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MIT School of Science launches Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy

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Monday, August 5, 2024

The MIT School of Science is launching a center to advance knowledge and computational capabilities in the field of sustainability science, and support decision-makers in government, industry, and civil society to achieve sustainable development goals. Aligned with the Climate Project at MIT, researchers at the MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy will develop and apply expertise from across the Institute to improve understanding of sustainability challenges, and thereby provide actionable knowledge and insight to inform strategies for improving human well-being for current and future generations.Noelle Selin, professor at MIT’s Institute for Data, Systems and Society and the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, will serve as the center’s inaugural faculty director. C. Adam Schlosser and Sergey Paltsev, senior research scientists at MIT, will serve as deputy directors, with Anne Slinn as executive director.Incorporating and succeeding both the Center for Global Change Science and Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change while adding new capabilities, the center aims to produce leading-edge research to help guide societal transitions toward a more sustainable future. Drawing on the long history of MIT’s efforts to address global change and its integrated environmental and human dimensions, the center is well-positioned to lead burgeoning global efforts to advance the field of sustainability science, which seeks to understand nature-society systems in their full complexity. This understanding is designed to be relevant and actionable for decision-makers in government, industry, and civil society in their efforts to develop viable pathways to improve quality of life for multiple stakeholders.“As critical challenges such as climate, health, energy, and food security increasingly affect people’s lives around the world, decision-makers need a better understanding of the earth in its full complexity — and that includes people, technologies, and institutions as well as environmental processes,” says Selin. “Better knowledge of these systems and how they interact can lead to more effective strategies that avoid unintended consequences and ensure an improved quality of life for all.”    Advancing knowledge, computational capability, and decision supportTo produce more precise and comprehensive knowledge of sustainability challenges and guide decision-makers to formulate more effective strategies, the center has set the following goals:Advance fundamental understanding of the complex interconnected physical and socio-economic systems that affect human well-being. As new policies and technologies are developed amid climate and other global changes, they interact with environmental processes and institutions in ways that can alter the earth’s critical life-support systems. Fundamental mechanisms that determine many of these systems’ behaviors, including those related to interacting climate, water, food, and socio-economic systems, remain largely unknown and poorly quantified. Better understanding can help society mitigate the risks of abrupt changes and “tipping points” in these systems.Develop, establish and disseminate new computational tools toward better understanding earth systems, including both environmental and human dimensions. The center’s work will integrate modeling and data analysis across disciplines in an era of increasing volumes of observational data. MIT multi-system models and data products will provide robust information to inform decision-making and shape the next generation of sustainability science and strategy.Produce actionable science that supports equity and justice within and across generations. The center’s research will be designed to inform action associated with measurable outcomes aligned with supporting human well-being across generations. This requires engaging a broad range of stakeholders, including not only nations and companies, but also nongovernmental organizations and communities that take action to promote sustainable development — with special attention to those who have historically borne the brunt of environmental injustice.“The center’s work will advance fundamental understanding in sustainability science, leverage leading-edge computing and data, and promote engagement and impact,” says Selin. “Our researchers will help lead scientists and strategists across the globe who share MIT’s commitment to mobilizing knowledge to inform action toward a more sustainable world.”Building a better world at MITBuilding on existing MIT capabilities in sustainability, science, and strategy, the center aims to: focus research, education, and outreach under a theme that reflects a comprehensive state of the field and international research directions, fostering a dynamic community of students, researchers, and faculty;raise the visibility of sustainability science at MIT, emphasizing links between science and action, in the context of existing Institute goals and other efforts on climate and sustainability, and in a way that reflects the vital contributions of a range of natural and social science disciplines to understanding human-environment systems; andre-emphasize MIT’s long-standing expertise in integrated systems modeling while leveraging the Institute’s concurrent leading-edge strengths in data and computing, establishing leadership that harnesses recent innovations, including those in machine learning and artificial intelligence, toward addressing the science challenges of global change and sustainability.“The Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy will provide the necessary synergy for our MIT researchers to develop, deploy, and scale up serious solutions to climate change and other critical sustainability challenges,” says Nergis Mavalvala the Curtis and Kathleen Marble Professor of Astrophysics and dean of the MIT School of Science. “With Professor Selin at its helm, the center will also ensure that these solutions are created in concert with the people who are directly affected now and in the future.”The center builds on more than three decades of achievements by the Center for Global Change Science and the Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, both of which were directed or co-directed by professor of atmospheric science Ronald Prinn.

New center taps Institute-wide expertise to improve understanding of, and responses to, sustainability challenges.

The MIT School of Science is launching a center to advance knowledge and computational capabilities in the field of sustainability science, and support decision-makers in government, industry, and civil society to achieve sustainable development goals. Aligned with the Climate Project at MIT, researchers at the MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy will develop and apply expertise from across the Institute to improve understanding of sustainability challenges, and thereby provide actionable knowledge and insight to inform strategies for improving human well-being for current and future generations.

Noelle Selin, professor at MIT’s Institute for Data, Systems and Society and the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, will serve as the center’s inaugural faculty director. C. Adam Schlosser and Sergey Paltsev, senior research scientists at MIT, will serve as deputy directors, with Anne Slinn as executive director.

Incorporating and succeeding both the Center for Global Change Science and Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change while adding new capabilities, the center aims to produce leading-edge research to help guide societal transitions toward a more sustainable future. Drawing on the long history of MIT’s efforts to address global change and its integrated environmental and human dimensions, the center is well-positioned to lead burgeoning global efforts to advance the field of sustainability science, which seeks to understand nature-society systems in their full complexity. This understanding is designed to be relevant and actionable for decision-makers in government, industry, and civil society in their efforts to develop viable pathways to improve quality of life for multiple stakeholders.

“As critical challenges such as climate, health, energy, and food security increasingly affect people’s lives around the world, decision-makers need a better understanding of the earth in its full complexity — and that includes people, technologies, and institutions as well as environmental processes,” says Selin. “Better knowledge of these systems and how they interact can lead to more effective strategies that avoid unintended consequences and ensure an improved quality of life for all.”    

Advancing knowledge, computational capability, and decision support

To produce more precise and comprehensive knowledge of sustainability challenges and guide decision-makers to formulate more effective strategies, the center has set the following goals:

  • Advance fundamental understanding of the complex interconnected physical and socio-economic systems that affect human well-being. As new policies and technologies are developed amid climate and other global changes, they interact with environmental processes and institutions in ways that can alter the earth’s critical life-support systems. Fundamental mechanisms that determine many of these systems’ behaviors, including those related to interacting climate, water, food, and socio-economic systems, remain largely unknown and poorly quantified. Better understanding can help society mitigate the risks of abrupt changes and “tipping points” in these systems.
  • Develop, establish and disseminate new computational tools toward better understanding earth systems, including both environmental and human dimensions. The center’s work will integrate modeling and data analysis across disciplines in an era of increasing volumes of observational data. MIT multi-system models and data products will provide robust information to inform decision-making and shape the next generation of sustainability science and strategy.
  • Produce actionable science that supports equity and justice within and across generations. The center’s research will be designed to inform action associated with measurable outcomes aligned with supporting human well-being across generations. This requires engaging a broad range of stakeholders, including not only nations and companies, but also nongovernmental organizations and communities that take action to promote sustainable development — with special attention to those who have historically borne the brunt of environmental injustice.

“The center’s work will advance fundamental understanding in sustainability science, leverage leading-edge computing and data, and promote engagement and impact,” says Selin. “Our researchers will help lead scientists and strategists across the globe who share MIT’s commitment to mobilizing knowledge to inform action toward a more sustainable world.”

Building a better world at MIT

Building on existing MIT capabilities in sustainability, science, and strategy, the center aims to: 

  • focus research, education, and outreach under a theme that reflects a comprehensive state of the field and international research directions, fostering a dynamic community of students, researchers, and faculty;
  • raise the visibility of sustainability science at MIT, emphasizing links between science and action, in the context of existing Institute goals and other efforts on climate and sustainability, and in a way that reflects the vital contributions of a range of natural and social science disciplines to understanding human-environment systems; and
  • re-emphasize MIT’s long-standing expertise in integrated systems modeling while leveraging the Institute’s concurrent leading-edge strengths in data and computing, establishing leadership that harnesses recent innovations, including those in machine learning and artificial intelligence, toward addressing the science challenges of global change and sustainability.

“The Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy will provide the necessary synergy for our MIT researchers to develop, deploy, and scale up serious solutions to climate change and other critical sustainability challenges,” says Nergis Mavalvala the Curtis and Kathleen Marble Professor of Astrophysics and dean of the MIT School of Science. “With Professor Selin at its helm, the center will also ensure that these solutions are created in concert with the people who are directly affected now and in the future.”

The center builds on more than three decades of achievements by the Center for Global Change Science and the Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, both of which were directed or co-directed by professor of atmospheric science Ronald Prinn.

Read the full story here.
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January 6, 20252 min readBiden Awards Three Climate Experts Nation’s Highest Science HonorRichard Alley, Lawrence Edwards and David Tilman were among the two dozen honorees who received the National Medal of Science or the National Medal of Technology and Innovation last weekBy Chelsea Harvey & E&E News Rhône Glacier, the source of the river of the same name, is located in the Swiss Alps. Like many other alpine glaciers around the world, it has retreated significantly in the last 150 years as global temperatures rise. GmbH & Co. KG/Alamy Stock PhotoCLIMATEWIRE | The White House recognized more than two dozen scientists and innovators Friday with what will likely be the Biden administration's last National Medals of Science and National Medals of Technology and Innovation.The awards honored researchers ranging from astrophysicists and oncologists, as well as the pharmaceutical companies that developed the mRNA vaccines for Covid-19. Three climate and environmental scientists were included in the bunch.Richard Alley, a geoscientist at Pennsylvania State University, received a National Medal of Science for his decades of research on melting glaciers and ice sheets, sea-level rise and other climate impacts.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.“Spending long tours in the most remote and extreme environments on Earth, Richard Alley has catapulted climate predictions to great heights and raised new urgency to address the climate crisis, moving the world toward a sustainable future,” said Kei Koizumi, principal deputy director for science, society and policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, who announced the awards.Also recognized was R. Lawrence Edwards, a climate scientist at the University of Minnesota. Edwards was awarded a National Medal of Science for his work on reconstructing the planet’s climate history dating back to the prehistoric ages.“Lawrence Edward’s innovative research methods shed light on the rate, scale and drivers of climate change and the impact on human civilization, defining him as one of the most celebrated earth scientists of our time,” Koizumi said.G. David Tilman, an ecologist at the University of Minnesota, also received a National Medal of Science for his research on biodiversity and conservation, including the ways that the planet’s diversity of life helps bolster ecosystems against environmental disturbances like climate change.“David Tilman’s work proves the extraordinary variety of life that exists on Earth is essential to productive ecosystems, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and more, helping to feed and power the world while making conservation both a strategic and moral calling,” Koizumi said.Altogether, the White House awarded 14 National Medals of Science and 11 National Medals of Technology and Innovation.“This year’s honorees represent a simple truth as I’ve always believed. America can be defined by a single word: possibilities,” Biden said at the ceremony on Friday. “That’s who we are: a nation of possibilities.”Reprinted from E&E News with permission from POLITICO, LLC. Copyright 2025. E&E News provides essential news for energy and environment professionals.

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Meet the Tiny, Adorable Owls That Have Mastered the Art of Hiding

One of the smallest owls in North America, the northern saw-whet lives among us and is rarely seen—but one volunteer science project aims to find them and uncover their secrets year after year

The birds weigh about as much as a bar of soap. That’s how Melissa Boyle Acuti describes the northern saw-whet owl, the smallest owl species found in Maryland and one of the smallest in North America. They’re hardly bigger than a fist with a ping pong ball on top, she adds. During the fall in Edgewater, Maryland, a small group of volunteers helps catch and band these little owls from sunset to midnight. They’re participating in Project Owlnet, an initiative that seeks to learn more about these birds and their migration and that supports an ever-expanding network of migrant owl banding stations. Boyle Acuti is the banding station manager for Project Owlnet’s site at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater. She leads the participants through the project’s processes. The group uses an audio lure to entice the birds, capturing them in mist nets to bring back to the banding station. 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People on TikTok touted that the homemade sip helped them slip into slumber more easily. But evidence that it works is up in the air. That said, one of the ingredients, magnesium, has been shown to play a role in sleep. The mineral can help relax muscles and affect pathways in the brain that stabilize mood and anxiety. Magnesium supplements can be found at local drugstores—but some types can act as a laxative that can disrupt sleep.Koldunova_Anna/Getty ImagesSleeping on the Floor Could Benefit Your Back—SometimesPeople have been sleeping on the floor for centuries—and for some cultures today, it’s important to well-being. Some people with certain back ailments also could find floor sleeping particularly helpful.According to some physiotherapists, lying flat on your back, splayed out like a starfish, or tucking your knees up with your back on the floor helps stretch and take pressure off your back. The firmness of the floor might also give more support than a very soft mattress.Many experts agree that the practice isn’t appropriate for every back condition, however. The flatness of floors could lead to joint stiffness, put more pressure on hips and buttocks or reduce the curved shape of your spine, which can result in back pain.Sleeping Solo Might Be Better for You—And Your PartnerA 2023 survey found that up to a third of couples in the U.S. got a “sleep divorce,” a trend that further caught on this year as more people, including celebrities, shared that they are choosing to sleep separately from partners for a better night’s rest.Some evidence suggests that sleeping alone might be better for some couples. A lot of it has to do with differences in sleep compatibility. Research has shown that people with differing sleep schedules, such as night-shift workers and day-shift workers, can have poor sleep if they share a bed, and sleeping with a heavy snorer is more likely to cause fatigue and daytime sleepiness the next day. Researchers note, though, that there are benefits to co-sleeping—it can provide comfort and emotional support, which can relieve stress.Remedies for When Anxiety Keeps You AwakeMany people lost sleep over the stress of this year’s U.S. presidential election—and some may still be lying awake with anxiety. Any stressful event can disrupt sleep quality, but experts say there are actionable tips people can use:Before bed, put away screens, and try to avoid doomscrolling, or overconsuming news—stop when you feel informed. If you’re feeling amped up or angry, de-escalate before getting into bed. Whether it’s practicing meditation, drinking a warm beverage, doing a puzzle or knitting, do an activity that gets you into state of sleepiness first—no matter what time it is. Using a lesson from cognitive behavioral therapy, try to turn negative thoughts into positive ones by focusing on things you’re grateful for, says Sally Ibrahim, a sleep physician at the University Hospitals health system in northeastern Ohio.“If I practice it over and over again, those thoughts will in turn calm me down. It gives me peace and joy,” she says. “And those are the kinds of things that help not only our mental health but sleep.”

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Injuries from Electric Bikes and Electric Scooters Have Tripled. Here’s What to Know

Following a startling spike in electric scooter and e-bike injuries, epidemiologists warn of inadequate infrastructure and safety rules

December 11, 20242 min readInjuries from Electric Bikes and Scooters Have Tripled. Here’s What to KnowFollowing a startling spike in electric scooter and e-bike injuries, epidemiologists warn of inadequate infrastructure and safety rulesBy Ben GuarinoEmergency department visits involving e-scooters have risen dramatically in recent years, according to a new analysis of a database representing U.S. hospitals. Electric scooters and electric bikes have become a common sight in U.S. streets—and, in some cities, on the sidewalks, too. As a general rule, whenever a new kind of vehicle become ubiquitous, injuries tend to follow. Emergency department visits involving these so-called electric micromobility machines tripled in the U.S. between 2019 and 2022, according to a study published this week in the journal Injury Prevention. Men were injured in e-vehicle accidents more frequently than women. And among age groups in such injuries, children and teenagers were the most likely to be under the influence of alcohol.“The tripling of injuries between 2019 and 2022 underscores the rapid adoption of these devices,” says Akshaya Bhagavathula, an associate professor of epidemiology at North Dakota State University and a co-author of the new study. It is also a consequence, he says, of a COVID-era trend in which travelers sought alternatives to public transportation. Small e-vehicles do offer perks such as avoiding traffic and, potentially, helping the planet: The battery-powered engines used in these machines are greener than their combustion equivalents, though net environmental benefits depend on how these vehicles are used.Despite the popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters, “infrastructure, safety regulations and awareness regarding the risks of impaired riding” have not kept up, Bhagavathula says. The epidemiologist and his colleagues searched the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a representative database of emergency departments in U.S. hospitals, and found 4,020 visits related to these vehicles in the study’s four-year window. That works out to estimates of 279,990 emergency department visits for e-scooter injuries and 16,600 such visits for e-bike injuries nationwide, the authors say.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.About 10 percent of the total micromobility injuries were associated with the use of alcohol or of alcohol plus drugs. Compared with adults under age 40, children ages 10 to 17 (the youngest cohort studied) had 7.5 times greater odds of these emergency department visits that involved drinking. “As we know, alcohol and [drug] use impair judgement, coordination and balance, significantly [increasing] the risk of injuries,” Bhagavathula says.E-scooter injuries showed the most dramatic rise, from 521 in 2019 to 1,362 in 2022. This corresponds to an estimated nationwide increase from about 20,000 in 2019 to 63,000 in 2022. These devices have “vehicle-specific vulnerabilities,” Bhagavathula says, noting that their relatively small wheels can make them less stable than, for example, traditional bicycles.These findings are in line with other recent reports that describe similar increases. A study published in JAMA Network Open in July found that, from 2017 to 2022, e-bike injuries doubled, and e-scooter injuries increased by 45 percent annually. Meanwhile injuries from human-powered bicycles and scooters remained mostly flat.After lower limbs, heads were the most frequently injured body part tracked in the new study. Not enough riders wear helmets, which is a critical issue, Bhagavathula notes. “Public safety campaigns and local regulations encouraging helmet use could greatly mitigate these risks,” he says, adding that e-mobility companies could do more to promote wearing the proper gear, too.

Science
Transportation

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