Putting Mind and Hand Toward Helping the Earth

From tracking emissions to decarbonizing industry and more, MIT alumni around the world are working to protect the life-sustaining resources of our home planet. In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, here’s a look at some of the many stories Slice of MIT has covered during the globe’s most recent orbit.

Plugging into the Power of Hydrogen

“It is important to me that the whole world has access to electricity, and we do it in a way that’s not adding to our carbon footprint.”
—Sossina M. Haile ’86, PhD ’92

Using AI to Reduce Waste in the Construction Industry

“We must make the cataloging, reuse, and assembly of materials faster and easier than the wrecking ball.”
—Catherine De Wolf SM ’14, PhD ’17

A Sustainable Alternative to Petrochemicals

“To really decarbonize at scale, we have to displace older technology.”
—Sean Hunt SM ’13, PhD ’16

Turning a Seaweed Crisis into an Energy Opportunity

“All the islands in this region of the Caribbean have a sargassum problem and a rum wastewater problem—and ultimately a climate-change problem. This solution is a win-win-win.”
—Legena Henry SM ’10

Tracking Emissions to Help Companies Reduce Their Environmental Footprint

“There’s an old adage: Unless you measure something, you can’t change it. … Our goal is to help the planet get better, faster.”
—Dan Harple SM ’13

Women in Ghana Turn Water Challenges into Opportunities

“We want to provide anyone living in a remote and rural village with a sustained and reliable water service.”
—Kate Cincotta SM ’09

Transforming Fusion from a Scientific Curiosity into a Powerful Clean Energy Source

“It's about identifying where there’s stagnation in fusion and in technology, where innovation is not happening where we desperately need it, and bringing new ideas to that.”
—Zachary Hartwig PhD ’14