As we continue to witness the inaction of the federal government regarding the crisis of climate change, we are extremely heartened to see states taking the lead. Yesterday, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic governors and the mayor of Washington, DC, made an announcement committing the states and DC to a proactive, regional policy to tackle transportation pollution.
MIT Day of Action!
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Sunday, April 15, 2018
A year ago, a group of MIT students, faculty and staff joined together to create a day of learning focused on critical issues of our times. The day provided a full calendar of lectures, panels and information sessions on topics ranging from nuclear disarmament, sustainabiilty, foreign, national and economic policy, climate change, social justice issues, activism and many more. The day was an incredible success with over 1500 people participating throughout the day and evening.
IAP: So Many Choices, So Little Time
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Thursday, January 12, 2017
During January, many of us on campus enjoy a slightly slower pace and the myriad opportunities provided by IAP (Independent Activities Period). According to the website, For over four decades, IAP has provided members of the MIT community (students, faculty, staff, and alums) with a unique opportunity to organize, sponsor and participate in a wide variety of activities, including how-to sessions, forums, athletic endeavors, lecture series, films, tours, recitals and contests.
This Thursday at 5:15, we have a great opportunity to show that the MIT community cares deeply about the ethics of climate change. This is a chance to dive deeply into these issues with other members of the MIT community and discuss how MIT can be involved in solving the catastrophic effects of climate change.
Paris Climate Talks: Now What?
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Monday, February 8, 2016
It's been nearly two months since the COP 21 negotiations in Paris concluded. Opinions of the effectiveness of the talks vary--some hailing it as a bold move toward public problem solving to others calling it a fraud. In January, Christiana Figueres, the UN climate change official who guided the negotiations for six years, sounded guardedly optimistic, saying that the agreement kindled "a huge flame of hope."
COP 21
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Now that everyone has headed home following the Paris climate talks, it's time to analyze, discuss and figure out next steps. As Bill McKibben wrote, "This agreement won't save the planet. It may have saved the chance to save the planet (if we all fight like hell in the years ahead)."
Although a group of 195 nations agreed to a landmark climate agreement, it's up to all of us to ensure that governments uphold their stated goal of allowing the earth's temperatures to rise no more than 2 degrees Celsius.
No Easy Decision
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Monday, November 16, 2015
Earlier this month, after years of debate and discussion, President Obama has said no to the Keystone XL pipeline. For us here at Radius, this decision brought a sigh of relief. When examined closely, the project had little long-term value, either economically or environmentally. As the President said, “Ultimately, if we’re going to prevent large parts of this earth from becoming not only inhospitable but uninhabitable in our lifetimes, we’re going to have to keep some fossil fuels in the ground rather than burn them and release more dangerous pollution into the sky.”
Climate Countdown!!
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Sunday, September 27, 2015
On April 28, Professor Emeritus Noam Chomsky spoke at a Radius event, Science at MIT: From the Cold War to the Climate Crisis. Concluding his remarks, Professsor Chomsky ended by commenting on MIT's possible divestiture from fossil fuels. A
Change Ahead
Posted by:
Patricia-Maria Weinmann
Friday, June 19, 2015
This past Monday, MIT's Climate Change Conversation Committee released their findingsfollowing a ten-month effort to engage the MIT community in dialogue about climate change. The "conversation" leadership team, headed by Maria Zuber, VP for Research, will review the report and make formal recommendations to President Reif.