayofClimate #k12 #teachers #geothermal #TENs Boston Public Schools Cambridge Public Schools Gloucester Public Schools Somerville Public Schools UndauntedK12 SubjectToClimate Boston Green Academy Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) Consumer Energy Education Foundation (CEEF) Chris Rabe Angie Alberto Escobar Rebecca Brenneis, PhD Isabel Varela Andrew Iliff Curt Newton Patty McGaffigan Joe Diaz

The ESI recently published an article on glaciers and mining research. ?? The paper — titled "From obstacles to heritage: The shifting status of glaciers across 150 years of mining research" — was written by Caroline White-Nockleby (Research Assistant, MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative) and Scott Odell (Program Scientist, MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative). It examines how the cryosphere is deteriorating due to climate change, while the mining of critical minerals is expanding to supply the clean energy transition, often in glaciated regions. The convergence of these trends is explored through a systematic review of 93 articles from 1875 to 2023. This work was also supported by J-WAFS at MIT.

The ESI celebrates a new publication this week! ?? The paper — titled "Unsettling the Status Quo: Embedding Environmental Justice in Tech-Centered Environmental Education" — was written by Sanjana Paul (Executive Director, Earth Hacks, Co-Founder, Rooted Futures Lab), Chris Rabe (Education Program Director, MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative), and Camille Minns (Deputy Director, Earth Hacks, Co-Founder, Rooted Futures Lab). It explores the integration of Environmental Justice (EJ) frameworks into technology-focused environmental education, addressing systemic inequalities in technology development and environmental degradation. By embedding EJ principles into curricula, the authors propose a pedagogical framework that emphasizes active inclusion, participatory design, diverse epistemologies, and meaningful community engagement.

Boston/Cambridge friends & colleagues - join us at the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative to discuss higher education and its role in transformative climate justice Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 4:30-6:00 pm in Building 32-141 (MIT Stata Center). Thrilled to be introduced by John E. Fernández, director of the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, and to be in conversation with Oreskes Naomi Naomi, the Henry Charles Lea Professor of the History of Science and Affiliated Professor of Earth & Planetary Sciences at Harvard University. Books will be available for sale on site by the MIT Press Bookstore Register here https://lnkd.in/ePVBNVx2

Amid the worsening climate crisis and intensifying inequities, higher education can play a powerful role in addressing the intersecting crises facing humanity. Institutions of higher education hold untapped potential to advance social justice and reduce climate injustices. However, universities are not yet structured to accelerate social change for the public good. In her book "Climate Justice and the University," Jennie C. Stephens, Professor of Climate Justice at the National University of Ireland Maynooth and a professor at Northeastern University (currently on leave), reimagines the potential of higher education to advance human well-being and promote ecological health. She'll be talking about this and more on Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 4:30-6:00 pm in Building 32-141 (MIT Stata Center). Here, she'll be introduced by John E. Fernández, director of the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, and converse with Oreskes Naomi, the Henry Charles Lea Professor of the History of Science and Affiliated Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University. Books will be available for sale on site by the MIT Press Bookstore. Register now to secure your spot!