CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" class="no-js"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <meta name="description" content="New research examines the “revolution” in the study of deforestation brought about by satellites, and analyzing which kinds of policies might limit climate-altering deforestation." /> <meta name="keywords" content="Deforestation economics, deforestation policy, reforestation policy, Amazon deforestation, Indonesia deforestation, Democratic Republic of Congo reforestation, Ben Olken, Clare Balboni, REDD, Payments for Environmental Services, Real-Time System for Detection of Deforestation, Studying deforestation" /> <meta name="news_keywords" content="Deforestation economics, deforestation policy, reforestation policy, Amazon deforestation, Indonesia deforestation, Democratic Republic of Congo reforestation, Ben Olken, Clare Balboni, REDD, Payments for Environmental Services, Real-Time System for Detection of Deforestation, Studying deforestation" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@mit" /> <meta property="twitter:site:id" content="15460048" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta property="twitter:title" content="How to tackle the global deforestation crisis" /> <meta property="twitter:image" content="https://news.mit.edu/sites/default/files/images/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-01-press.jpg" /> <meta property="fb:page_id" content="126533127390327" /> <meta property="og:title" content="How to tackle the global deforestation crisis" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://news.mit.edu/sites/default/files/images/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-01-press.jpg" /> <meta property="og:description" content="New research examines the “revolution” in the study of deforestation brought about by satellites, and analyzing which kinds of policies might limit climate-altering deforestation." /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://news.mit.edu/2023/tackling-global-deforestation-crisis-0919" /> <meta property="og:author" content="Peter Dizikes | MIT News" /> <link rel="image_src" href="https://news.mit.edu/sites/default/files/images/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-01-press.jpg" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://news.mit.edu/2023/tackling-global-deforestation-crisis-0919" /> <title>How to tackle the global deforestation crisis | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology</title> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/mit/assets/img/favicon/favicon.ico" sizes="32x32"> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/mit/assets/img/favicon/favicon.svg" type="image/svg+xml"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/themes/mit/assets/img/favicon/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="manifest" href="/themes/mit/assets/img/favicon/manifest.webmanifest"> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/core/modules/views/css/views.module.css?sr9zlq" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/paragraphs/css/paragraphs.unpublished.css?sr9zlq" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/mit/assets/css/main.css?sr9zlq" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/themes/mit/assets/css/print.css?sr9zlq" /> <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-KDTCBZD');</script> </head> <body class="news-article"> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-KDTCBZD" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <a href="#main" class="skip-to-content">Skip to content ↓</a> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <section class="tle-header"> <div class="tle-logo"> <div class="tle-logo-mit"> <a class="logo-mit" href="http://web.mit.edu"> <svg class="mit-logo-name" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="400" height="92.249" viewBox="0 0 400 92.249"> <path class="mit-logo-name--color" id="mit_lockup_std-three-line_rgb_black" d="M349.2,160l3.389,12.047c.4,1.544.805,3.087,1.074,4.362.168.738.3,1.443.436,2.114h.067c.134-.671.268-1.376.436-2.114.268-1.275.6-2.819,1.04-4.362L359.028,160h6.946v23.993h-4.53V170.235c0-.973,0-2.181.1-3.221.034-.57.067-1.175.1-1.745h-.067c-.1.57-.235,1.107-.336,1.644-.235.94-.47,2.013-.7,2.92l-4.128,14.161h-4.664l-4.027-14.161c-.268-.906-.47-1.98-.7-2.92-.1-.537-.235-1.074-.336-1.644h-.067c.034.57.067,1.174.1,1.745.034,1.04.1,2.248.1,3.221v13.758H342.35V160Zm30.2,22.081h-.067a4.582,4.582,0,0,1-1.745,1.644,7.24,7.24,0,0,1-3.322.671c-3.557,0-6.007-1.812-6.007-5.268a4.437,4.437,0,0,1,2.013-3.993,11.88,11.88,0,0,1,4.9-1.544c2.886-.4,4.161-.638,4.161-1.946,0-1.275-.94-2.047-2.886-2.047-2.148,0-3.188.738-3.322,2.416h-4.06a5.254,5.254,0,0,1,1.879-3.96,8.256,8.256,0,0,1,5.537-1.711c5.168,0,7.248,2.282,7.248,6.342v8.758c0,1.309.2,2.081.6,2.383v.168h-4.4A4.838,4.838,0,0,1,379.4,182.081Zm-1.007-1.913a3.022,3.022,0,0,0,1.04-2.248v-2.584a11.133,11.133,0,0,1-3.188,1.007c-2.416.537-3.557,1.074-3.557,2.685s1.074,2.181,2.685,2.181A4.375,4.375,0,0,0,378.391,180.168Zm6.946-1.745h4.228c.3,2.013,1.678,2.852,3.758,2.852,2.013,0,3.154-.772,3.154-1.98,0-.805-.57-1.275-1.376-1.577a25.006,25.006,0,0,0-3.154-.7,11.258,11.258,0,0,1-4.195-1.409,4.154,4.154,0,0,1-1.913-3.792,4.8,4.8,0,0,1,2.047-4.161,8.5,8.5,0,0,1,4.966-1.342c4.6,0,7.014,2.181,7.383,5.7h-4.128c-.235-1.879-1.342-2.517-3.322-2.517-1.812,0-2.953.638-2.953,1.913,0,.772.57,1.141,1.477,1.409.872.3,2.047.436,3.255.7a12.029,12.029,0,0,1,4.128,1.409,4.474,4.474,0,0,1,1.946,4.027,4.843,4.843,0,0,1-2.013,4.06,8.875,8.875,0,0,1-5.235,1.477C388.357,184.5,385.606,182.114,385.337,178.423Zm16.308,0h4.228c.3,2.013,1.678,2.852,3.758,2.852,2.013,0,3.154-.772,3.154-1.98,0-.805-.571-1.275-1.376-1.577a25.011,25.011,0,0,0-3.154-.7,11.259,11.259,0,0,1-4.195-1.409,4.154,4.154,0,0,1-1.913-3.792,4.8,4.8,0,0,1,2.047-4.161,8.5,8.5,0,0,1,4.966-1.342c4.6,0,7.013,2.181,7.383,5.7h-4.128c-.235-1.879-1.342-2.517-3.322-2.517-1.812,0-2.953.638-2.953,1.913,0,.772.57,1.141,1.477,1.409.873.3,2.047.436,3.255.7A12.029,12.029,0,0,1,415,174.933a4.474,4.474,0,0,1,1.946,4.027,4.843,4.843,0,0,1-2.013,4.06A8.875,8.875,0,0,1,409.7,184.5C404.666,184.5,401.914,182.114,401.646,178.423Zm27.684,3.658h-.067a4.582,4.582,0,0,1-1.745,1.644,7.24,7.24,0,0,1-3.322.671c-3.557,0-6.007-1.812-6.007-5.268a4.437,4.437,0,0,1,2.013-3.993,11.88,11.88,0,0,1,4.9-1.544c2.886-.4,4.161-.638,4.161-1.946,0-1.275-.94-2.047-2.886-2.047-2.148,0-3.188.738-3.322,2.416h-4.06a5.254,5.254,0,0,1,1.879-3.96,8.256,8.256,0,0,1,5.537-1.711c5.168,0,7.248,2.282,7.248,6.342v8.758c0,1.309.2,2.081.6,2.383v.168h-4.4A4.838,4.838,0,0,1,429.33,182.081Zm-1.007-1.913a3.022,3.022,0,0,0,1.04-2.248v-2.584a11.134,11.134,0,0,1-3.188,1.007c-2.416.537-3.557,1.074-3.557,2.685s1.074,2.181,2.685,2.181A4.375,4.375,0,0,0,428.323,180.168Zm9.564,1.678A9.189,9.189,0,0,1,435.5,175.4a9.466,9.466,0,0,1,2.349-6.477,8.218,8.218,0,0,1,6.242-2.617,8.37,8.37,0,0,1,5.369,1.745,7.372,7.372,0,0,1,2.45,4.564h-4.463a3.1,3.1,0,0,0-3.154-2.651c-2.785,0-4.161,2.047-4.161,5.436,0,3.289,1.275,5.436,4.094,5.436a3.171,3.171,0,0,0,3.456-2.919h4.4a6.8,6.8,0,0,1-2.248,4.631,8.066,8.066,0,0,1-5.5,1.946A8.521,8.521,0,0,1,437.887,181.846Zm20.638-12.819a5.423,5.423,0,0,1,5-2.718,5.606,5.606,0,0,1,4.3,1.812,6.833,6.833,0,0,1,1.644,4.631v11.242H464.9V173.423a2.832,2.832,0,0,0-2.987-3.154c-2.013,0-3.49,1.577-3.49,3.96v9.765H453.86V160h4.564v9.027Zm24.43,12.953h-.1a5.524,5.524,0,0,1-4.933,2.483c-3.859,0-5.973-2.383-5.973-6.208V166.779h4.53v10.7c0,2.013.872,3.121,2.852,3.121,2.148,0,3.456-1.611,3.456-3.893v-9.933h4.564v17.215h-4.4Zm6.074-3.557h4.228c.3,2.013,1.678,2.852,3.758,2.852,2.013,0,3.154-.772,3.154-1.98,0-.805-.571-1.275-1.376-1.577a25.007,25.007,0,0,0-3.154-.7,11.258,11.258,0,0,1-4.195-1.409,4.154,4.154,0,0,1-1.913-3.792,4.8,4.8,0,0,1,2.047-4.161,8.5,8.5,0,0,1,4.966-1.342c4.6,0,7.013,2.181,7.383,5.7H499.8c-.235-1.879-1.342-2.517-3.322-2.517-1.812,0-2.953.638-2.953,1.913,0,.772.57,1.141,1.477,1.409.872.3,2.047.436,3.255.7a12.03,12.03,0,0,1,4.128,1.409,4.475,4.475,0,0,1,1.946,4.027,4.843,4.843,0,0,1-2.013,4.06,8.875,8.875,0,0,1-5.235,1.477C492.048,184.5,489.3,182.114,489.028,178.423Zm18.791,3.423a9.229,9.229,0,0,1-2.316-6.477,9.342,9.342,0,0,1,2.383-6.443,8.131,8.131,0,0,1,6.108-2.617,7.577,7.577,0,0,1,6.309,2.886,11.949,11.949,0,0,1,2.181,7.483H510c.369,2.685,1.779,4.3,4.4,4.3a3.187,3.187,0,0,0,3.322-2.114h4.5a6.656,6.656,0,0,1-2.45,3.96,8.512,8.512,0,0,1-5.336,1.678A8.693,8.693,0,0,1,507.819,181.846Zm2.248-8.322h7.651a3.59,3.59,0,0,0-3.658-3.691C511.645,169.832,510.47,171.242,510.068,173.524Zm15.369-6.745v-5.369H529.9v5.369h2.953v3.188H529.9v8.96c0,1.309.671,1.711,1.711,1.711h.872a2.214,2.214,0,0,0,.47-.034v3.356a5.206,5.206,0,0,1-.738.033c-.5.034-1.208.034-2.114.034a5.442,5.442,0,0,1-3.154-.839,3.747,3.747,0,0,1-1.51-3.289v-9.933h-2.383v-3.188Zm10.6,0v-5.369H540.5v5.369h2.953v3.188H540.5v8.96c0,1.309.671,1.711,1.711,1.711h.873a2.215,2.215,0,0,0,.47-.034v3.356a5.209,5.209,0,0,1-.738.033c-.5.034-1.208.034-2.114.034a5.443,5.443,0,0,1-3.154-.839,3.747,3.747,0,0,1-1.51-3.289v-9.933h-2.383v-3.188Zm8.657,11.644h4.228c.3,2.013,1.678,2.852,3.758,2.852,2.013,0,3.154-.772,3.154-1.98,0-.805-.57-1.275-1.376-1.577a25,25,0,0,0-3.154-.7,11.259,11.259,0,0,1-4.195-1.409,4.154,4.154,0,0,1-1.913-3.792,4.8,4.8,0,0,1,2.047-4.161,8.5,8.5,0,0,1,4.966-1.342c4.6,0,7.014,2.181,7.383,5.7H555.47c-.235-1.879-1.342-2.517-3.322-2.517-1.812,0-2.953.638-2.953,1.913,0,.772.57,1.141,1.476,1.409.873.3,2.047.436,3.255.7a12.03,12.03,0,0,1,4.128,1.409A4.474,4.474,0,0,1,560,178.96a4.843,4.843,0,0,1-2.013,4.06,8.875,8.875,0,0,1-5.235,1.477C547.718,184.5,544.966,182.114,544.7,178.423ZM347.216,191.192v23.993H342.35V191.192Zm7.718,9.128a5.5,5.5,0,0,1,5.1-2.819,5.605,5.605,0,0,1,4.3,1.812,6.832,6.832,0,0,1,1.644,4.631v11.242h-4.564V204.615a2.832,2.832,0,0,0-2.987-3.154c-2.013,0-3.49,1.577-3.49,3.96v9.765H350.37V197.97h4.463v2.349Zm12.584,9.3h4.228c.3,2.013,1.678,2.852,3.758,2.852,2.013,0,3.154-.772,3.154-1.98,0-.805-.57-1.275-1.376-1.577a25.015,25.015,0,0,0-3.154-.7,11.26,11.26,0,0,1-4.195-1.409A4.154,4.154,0,0,1,368.021,203a4.8,4.8,0,0,1,2.047-4.161,8.5,8.5,0,0,1,4.966-1.342c4.6,0,7.014,2.181,7.383,5.7H378.29c-.235-1.879-1.342-2.517-3.322-2.517-1.812,0-2.953.638-2.953,1.913,0,.772.57,1.141,1.477,1.409.873.3,2.047.436,3.255.7a12.028,12.028,0,0,1,4.127,1.409,4.474,4.474,0,0,1,1.946,4.027,4.843,4.843,0,0,1-2.013,4.06,8.875,8.875,0,0,1-5.235,1.477C370.538,215.688,367.787,213.306,367.518,209.615Zm18.188-11.644V192.6h4.463v5.369h2.953v3.188h-2.953v8.96c0,1.309.671,1.711,1.711,1.711h.872a2.217,2.217,0,0,0,.47-.034v3.356a5.2,5.2,0,0,1-.738.034c-.5.034-1.208.034-2.114.034a5.443,5.443,0,0,1-3.154-.839,3.747,3.747,0,0,1-1.51-3.289v-9.933h-2.383V197.97Zm14.127-6.141v4.094h-4.564v-4.094Zm0,6.141v17.215h-4.564V197.97Zm4.128,0V192.6h4.463v5.369h2.953v3.188h-2.953v8.96c0,1.309.671,1.711,1.711,1.711h.873a2.216,2.216,0,0,0,.47-.034v3.356a5.2,5.2,0,0,1-.738.034c-.5.034-1.208.034-2.114.034a5.442,5.442,0,0,1-3.154-.839,3.747,3.747,0,0,1-1.51-3.289v-9.933h-2.383V197.97Zm20.436,15.2h-.1a5.524,5.524,0,0,1-4.933,2.483c-3.859,0-5.973-2.383-5.973-6.208V197.97h4.53v10.7c0,2.013.872,3.121,2.852,3.121,2.148,0,3.456-1.611,3.456-3.893V197.97h4.564v17.215h-4.4Zm8.524-15.2V192.6h4.463v5.369h2.953v3.188h-2.953v8.96c0,1.309.671,1.711,1.711,1.711h.872a2.217,2.217,0,0,0,.47-.034v3.356a5.2,5.2,0,0,1-.738.034c-.5.034-1.208.034-2.114.034a5.443,5.443,0,0,1-3.154-.839,3.747,3.747,0,0,1-1.51-3.289v-9.933h-2.383V197.97Zm10.873,15.067a9.228,9.228,0,0,1-2.316-6.477,9.343,9.343,0,0,1,2.383-6.443,8.131,8.131,0,0,1,6.107-2.618,7.577,7.577,0,0,1,6.309,2.886,11.95,11.95,0,0,1,2.181,7.483H445.974c.369,2.685,1.779,4.3,4.4,4.3a3.186,3.186,0,0,0,3.322-2.114h4.5a6.656,6.656,0,0,1-2.45,3.96,8.512,8.512,0,0,1-5.336,1.678A8.693,8.693,0,0,1,443.793,213.037Zm2.248-8.322h7.651a3.59,3.59,0,0,0-3.658-3.691C447.618,201.024,446.444,202.433,446.041,204.715Zm21.443,8.322a9,9,0,0,1-2.517-6.443,9.133,9.133,0,0,1,2.517-6.477,8.865,8.865,0,0,1,6.477-2.618,9,9,0,0,1,6.51,2.618,9.254,9.254,0,0,1,2.483,6.477,9.113,9.113,0,0,1-2.483,6.443,8.892,8.892,0,0,1-6.51,2.651A8.759,8.759,0,0,1,467.484,213.037Zm10.839-6.443c0-3.389-1.544-5.638-4.362-5.638s-4.362,2.248-4.362,5.638c0,3.356,1.544,5.6,4.362,5.6S478.323,209.95,478.323,206.594Zm7.55-8.624v-1.544a4.716,4.716,0,0,1,2.181-4.362,8.937,8.937,0,0,1,5.47-.839v3.524c-2.148-.1-3.087.134-3.087,1.946v1.275h3.087v3.289h-3.087v13.926h-4.564V201.259h-2.349V197.97ZM354.431,222.383v4.094h-7.215v19.9H342.35v-19.9h-7.215v-4.094Zm-.5,21.846a9.228,9.228,0,0,1-2.316-6.477,9.343,9.343,0,0,1,2.383-6.443,8.131,8.131,0,0,1,6.108-2.618,7.577,7.577,0,0,1,6.309,2.886,11.949,11.949,0,0,1,2.181,7.483H356.109c.369,2.685,1.779,4.3,4.4,4.3a3.186,3.186,0,0,0,3.322-2.114h4.5a6.656,6.656,0,0,1-2.45,3.96,8.512,8.512,0,0,1-5.336,1.678A8.693,8.693,0,0,1,353.928,244.229Zm2.248-8.322h7.651a3.59,3.59,0,0,0-3.658-3.691C357.753,232.215,356.579,233.625,356.176,235.907Zm15.872,8.322a9.189,9.189,0,0,1-2.383-6.443,9.465,9.465,0,0,1,2.349-6.477,8.217,8.217,0,0,1,6.242-2.618,8.37,8.37,0,0,1,5.369,1.745,7.372,7.372,0,0,1,2.45,4.564h-4.463a3.1,3.1,0,0,0-3.154-2.651c-2.785,0-4.161,2.047-4.161,5.436,0,3.289,1.275,5.436,4.094,5.436a3.171,3.171,0,0,0,3.456-2.92h4.4a6.8,6.8,0,0,1-2.248,4.631,8.065,8.065,0,0,1-5.5,1.946A8.521,8.521,0,0,1,372.049,244.229Zm20.638-12.819a5.423,5.423,0,0,1,5-2.718,5.606,5.606,0,0,1,4.3,1.812,6.833,6.833,0,0,1,1.644,4.631v11.242h-4.564V235.806a2.832,2.832,0,0,0-2.987-3.154c-2.013,0-3.49,1.577-3.49,3.96v9.765h-4.564V222.383h4.564v9.027Zm18.121.1a5.5,5.5,0,0,1,5.1-2.819,5.606,5.606,0,0,1,4.3,1.812,6.833,6.833,0,0,1,1.644,4.631v11.242h-4.564V235.806a2.832,2.832,0,0,0-2.987-3.154c-2.013,0-3.49,1.577-3.49,3.96v9.765h-4.564V229.162h4.463v2.349Zm15.336,12.718a8.995,8.995,0,0,1-2.517-6.443,9.133,9.133,0,0,1,2.517-6.477,8.865,8.865,0,0,1,6.477-2.618,9,9,0,0,1,6.51,2.618,9.254,9.254,0,0,1,2.483,6.477,9.113,9.113,0,0,1-2.483,6.443,8.892,8.892,0,0,1-6.51,2.651A8.759,8.759,0,0,1,426.143,244.229Zm10.839-6.443c0-3.389-1.544-5.638-4.362-5.638s-4.362,2.248-4.362,5.638c0,3.356,1.544,5.6,4.362,5.6S436.982,241.142,436.982,237.786Zm11.174-15.4v23.993h-4.564V222.383Zm4.5,21.846a8.995,8.995,0,0,1-2.517-6.443,9.133,9.133,0,0,1,2.517-6.477,8.865,8.865,0,0,1,6.477-2.618,9,9,0,0,1,6.51,2.618,9.254,9.254,0,0,1,2.483,6.477,9.113,9.113,0,0,1-2.483,6.443,8.892,8.892,0,0,1-6.51,2.651A8.759,8.759,0,0,1,452.653,244.229Zm10.839-6.443c0-3.389-1.544-5.638-4.362-5.638s-4.362,2.248-4.362,5.638c0,3.356,1.544,5.6,4.362,5.6S463.492,241.142,463.492,237.786Zm6.074,9.094h4.53c.369,1.074,1.309,1.913,3.456,1.913,2.55,0,3.826-1.175,3.826-3.591v-1.879h-.1a5.467,5.467,0,0,1-4.5,2.013,7.181,7.181,0,0,1-5.2-2.181,8.172,8.172,0,0,1-2.383-6.04,8.954,8.954,0,0,1,2.114-6.141,6.865,6.865,0,0,1,5.336-2.282,5.548,5.548,0,0,1,4.765,2.282h.067v-1.812h4.4v15.906a6.569,6.569,0,0,1-2.047,5.235,9.008,9.008,0,0,1-6.208,1.946C472.854,252.249,470.069,250.236,469.566,246.88Zm11.107-6.577a5.375,5.375,0,0,0,.94-3.289,5.257,5.257,0,0,0-1.007-3.289,3.752,3.752,0,0,0-3.087-1.376c-2.349,0-3.859,1.779-3.859,4.7,0,2.953,1.51,4.631,3.893,4.631A3.775,3.775,0,0,0,480.673,240.3Zm9.933,8.121c1.846,0,2.55-.906,2.55-2.349a6.284,6.284,0,0,0-.268-1.711c-.235-.7-.537-1.644-1.04-2.953l-4.631-12.248h4.8l2.55,7.752c.268.805.5,1.711.738,2.483.1.436.235.839.369,1.275h.067c.1-.436.2-.839.3-1.275a25.347,25.347,0,0,1,.7-2.483l2.416-7.752h4.6l-6.007,17.651a9.269,9.269,0,0,1-2.215,4.027,5.378,5.378,0,0,1-3.859,1.175H489v-3.591Zm-244.229-2.047h19.195V188.792H246.377Zm28.792-67.182h47.987V160H275.169ZM246.377,160h19.195v19.195H246.377Zm-28.792,86.377h19.195V160H217.584Zm-28.792-19.195h19.195V160H188.792ZM160,246.377h19.195V160H160Zm115.169,0h19.195V188.792H275.169Z" transform="translate(-160 -160)"/> </svg> <svg class="mit-logo-name--alt-without-name" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="200" height="105.882" viewBox="0 0 200 105.882"> <path class="mit-logo-name--color" id="mit_logo_std_rgb_black" d="M265.882,265.882h23.529V195.294H265.882Zm35.294-82.353H360V160H301.176ZM265.882,160h23.529v23.529H265.882ZM230.588,265.882h23.529V160H230.588Zm-35.294-23.529h23.529V160H195.294ZM160,265.882h23.529V160H160Zm141.176,0h23.529V195.294H301.176Z" transform="translate(-160 -160)"/> </svg> <span class="visually-hidden">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</span></a> </div> </div> <nav class="tle-nav"> <a class="tle-nav--title" href="#tle-nav--menu"><span class="visually-hidden">MIT Top </span><span class="title">Menu</span><span class="arrow">↓</span></a> <ul id="tle-nav--menu" class="tle-nav--list"> <li class="tle-nav--link-item"><a class="tle-nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/education">Education</a></li> <li class="tle-nav--link-item"><a class="tle-nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/research">Research</a></li> <li class="tle-nav--link-item"><a class="tle-nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/innovation">Innovation</a></li> <li class="tle-nav--link-item"><a class="tle-nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/admissions-aid">Admissions + Aid</a></li> <li class="tle-nav--link-item"><a class="tle-nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/campus-life">Campus Life</a></li> <li class="tle-nav--link-item active"><a class="tle-nav--link" href="/">News</a></li> <li class="tle-nav--link-item"><a class="tle-nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/alumni">Alumni</a></li> <li class="tle-nav--link-item"><a class="tle-nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/about">About MIT</a></li> <li class="tle-nav--link-item tle-nav--link-item--more-block"> <button class="tle-nav--link tle-nav--link--more-button">More <span class="site-nav__arrow">↓</span></button> <ul class="tle-nav--more--list"></ul> </li> </ul> <div class="tle-nav--search-button"> <a class="tle-nav--search-button--trigger" href="http://web.mit.edu/search/"> <svg class="tle-nav--search-button--icon--open" width="0" viewBox="0 0 23 22"> <g stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.5" fill="none"> <circle cx="9.20757329" cy="8.99160695" r="8.50646589"></circle> <path d="M14.8522097,14.6362434 L20.7140392,20.4980728"></path> </g> </svg><svg class="tle-nav--search-button--icon--close" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="0" viewBox="0 0 18 18"> <path fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.5" d="M1 1L17 17M1 17L17 1"></path> </svg><span class="visually-hidden">Search MIT</span> </a> </div> </nav> </section> <section class="tle-search--wrapper"> <div class="tle-search"> <form method="GET" action="https://web.mit.edu/search/" id="tle-search-form" class="tle-search-form"> <label for="tle-search-form-input" class="tle-search-form--label">Search websites, locations, and people</label> <div class="tle-search-form--input-wrapper"> <svg width="30" viewBox="0 0 23 22" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.5" class="tle-search-form--search-icon"><g stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.5" fill="none"><circle cx="9.20757329" cy="8.99160695" r="8.50646589"></circle> <path d="M14.8522097,14.6362434 L20.7140392,20.4980728" id="Line-4"></path></g></svg> <input type="query" id="tle-search-form--input" autocomplete="off" name="q" aria-label="search MIT" placeholder="What are you looking for?" class="tle-search-form--input"> <button type="reset" for="tle-search-form" aria-label="reset" class="tle-search-form--button-reset"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="26" height="26" viewBox="0 0 26 26" class="tle-search-form--button-reset--icon"> <circle fill="red" cx="13" cy="13" r="13"></circle> <path d="M9.9 9.9l6.5 6.5M16.4 9.9l-6.5 6.5" stroke="currentColor"></path> </svg> </button> </div> </form> <div class="tle-search--suggested-results--wrapper"> <div class="tle-search--suggested-results"> <div class="tle-search--suggested-results--top-links--placeholder"></div> <div class="tle-search--suggested-results--locations--placeholder"></div> <div class="tle-search--suggested-results--directory--placeholder"></div> <button type="submit" form="tle-search-form" class="tle-search--suggested-results--button-see-more"> <span class="tle-search--suggested-results--button-see-more--text">See More Results</span> </button> </div> <p class="tle-search--suggested-results--feedback"><a href="http://web.mit.edu/feedback" class="tle-search--suggested-results--feedback--link">Suggestions or feedback?</a></p> </div> </div> </section> <header class="site-header"> <div class="site-header--inner"> <div class="site-logo"> <div class="site-logo--mit-news"> <h2 class="site-logo--mit-news--heading"> <a class="logo--mit-news" href="/"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="0" viewBox="0 0 350.922 78.577" class="logo"> <g class="tagline" transform="translate(0.487 66.798)"> <g> <path d="M12.132,61.991a5.519,5.519,0,0,1-5.866,5.753A5.554,5.554,0,0,1,.4,61.854a5.809,5.809,0,0,1,1.816-4.383,6.04,6.04,0,0,1,4.05-1.37C9.9,55.965,12.132,58.43,12.132,61.991Zm-8.939-.137c0,2.328,1.117,3.7,3.073,3.7s3.073-1.37,3.073-3.7-1.117-3.835-3.073-3.835C4.45,58.156,3.193,59.526,3.193,61.854Z" transform="translate(-0.4 -55.965)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M17.884,67.531l-3.352-5.753-1.257-2.191v7.944H10.9V56.3h2.793l3.212,5.616c.419.822.7,1.37,1.257,2.328V56.3h2.374V67.531Z" transform="translate(3.765 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M32.441,59.972a2.177,2.177,0,0,0-2.374-1.644c-1.955,0-3.073,1.37-3.073,3.7s1.117,3.7,2.933,3.7a2.319,2.319,0,0,0,2.514-2.055h2.793c-.279,2.6-2.374,4.109-5.308,4.109-3.492,0-5.727-2.328-5.727-5.89S26.435,56,29.927,56c2.793,0,4.749,1.507,5.168,3.835H32.441Z" transform="translate(9.042 -56)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M36.731,65.2l-.7,2.328H33.1L37.29,56.3h3.352l3.771,11.231H41.341l-.7-2.328Zm2.1-6.438-1.4,4.383h2.654Z" transform="translate(12.572 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M47.209,67.531,45.533,61.5a6.062,6.062,0,0,1-.279-1.1,3.476,3.476,0,0,0-.279-.685v7.807H42.6V56.3h3.771l1.536,5.89a17.317,17.317,0,0,1,.559,2.6c0-.274.14-.274.14-.411l.14-.685a4.758,4.758,0,0,0,.14-.822,2.356,2.356,0,0,0,.14-.685l1.536-5.89h3.771V67.531H51.958V59.724a2.958,2.958,0,0,1-.419,1.233,1.343,1.343,0,0,0-.14.548l-1.676,6.027H47.209Z" transform="translate(16.341 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M56.054,67.531H53.4V56.3h4.609a4.736,4.736,0,0,1,3.212.822A3.7,3.7,0,0,1,62.479,60a3.373,3.373,0,0,1-.978,2.6,4.044,4.044,0,0,1-2.933,1.1H56.054Zm2.1-6.027a1.515,1.515,0,1,0,0-3.013h-2.1v3.15h2.1Z" transform="translate(20.626 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M71.2,56.2v7.67a3.174,3.174,0,0,1-1.257,2.876,5.531,5.531,0,0,1-3.492.959,5.8,5.8,0,0,1-3.492-.959A3.334,3.334,0,0,1,61.7,63.87V56.2h2.654v7.4c0,.822.14,1.1.419,1.37a3.034,3.034,0,0,0,1.676.548,1.759,1.759,0,0,0,1.536-.548c.419-.274.419-.685.419-1.37V56.2Z" transform="translate(23.918 -55.926)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M77.684,59.8v-.137c0-.959-.838-1.507-2.1-1.507s-1.955.411-1.955,1.1c0,.411.419.822,1.117.959l2.374.548a5.282,5.282,0,0,1,2.654,1.1,2.861,2.861,0,0,1,.838,2.191c0,2.328-1.816,3.7-4.889,3.7-3.212,0-5.028-1.507-5.028-3.972h2.654c0,1.233.838,1.918,2.374,1.918,1.4,0,2.235-.411,2.235-1.233,0-.548-.419-.959-1.257-1.1l-2.374-.548a4.257,4.257,0,0,1-2.514-1.1,2.738,2.738,0,0,1-.978-2.191c0-2.191,1.816-3.424,4.749-3.424a4.661,4.661,0,0,1,4.05,1.644,4.541,4.541,0,0,1,.7,2.191H77.684Z" transform="translate(27.489 -55.963)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M86.931,65.2l-.7,2.328H83.3L87.49,56.3h3.352l3.771,11.231H91.541l-.7-2.328Zm2.1-6.438-1.4,4.383h2.654Z" transform="translate(32.487 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M99.784,67.531l-3.352-5.753-1.257-2.191v7.944H92.8V56.3h2.793l3.212,5.616c.419.822.7,1.37,1.257,2.328V56.3h2.374V67.531Z" transform="translate(36.256 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M102.1,56.2h4.05c2.374,0,3.631.411,4.749,1.507a5.554,5.554,0,0,1,1.4,3.972,6.348,6.348,0,0,1-1.536,4.246c-.978,1.1-2.374,1.507-4.469,1.507h-4.05V56.2Zm4.469,9.177c1.257,0,1.955-.274,2.374-1.1a5.132,5.132,0,0,0,0-4.657,2.161,2.161,0,0,0-2.235-1.1h-1.955v6.985h1.816Z" transform="translate(39.946 -55.926)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M118.631,65.2l-.7,2.328H115L119.19,56.3h3.352l3.771,11.231h-3.073l-.7-2.328Zm2.1-6.438-1.4,4.383h2.654Z" transform="translate(45.063 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M127.154,67.531H124.5V56.3h5.168a4.621,4.621,0,0,1,3.073.685,2.9,2.9,0,0,1,1.117,2.328,2.8,2.8,0,0,1-1.955,2.739c1.117.411,1.536.959,1.676,2.465l.14,1.644a2.721,2.721,0,0,0,.419,1.507h-2.654a1.058,1.058,0,0,1-.419-.959l-.14-1.507c-.14-1.37-.7-2.055-2.1-2.055h-1.816v4.383Zm2.654-6.574c.978,0,1.536-.411,1.536-1.233s-.559-1.233-1.536-1.233h-2.654v2.6h2.654Z" transform="translate(48.832 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M144.832,61.991a5.867,5.867,0,0,1-11.732-.137,5.809,5.809,0,0,1,1.816-4.383,6.04,6.04,0,0,1,4.05-1.37C142.458,55.965,144.832,58.43,144.832,61.991Zm-8.939-.137c0,2.328,1.117,3.7,3.073,3.7s3.073-1.37,3.073-3.7-1.117-3.835-3.073-3.835C137.011,58.156,135.893,59.526,135.893,61.854Z" transform="translate(52.244 -55.965)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M153.1,56.2v7.67a3.174,3.174,0,0,1-1.257,2.876,5.531,5.531,0,0,1-3.492.959,5.8,5.8,0,0,1-3.492-.959A3.333,3.333,0,0,1,143.6,63.87V56.2h2.654v7.4c0,.822.14,1.1.419,1.37a3.034,3.034,0,0,0,1.676.548,1.759,1.759,0,0,0,1.536-.548c.419-.274.419-.685.419-1.37V56.2Z" transform="translate(56.409 -55.926)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M159.784,67.531l-3.352-5.753-1.257-2.191v7.944H152.8V56.3h2.793l3.212,5.616c.419.822.7,1.37,1.257,2.328V56.3h2.374V67.531Z" transform="translate(60.059 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M162.1,56.2h4.05c2.374,0,3.631.411,4.749,1.507a5.553,5.553,0,0,1,1.4,3.972,6.348,6.348,0,0,1-1.536,4.246c-.978,1.1-2.374,1.507-4.469,1.507h-4.05V56.2Zm4.469,9.177c1.257,0,1.955-.274,2.374-1.1a5.132,5.132,0,0,0,0-4.657,2.161,2.161,0,0,0-2.235-1.1h-1.955v6.985h1.816Z" transform="translate(63.748 -55.926)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M181.385,67.531h-2.654v-9.04H175.1V56.3h9.777v2.191h-3.631v9.04Z" transform="translate(68.906 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M186.454,62.6v4.931H183.8V56.3h2.654v4.246h4.33V56.3h2.654V67.531h-2.654V62.6Z" transform="translate(72.357 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M201.9,58.355h-6.146v2.191h5.308V62.6h-5.308V65.34h6.285v2.191H193.1V56.3h8.8Z" transform="translate(76.046 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M208.312,67.531,205.1,56.3h2.654l1.257,5.068c.279.959.419,1.507.7,2.739a11.82,11.82,0,0,1,.559-2.739l1.117-5.068H213.9l1.117,5.068a23.766,23.766,0,0,1,.559,2.739c.14-.548.279-1.37.559-2.739l1.257-5.068h2.654l-3.352,11.231h-2.514l-1.117-4.657A19.263,19.263,0,0,1,212.5,60c-.279,1.233-.419,1.918-.559,2.876l-1.117,4.657Z" transform="translate(80.807 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M228.532,61.991a5.867,5.867,0,0,1-11.732-.137,5.809,5.809,0,0,1,1.816-4.383,6.04,6.04,0,0,1,4.05-1.37C226.3,55.965,228.532,58.43,228.532,61.991Zm-8.939-.137c0,2.328,1.117,3.7,3.073,3.7s3.073-1.37,3.073-3.7-1.117-3.835-3.073-3.835C220.85,58.156,219.593,59.526,219.593,61.854Z" transform="translate(85.449 -55.965)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M229.954,67.531H227.3V56.3h5.168a4.621,4.621,0,0,1,3.073.685,2.9,2.9,0,0,1,1.117,2.328,2.8,2.8,0,0,1-1.955,2.739c1.117.411,1.536.959,1.676,2.465l.14,1.644a2.721,2.721,0,0,0,.419,1.507h-2.654a1.058,1.058,0,0,1-.419-.959l-.14-1.507c-.14-1.37-.7-2.055-2.1-2.055h-1.816v4.383Zm2.514-6.574c.978,0,1.536-.411,1.536-1.233s-.559-1.233-1.536-1.233h-2.654v2.6h2.654Z" transform="translate(89.614 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M238.954,65.34h5.726v2.191H236.3V56.3h2.654Z" transform="translate(93.184 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M244,56.2h4.05c2.374,0,3.631.411,4.749,1.507a5.553,5.553,0,0,1,1.4,3.972,6.348,6.348,0,0,1-1.536,4.246c-.978,1.1-2.374,1.507-4.469,1.507H244Zm4.47,9.177c1.257,0,1.955-.274,2.374-1.1a5.132,5.132,0,0,0,0-4.657,2.161,2.161,0,0,0-2.235-1.1h-1.955v6.985h1.816Z" transform="translate(96.239 -55.926)" fill="#333"/> </g> </g> <g class="mit-news"> <path d="M21.773,55.944,13.867,26.123c-.608-2.5-1.095-4.294-1.46-5.487-.487-1.789-.487-2.147-.973-3.7.122,2.028.122,3.459.122,4.413l.122,5.368V55.944H0V0H18l7.3,29.344c1.095,4.413,2.068,8.946,2.8,12.644q.365-1.61.365-1.789l.973-3.578c.122-.954.487-2.266.851-3.817.487-1.789.851-3.578.851-3.7L38.559,0H56.439V55.944H44.762V26.719l.122-5.368c0-1.074,0-2.386.122-4.413-.973,3.34-1.581,5.606-1.825,6.322-.487,1.551-.73,2.624-.851,2.743l-7.785,29.94Z" fill="#333"/> <path d="M64.294,55.944H51.4V0H64.294Z" transform="translate(11.121)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M97.166,55.944H84.272V10.735H67V0h47.438V10.735H97.166Z" transform="translate(14.497)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M158.372,55.944,142.194,27.316l-5.96-10.855c.122,2.982.122,5.01.122,6.68.122,2.982.122,6.322.122,9.781V55.944H124.8V0h13.38l15.691,27.912c2.189,4.175,3.649,7.157,5.839,11.332-.122-2.266-.122-3.817-.122-5.487l-.122-4.175V0h11.677V55.944Z" transform="translate(27.003)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M181.085,36.911c.73,5.487,4.136,8.588,9.366,8.588,3.284,0,5.6-1.074,7.177-3.578h12.285C207.6,49.793,199.939,54.8,190.086,54.8c-12.772,0-21.286-8.588-21.286-21.352,0-12.644,8.636-21.352,21.165-21.352,8.758,0,15.326,4.294,18.367,11.928,1.46,3.578,2.068,7.276,2.068,12.883Zm16.908-8.469c-.487-4.771-3.284-7.4-8.028-7.4s-7.785,2.624-8.758,7.4Z" transform="translate(36.523 2.333)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M217.485,53.456,205.2,12.9h12.285l3.527,13.24c.973,3.578,2.189,9.781,2.8,13.121,1.216-6.083,2.189-10.735,2.8-13.121l3.527-13.24h10.582l3.649,13.24c1.581,6.2,2.311,9.781,2.919,13.121.73-4.175,1.46-7.873,2.676-13.121l3.284-13.24h12.529L254.1,53.456H242.421l-4.014-14.195c-1.216-4.891-1.946-8.35-3.041-13.6-1.216,5.606-2.189,10.02-3.041,13.6l-3.406,14.195Z" transform="translate(44.398 2.487)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M282.944,25.379c-.487-2.982-3.041-4.652-7.055-4.652-3.527,0-5.839,1.312-5.839,3.34,0,1.551,1.216,2.266,5.109,3.1l7.663,1.551c5.109.954,7.663,2.147,9.366,3.936,1.946,1.789,3.041,4.891,3.041,8.111,0,8.588-7.055,13.956-18.61,13.956-11.434,0-18.61-5.248-19.219-14.314h11.434c.73,3.817,3.284,5.606,8.15,5.606,3.892,0,6.325-1.551,6.325-3.936,0-1.909-1.338-2.982-4.622-3.7l-7.541-1.67c-9.123-1.909-12.529-5.248-12.529-11.69,0-8.111,6.568-13.121,17.637-13.121,10.582,0,17.029,4.652,18.124,13.24H282.944Z" transform="translate(55.693 2.295)" fill="#333"/> </g> </svg><span class="visually-hidden">MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology</span></a> </h2> <div class="site-header--subscribe"> <svg class="icon--mail--subscribe" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="19.403" height="13.778" viewBox="0 0 19.403 13.778"> <g id="Group_2076" data-name="Group 2076" transform="translate(-952 -199)"> <g id="Page-1" transform="translate(949 193)"> <g id="icon-6-mail-envelope-closed" transform="translate(4 8)"> <path id="mail-envelope-closed" d="M4.968,8.938a.74.74,0,0,0-.232.54V18.3a.741.741,0,0,0,.23.541h0l5.7-4.953L4.968,8.938Zm16.469,0a.741.741,0,0,1,.23.541V18.3a.74.74,0,0,1-.232.54l-5.694-4.951,5.7-4.953Zm-6.246,5.431,5.372,4.674H5.84l5.372-4.674L13.2,16.1l1.989-1.729ZM5.475,8A1.472,1.472,0,0,0,4,9.468V18.31a1.468,1.468,0,0,0,1.475,1.468H20.928A1.472,1.472,0,0,0,22.4,18.31V9.468A1.468,1.468,0,0,0,20.928,8ZM13.2,15.14l7.361-6.4H5.84l7.361,6.4Z" transform="translate(-4 -8)" fill="#464646" fill-rule="evenodd"/> </g> </g> <circle id="Ellipse_1111" data-name="Ellipse 1111" cx="3" cy="3" r="3" transform="translate(952 199)" fill="#FF4646"/> </g> </svg> <a class="site-header--subscribe--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/mit-daily-weekly/" target="_blank">Subscribe<span class="visually-hidden"> to MIT News newsletter</span></a></a> </div> <nav class="site-nav"> <a class="site-nav--browse" href="#site-nav--browse"><i class="arrow down"></i><span class="title">Browse</span></a> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="site--browse--search"> <div class="site--browse--search--inner"> <div class="site--search"> <form action="/search" method="get" id="search-form" class="site-nav--search-form" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <label for="keyword" class="visually-hidden">Enter keywords to search for news articles:</label> <input type="text" id="keyword" name="keyword" class="site-nav--search-form--keyword" placeholder="Search News"> <button id="submit-search" class="site-nav--search-form--submit-button">Submit</button> </form> </div> <a name="site-nav--browse"></a> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-0eccbb48bc1fa9efe52798b6abad8c0746579d4ffcbd2147ac39c5536c832f2e"> <div><div class="site-browse"> <div class="site-browse--inner"> <div class="site-browse--recommended--head"> <h2 class="site-browse--recommended--head--title">Browse By</h2> </div> <div class="site-browse--recommended-section site-browse--recommended-section--topics"> <div> <div class="browse--recommended-head"> <h3 class="browse--recommended-head--title">Topics</h3> <span class="browse--recommended-head--title--view-all"><a href="/topics" class="browse--recommended-title--view-all--link">View All</a> →</span> </div> <div class="browse--recommended--descr"> <div class="browse--recommended--descr--title">Explore:</div> <ul class="browse--recommended-descr--list"> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/topic/machine-learning" hreflang="en">Machine learning</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/topic/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/topic/startups" hreflang="en">Startups</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/topic/black-holes" hreflang="en">Black holes</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/topic/classes-and-programs" hreflang="en">Classes and programs</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="site-browse--recommended-section site-browse--recommended-section--departments"> <div> <div class="browse--recommended-head"> <h3 class="browse--recommended-head--title">Departments</h3> <span class="browse--recommended-head--title--view-all"><a href="/departments" class="browse--recommended-title--view-all--link">View All</a> →</span> </div> <div class="browse--recommended--descr"> <div class="browse--recommended--descr--title">Explore:</div> <ul class="browse--recommended-descr--list"> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/department/aeronautics-and-astronautics" hreflang="en">Aeronautics and Astronautics</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/department/brain-and-cognitive-sciences" hreflang="en">Brain and Cognitive Sciences</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/department/architecture" hreflang="en">Architecture</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/department/political-science" hreflang="en">Political Science</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/department/mechanical-engineering" hreflang="en">Mechanical Engineering</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="site-browse--recommended-section site-browse--recommended-section--clp"> <div> <div class="browse--recommended-head"> <h3 class="browse--recommended-head--title">Centers, Labs, & Programs</h3> <span class="browse--recommended-head--title--view-all"><a href="/centers-labs-programs" class="browse--recommended-title--view-all--link">View All</a> →</span> </div> <div class="browse--recommended--descr"> <div class="browse--recommended--descr--title">Explore:</div> <ul class="browse--recommended-descr--list"> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/clp/abdul-latif-jameel-poverty-action-lab-j-pal" hreflang="en">Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/clp/picower-institute" hreflang="en">Picower Institute for Learning and Memory</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/clp/media-lab" hreflang="en">Media Lab</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/clp/lincoln-laboratory" hreflang="en">Lincoln Laboratory</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="site-browse--recommended-section site-browse--recommended-section--schools"> <div> <div class="browse--recommended-head"> <h3 class="browse--recommended-head--title">Schools</h3> </div> <div class="browse--recommended--descr"> <ul class="browse--recommended-descr--list"> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/school/architecture-and-planning" hreflang="en">School of Architecture + Planning</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/school/engineering" hreflang="en">School of Engineering</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/school/humanities-arts-and-social-sciences" hreflang="en">School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/school/management" hreflang="en">Sloan School of Management</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/school/science" hreflang="en">School of Science</a></li> <li class="browse--recommended-descr--list--item"><a href="/school/mit-schwarzman-college-computing" hreflang="en">MIT Schwarzman College of Computing</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="site-browse--view-itm-section"> <span class="site-browse--view-itm"><a class="site-browse--view-itm--link" href="/in-the-media">View all news coverage of MIT in the media</a> →</span> </div> <div class="site-browse--view-podcasts-section"> <span class="site-browse--view-podcasts"><a class="site-browse--view-podcasts--link" href="/podcasts">Listen to audio content from MIT News</a> →</span> </div> <div class="site-browse--subscribe-section"> <span class="site-browse--subscribe"><a class="site-browse--subscribe--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/subscribe/">Subscribe to MIT newsletter</a> →</span> </div> <div class="site-browse--close--container"> <a href="#" class="site-browse--close--button-link"><span class="site-browse--close--button-icon"><svg class="icon--button--close" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="22" height="22" viewBox="0 0 22 22"> <g transform="translate(-32 -33)"> <path id="Path_2543" data-name="Path 2543" d="M43,33A11,11,0,1,0,54,44,11,11,0,0,0,43,33Zm5.318,14.708a.386.386,0,0,1,.113.275.378.378,0,0,1-.113.275l-1.061,1.066a.382.382,0,0,1-.275.113.4.4,0,0,1-.275-.113L43,45.611l-3.7,3.717a.375.375,0,0,1-.275.113.4.4,0,0,1-.275-.113l-1.061-1.066a.386.386,0,0,1-.113-.275.378.378,0,0,1,.113-.275L41.4,43.98,37.677,40.3a.394.394,0,0,1,0-.555l1.061-1.066a.391.391,0,0,1,.55,0L43,42.345l3.717-3.668a.391.391,0,0,1,.55,0l1.061,1.066a.394.394,0,0,1,0,.555L44.606,43.98Z" fill="currentColor"/> </g> </svg> </span> Close</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <main class="site-main" id="main" aria-live="polite"> <div class="page--section"> <div class="page--section--inner"> <div id="block-mit-breadcrumbs"> <div class="block-inner"> <h4 class="breadcrumb--title visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</h4> <ol class="breadcrumb--list"> <li class="breadcrumb--list-item"> <a class="breadcrumb--link" href="/">MIT News</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb--list-item"> How to tackle the global deforestation crisis </li> </ol> </div> </div> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <div id="block-mit-page-title"> <div class="block-inner"> <h1><span itemprop="name headline">How to tackle the global deforestation crisis</span> </span> </h1> </div> </div> <div id="block-mit-content"> <div class="block-inner"> <article> <div> <div itemprop="description" class="news-article--dek"> <span>Vital forest is cleared every day, with major climate effects. Satellites have revolutionized measurement of the problem, but what can we do about it?</span> </div> <div class="news-article--indicators"> </div> <div itemprop="author" class="news-article--authored-by"> <span class="news-article--author">Peter Dizikes</span> <span class="news-article--authored-by--separator">|</span> <span class="news-article--source">MIT News</span> </div> <div itemprop="datePublished" class="news-article--publication-date"> <div class="visually-hidden"> <span class="label">Publication Date</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> </div> <time datetime="2023-09-19T04:00:00Z">September 19, 2023</time> </div> <div data-nosnippet="true" class="news-article--press-inquiries"> <div class="news-article--press-inquiries--header"><a href="#press-inquiries" class="news-article--press-inquiries--title--link"><span class="arrow down"></span><svg class="icon--info" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20"> <path id="iconfinder_icon-information_2867914" d="M12,22A10,10,0,1,1,22,12,10,10,0,0,1,12,22Zm0-2a8,8,0,1,0-8-8A8,8,0,0,0,12,20Zm0-9a1,1,0,0,1,1,1v4a1,1,0,0,1-2,0V12A1,1,0,0,1,12,11Zm0-4a1,1,0,1,1-1,1A1,1,0,0,1,12,7Z" transform="translate(-2 -2)" fill="currentColor"/> </svg> <span class="link-text">Press Inquiries</span></a></div> <div id="press-inquiries" class="news-article--press-inquiries--descr"> <div class="news-article--press-inquiries--press-contacts"> <h3 > <span class="label">Press Contact</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> </h3> <div class="press-contact"> <div class="news-article--press-inquiries--press-contact--name"> Abby Abazorius </div> <div class="news-article--press-inquiries--press-contact--email"> <span class="label"> Email: </span> <a href="mailto:abbya@mit.edu">abbya@mit.edu</a> </div> <div class="news-article--press-inquiries--press-contact--phone"> <span class="label"> Phone: </span> 617-253-2709 </div> <div class="news-article--press-inquiries--press-contact--org"> MIT News Office </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--press-inquiries--download-images"> <h3>Media Download</h3> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--download-item-image paragraph--view-mode--news-article__downloadable-image"> <div class="news-article--download-image--item"> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--file"> <a href="/sites/default/files/download/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-01-press.jpg" target="_blank"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__download/public/download/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-01-press.jpg?itok=3blJGlYZ" width="270" height="180" alt="Aerial view of a forest, with a large wedge of deforested, brown dirt." /> </a> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--file--download"> ↓ <a href="/sites/default/files/download/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-01-press.jpg" target="_blank" class="news-article--download-image--item--file--download-link">Download Image</a> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--descr"> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--caption"> <span class="label">Caption</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> Economists Ben Olken of MIT and Clare Balboni are authors of a new review paper examining the “revolution” in the study of deforestation brought about by satellites, and analyzing which kinds of policies might limit climate-altering deforestation. Pictured is deforestation occurring in Mato Grosso, Brazil. </div> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--credits"> <span class="label">Credits</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> Image: iStock </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--download-item-image paragraph--view-mode--news-article__downloadable-image"> <div class="news-article--download-image--item"> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--file"> <a href="/sites/default/files/download/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-02-press.jpg" target="_blank"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__download/public/download/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-02-press.jpg?itok=0jIrod-F" width="270" height="180" alt="Map of Central and South America. The top left of South America, in Amazonas, Brazil, is colored green, but around Central and South America is very pink." /> </a> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--file--download"> ↓ <a href="/sites/default/files/download/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-02-press.jpg" target="_blank" class="news-article--download-image--item--file--download-link">Download Image</a> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--descr"> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--caption"> <span class="label">Caption</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> This figure shows forest loss between 2001-2020. The loss of forest is shown in pink. Forest is defined as 50% tree cover and is shown in green. </div> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--credits"> <span class="label">Credits</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> Image: Courtesy of the researchers </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--download-item-image paragraph--view-mode--news-article__downloadable-image"> <div class="news-article--download-image--item"> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--file"> <a href="/sites/default/files/download/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-03-press.jpg" target="_blank"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__download/public/download/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-03-press.jpg?itok=puczYr2z" width="270" height="180" alt="Map shows Bolivia on left, and Brazil. There is significant difference on the border, with Bolivia more forested. Most of the white-and-green areas of Brazil are now protected, as shown with pink and blue overlay." /> </a> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--file--download"> ↓ <a href="/sites/default/files/download/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-03-press.jpg" target="_blank" class="news-article--download-image--item--file--download-link">Download Image</a> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--descr"> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--caption"> <span class="label">Caption</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> This figure shows the percentage of forest cover in 2000 near the border between Brazil, on right, and Bolivia. The black solid line is the Brazilian border. Forest cover is represented in shades of green, and white represents deforested areas. The red overlay marks protected areas as of 2004, and the blue overlay marks private non-protected land. </div> <div class="news-article--download-image--item--credits"> <span class="label">Credits</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> Image: Courtesy of the researchers </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--press-inquiries--download-images--terms-of-use"> <h4 class="news-article--press-inquiries--download-images--terms-of-use--title">*Terms of Use:</h4> <p> Images for download on the MIT News office website are made available to non-commercial entities, press and the general public under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives license</a>. You may not alter the images provided, other than to crop them to size. A credit line must be used when reproducing images; if one is not provided below, credit the images to "MIT." </p> </div> <div class="news-article--press-inquiries--descr--close--container"> <a href="#" class="news-article--press-inquiries--descr--close--button-link"><span class="news-article--press-inquiries--descr--close--button-icon"><svg class="icon--button--close" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="22" height="22" viewBox="0 0 22 22"> <g transform="translate(-32 -33)"> <path id="Path_2543" data-name="Path 2543" d="M43,33A11,11,0,1,0,54,44,11,11,0,0,0,43,33Zm5.318,14.708a.386.386,0,0,1,.113.275.378.378,0,0,1-.113.275l-1.061,1.066a.382.382,0,0,1-.275.113.4.4,0,0,1-.275-.113L43,45.611l-3.7,3.717a.375.375,0,0,1-.275.113.4.4,0,0,1-.275-.113l-1.061-1.066a.386.386,0,0,1-.113-.275.378.378,0,0,1,.113-.275L41.4,43.98,37.677,40.3a.394.394,0,0,1,0-.555l1.061-1.066a.391.391,0,0,1,.55,0L43,42.345l3.717-3.668a.391.391,0,0,1,.55,0l1.061,1.066a.394.394,0,0,1,0,.555L44.606,43.98Z" fill="currentColor"/> </g> </svg> </span> Close</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--full-width-wrapper"> <div class="news-article--full-width-wrapper-inner"> <div class="news-article--images-gallery--wrapper"> <div class="news-article--images-gallery"> <div class="news-article--image-item"> <div class="news-article--media--image--file"> <img loading="lazy" src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--news-article--image-gallery.jpg" width="900" height="600" alt="Aerial view of a forest, with a large wedge of deforested, brown dirt." class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__image_gallery/public/images/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-01-press_0.jpg?itok=vUEDJvZh" /> </div> <div class="news-article--media--image--descr--wrapper"> <div class="news-article--media--image--descr"> <div class="news-article--media--image--caption"> <div class="visually-hidden"> <span class="label">Caption</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> </div> Economists Ben Olken of MIT and Clare Balboni are authors of a new review paper examining the “revolution” in the study of deforestation brought about by satellites, and analyzing which kinds of policies might limit climate-altering deforestation. Pictured is deforestation occurring in Mato Grosso, Brazil. </div> <div class="news-article--media--image--credits"> <div class="visually-hidden"> <span class="label">Credits</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> </div> Image: iStock </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--image-item"> <div class="news-article--media--image--file"> <img loading="lazy" src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--news-article--image-gallery.jpg" width="900" height="600" alt="Map of Central and South America. The top left of South America, in Amazonas, Brazil, is colored green, but around Central and South America is very pink." class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__image_gallery/public/images/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-02-press.jpg?itok=t6Ix9a-b" /> </div> <div class="news-article--media--image--descr--wrapper"> <div class="news-article--media--image--descr"> <div class="news-article--media--image--caption"> <div class="visually-hidden"> <span class="label">Caption</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> </div> This figure shows forest loss between 2001-2020. The loss of forest is shown in pink. Forest is defined as 50% tree cover and is shown in green. </div> <div class="news-article--media--image--credits"> <div class="visually-hidden"> <span class="label">Credits</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> </div> Image: Courtesy of the researchers </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--image-item"> <div class="news-article--media--image--file"> <img loading="lazy" src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--news-article--image-gallery.jpg" width="900" height="600" alt="Map shows Bolivia on left, and Brazil. There is significant difference on the border, with Bolivia more forested. Most of the white-and-green areas of Brazil are now protected, as shown with pink and blue overlay." class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__image_gallery/public/images/202309/MIT-Deforestation-Crisis-03-press.jpg?itok=lZMjSRmw" /> </div> <div class="news-article--media--image--descr--wrapper"> <div class="news-article--media--image--descr"> <div class="news-article--media--image--caption"> <div class="visually-hidden"> <span class="label">Caption</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> </div> This figure shows the percentage of forest cover in 2000 near the border between Brazil, on right, and Bolivia. The black solid line is the Brazilian border. Forest cover is represented in shades of green, and white represents deforested areas. The red overlay marks protected areas as of 2004, and the blue overlay marks private non-protected land. </div> <div class="news-article--media--image--credits"> <div class="visually-hidden"> <span class="label">Credits</span><span class="visually-hidden">:</span> </div> Image: Courtesy of the researchers </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--images-gallery--nav"> <p class="news-article--images-gallery--nav--inner"> <button class="news-article--images-gallery--nav--button news-article--images-gallery--nav--button--previous"><svg class="arrow--point-west--slider" data-name="Group 2041" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" width="0" viewBox="0 0 16.621 30.183"> <defs> <clipPath id="clip-path"> <path id="Path_494" data-name="Path 494" d="M0-126.293H16.621V-96.11H0Z" transform="translate(0 126.293)" /> </clipPath> </defs> <g id="Group_112" data-name="Group 112" clip-path="url(#clip-path)"> <g id="Group_111" data-name="Group 111" transform="translate(0 0)"> <path id="Path_493" data-name="Path 493" d="M-48.055-96.11a1.522,1.522,0,0,1-1.081-.448L-62.7-110.12a1.529,1.529,0,0,1,0-2.163l13.562-13.562a1.528,1.528,0,0,1,2.162,0,1.529,1.529,0,0,1,0,2.163L-59.454-111.2l12.48,12.48a1.529,1.529,0,0,1,0,2.163,1.524,1.524,0,0,1-1.081.448" transform="translate(63.146 126.293)" /> </g> </g> </svg> <span class="visually-hidden">Previous image</span></button> <button class="news-article--images-gallery--nav--button news-article--images-gallery--nav--button--next"><span class="visually-hidden">Next image</span><svg class="arrow--point-east--slider" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" width="0" viewBox="0 0 16.621 30.183"> <defs> <clipPath id="clip-path"> <path id="Path_496" data-name="Path 496" d="M0-126.293H16.621V-96.11H0Z" transform="translate(0 126.293)"/> </clipPath> </defs> <g id="Group_2042" data-name="Group 2042" transform="translate(16.621 30.183) rotate(180)"> <g id="Group_115" data-name="Group 115" clip-path="url(#clip-path)"> <g id="Group_114" data-name="Group 114" transform="translate(0 0)"> <path id="Path_495" data-name="Path 495" d="M-48.055-96.11a1.522,1.522,0,0,1-1.081-.448L-62.7-110.12a1.529,1.529,0,0,1,0-2.163l13.562-13.562a1.528,1.528,0,0,1,2.162,0,1.529,1.529,0,0,1,0,2.163L-59.454-111.2l12.48,12.48a1.529,1.529,0,0,1,0,2.163,1.524,1.524,0,0,1-1.081.448" transform="translate(63.146 126.293)" /> </g> </g> </g> </svg></button> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--content"> <div class="news-article--content--body" itemprop="articleBody"> <div class="news-article--content--body--inner"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--content-block-text paragraph--view-mode--default"> <p>Imagine if France, Germany, and Spain were completely blanketed in forests — and then all those trees were quickly chopped down. That’s nearly the amount of deforestation that occurred globally between 2001 and 2020, with profound consequences.</p> <p></p> <p>Deforestation is a major contributor to climate change, producing between 6 and 17 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to a 2009 study. Meanwhile, because trees also absorb carbon dioxide, removing it from the atmosphere, they help keep the Earth cooler. And climate change aside, forests protect biodiversity.</p> <p></p> <p>“Climate change and biodiversity make this a global problem, not a local problem,” says MIT economist Ben Olken. “Deciding to cut down trees or not has huge implications for the world.”</p> <p></p> <p>But deforestation is often financially profitable, so it continues at a rapid rate. Researchers can now measure this trend closely: In the last quarter-century, satellite-based technology has led to a paradigm change in charting deforestation. New deforestation datasets, based on the Landsat satellites, for instance, track forest change since 2000 with resolution at 30 meters, while many other products now offer frequent imaging at close resolution.</p> <p></p> <p>“Part of this revolution in measurement is accuracy, and the other part is coverage,” says Clare Balboni, an assistant professor of economics at the London School of Economics (LSE). “On-site observation is very expensive and logistically challenging, and you’re talking about case studies. These satellite-based data sets just open up opportunities to see deforestation at scale, systematically, across the globe.”</p> <p></p> <p>Balboni and Olken have now helped write a new paper providing a road map for thinking about this crisis. The open-access article, “<a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-economics-090622-024705" target="_blank">The Economics of Tropical Deforestation</a>,” appears this month in the <em>Annual Review of Economics</em>. The co-authors are Balboni, a former MIT faculty member; Aaron Berman, a PhD candidate in MIT’s Department of Economics; Robin Burgess, an LSE professor; and Olken, MIT’s Jane Berkowitz Carlton and Dennis William Carlton Professor of Microeconomics. Balboni and Olken have also conducted primary research in this area, along with Burgess.</p> <p></p> <p>So, how can the world tackle deforestation? It starts with understanding the problem.</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Replacing forests with farms</strong></p> <p></p> <p>Several decades ago, some thinkers, including the famous MIT economist Paul Samuelson in the 1970s, built models to study forests as a renewable resource; Samuelson calculated the “maximum sustained yield” at which a forest could be cleared while being regrown. These frameworks were designed to think about tree farms or the U.S. national forest system, where a fraction of trees would be cut each year, and then new trees would be grown over time to take their place.</p> <p></p> <p>But deforestation today, particularly in tropical areas, often looks very different, and forest regeneration is not common.</p> <p></p> <p>Indeed, as Balboni and Olken emphasize, deforestation is now rampant partly because the profits from chopping down trees come not just from timber, but from replacing forests with agriculture. In Brazil, deforestation has increased along with agricultural prices; in Indonesia, clearing trees accelerated as the global price of palm oil went up, leading companies to replace forests with palm tree orchards.</p> <p></p> <p>All this tree-clearing creates a familiar situation: The globally shared costs of climate change from deforestation are “externalities,” as economists say, imposed on everyone else by the people removing forest land. It is akin to a company that pollutes into a river, affecting the water quality of residents.</p> <p></p> <p>“Economics has changed the way it thinks about this over the last 50 years, and two things are central,” Olken says. “The relevance of global externalities is very important, and the conceptualization of alternate land uses is very important.” This also means traditional forest-management guidance about regrowth is not enough. With the economic dynamics in mind, which policies might work, and why?</p> <p></p> <p><strong>The search for solutions</strong></p> <p></p> <p>As Balboni and Olken note, economists often recommend “Pigouvian” taxes (named after the British economist Arthur Pigou) in these cases, levied against people imposing externalities on others. And yet, it can be hard to identify who is doing the deforesting.</p> <p></p> <p>Instead of taxing people for clearing forests, governments can pay people to keep forests intact. The UN uses Payments for Environmental Services (PES) as part of its REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) program. However, it is similarly tough to identify the optimal landowners to subsidize, and these payments may not match the quick cash-in of deforestation. A 2017 study in Uganda showed PES reduced deforestation somewhat; a 2022 study in Indonesia found no reduction; another 2022 study, in Brazil, showed again that some forest protection resulted.</p> <p></p> <p>“There’s mixed evidence from many of these [studies],” Balboni says. These policies, she notes, must reach people who would otherwise clear forests, and a key question is, “How can we assess their success compared to what would have happened anyway?”</p> <p></p> <p>Some places have tried cash transfer programs for larger populations. In Indonesia, a 2020 study found such subsidies reduced deforestation near villages by 30 percent. But in Mexico, a similar program meant more people could afford milk and meat, again creating demand for more agriculture and thus leading to more forest-clearing.</p> <p></p> <p>At this point, it might seem that laws simply banning deforestation in key areas would work best — indeed, about 16 percent of the world’s land overall is protected in some way. Yet the dynamics of protection are tricky. Even with protected areas in place, there is still “leakage” of deforestation into other regions. </p> <p></p> <p>Still more approaches exist, including “nonstate agreements,” such as the Amazon Soy Moratorium in Brazil, in which grain traders pledged not to buy soy from deforested lands, and reduced deforestation without “leakage.”</p> <p></p> <p>Also, intriguingly, a 2008 policy change in the Brazilian Amazon made agricultural credit harder to obtain by requiring recipients to comply with environmental and land registration rules. The result? Deforestation dropped by up to 60 percent over nearly a decade. </p> <p></p> <p><strong>Politics and pulp</strong></p> <p></p> <p>Overall, Balboni and Olken observe, beyond “externalities,” two major challenges exist. One, it is often unclear who holds property rights in forests. In these circumstances, deforestation seems to increase. Two, deforestation is subject to political battles.</p> <p></p> <p>For instance, as economist Bard Harstad of Stanford University has observed, environmental lobbying is asymmetric. Balboni and Olken write: “The conservationist lobby must pay the government in perpetuity … while the deforestation-oriented lobby need pay only once to deforest in the present.” And political instability leads to more deforestation because “the current administration places lower value on future conservation payments.”</p> <p></p> <p>Even so, national political measures can work. In the Amazon from 2001 to 2005, Brazilian deforestation rates were three to four times higher than on similar land across the border, but that imbalance vanished once the country passed conservation measures in 2006. However, deforestation ramped up again after a 2014 change in government. Looking at particular monitoring approaches, a study of Brazil’s satellite-based Real-Time System for Detection of Deforestation (DETER), launched in 2004, suggests that a 50 percent annual increase in its use in municipalities created a 25 percent reduction in deforestation from 2006 to 2016.</p> <p></p> <p>How precisely politics matters may depend on the context. In a 2021 paper, Balboni and Olken (with three colleagues) found that deforestation actually decreased around elections in Indonesia. Conversely, in Brazil, one study found that deforestation rates were 8 to 10 percent higher where mayors were running for re-election between 2002 and 2012, suggesting incumbents had deforestation industry support.</p> <p></p> <p>“The research there is aiming to understand what the political economy drivers are,” Olken says, “with the idea that if you understand those things, reform in those countries is more likely.”</p> <p></p> <p>Looking ahead, Balboni and Olken also suggest that new research estimating the value of intact forest land intact could influence public debates. And while many scholars have studied deforestation in Brazil and Indonesia, fewer have examined the Democratic Republic of Congo, another deforestation leader, and sub-Saharan Africa.</p> <p></p> <p>Deforestation is an ongoing crisis. But thanks to satellites and many recent studies, experts know vastly more about the problem than they did a decade or two ago, and with an economics toolkit, can evaluate the incentives and dynamics at play.</p> <p></p> <p>“To the extent that there’s ambuiguity across different contexts with different findings, part of the point of our review piece is to draw out common themes — the important considerations in determining which policy levers can [work] in different circumstances,” Balboni says. “That’s a fast-evolving area. We don’t have all the answers, but part of the process is bringing together growing evidence about [everything] that affects how successful those choices can be.”</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--content--side-column"> <div> <div class="block-inner"> <div class="news-article--share"> <div class="news-article--share--inner"> <h3 class="news-article--share--title">Share<span class="visually-hidden"> this news article on:</span></h3> <ul class="news-article--share--list-items"> <li class="news-article--share--item"> <a class="news-article--share--link" href="https://twitter.com/share?url=https://news.mit.edu/2023/tackling-global-deforestation-crisis-0919" target="_blank"> <svg class="news-article--share--link--icon news-article--share--link--icon--twitter" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="37.347" height="37.347" viewBox="0 0 37.347 37.347"> <g fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2"> <circle cx="18.673" cy="18.673" r="18.673" stroke="none"/> <circle cx="18.673" cy="18.673" r="17.673" fill="none"/> </g> <path fill="currentColor" d="M11.324,8.234,18.408,0H16.73L10.574,7.15,5.666,0H0L7.428,10.817,0,19.446H1.678l6.5-7.55,5.189,7.55h5.666Zm-2.3,2.674L8.272,9.831,2.284,1.264H4.862L9.7,8.177l.752,1.077,6.282,8.987H14.152L9.026,10.907Z" transform="translate(9.653 9.137)" fill="#f55"/> </svg> <span class="news-article--share--link--text visually-hidden">X</span></a> </li> <li class="news-article--share--item"> <a class="news-article--share--link" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://news.mit.edu/2023/tackling-global-deforestation-crisis-0919" target="_blank"><svg class="news-article--share--link--icon news-article--share--link--icon--facebook" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="0" viewBox="0 0 37.347 37.347"> <g fill="none" stroke="currentColor" transform="translate(-23.092 -1686)"> <g transform="translate(23.092 1686)" stroke-width="2"> <circle cx="18.673" cy="18.673" r="18.673" stroke="none"/> <circle cx="18.673" cy="18.673" r="17.673" /> </g> <path d="M7.2,21.4V11.652h3.284l.53-3.813H7.2V5.4c0-1.059.318-1.8,1.907-1.8h2.013V.106C10.8.106,9.533,0,8.156,0A4.589,4.589,0,0,0,3.284,4.978V7.732H0v3.919H3.284V21.4Z" transform="translate(36.163 1694.092)" fill="currentColor" /> </g> </svg> <span class="news-article--share--link--text visually-hidden">Facebook</span></a> </li> <li class="news-article--share--item"> <a class="news-article--share--link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://news.mit.edu/2023/tackling-global-deforestation-crisis-0919" target="_blank"><svg class="news-article--share--link--icon news-article--share--link--icon--linkedin" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="0" viewBox="0 0 37.347 37.347"> <g fill="none" stroke="currentColor" transform="translate(-23.092 -1728)"> <g transform="translate(23.092 1728)" stroke-width="2"> <circle cx="18.673" cy="18.673" r="18.673" stroke="none"/> <circle cx="18.673" cy="18.673" r="17.673" /> </g> <g transform="translate(33 1737)" fill="currentColor" > <rect width="3.857" height="12.36" transform="translate(0.315 6.14)" /> <circle cx="2.204" cy="2.204" r="2.204" transform="translate(0 0)" /> <path d="M20.266,20.074H16.409V14.091c0-1.417,0-3.306-1.968-3.306s-2.283,1.574-2.283,3.149v6.14H8.3V7.715H12V9.368h.079A4.072,4.072,0,0,1,15.7,7.4c3.857,0,4.566,2.519,4.566,5.9Z" transform="translate(-1.766 -1.574)" /> </g> </g> </svg> <span class="news-article--share--link--text visually-hidden">LinkedIn</span></a> </li> <li class="news-article--share--item"> <a class="news-article--share--link" href="http://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://news.mit.edu/2023/tackling-global-deforestation-crisis-0919&title=How%20to%20tackle%20the%20global%20deforestation%20crisis" target="_blank"><svg class="news-article--share--link--icon news-article--share--link--icon--reddit" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="0" viewBox="0 0 37.347 37.347"> <g transform="translate(-23.266 -1768)" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" > <g transform="translate(23.266 1768)" stroke-width="2"> <circle cx="18.673" cy="18.673" r="18.673" stroke="none"/> <circle cx="18.673" cy="18.673" r="17.673" /> </g> <g transform="translate(28.215 1775.1)"> <g transform="translate(1.345 6.517)"> <path d="M17.386,41.478C10.61,41.478,5.1,37.787,5.1,33.252S10.636,25,17.386,25s12.286,3.691,12.286,8.226S24.161,41.478,17.386,41.478Zm0-15.5c-6.222,0-11.284,3.243-11.284,7.25s5.062,7.25,11.284,7.25,11.284-3.243,11.284-7.25S23.608,25.975,17.386,25.975Z" transform="translate(-5.1 -25)" /> </g> <g transform="translate(20.59 -0.1)"> <path d="M80.684,5.067a2.584,2.584,0,1,1,2.584-2.584A2.623,2.623,0,0,1,80.684,5.067Zm0-4.139A1.582,1.582,0,1,0,82.266,2.51,1.57,1.57,0,0,0,80.684.928Z" transform="translate(-78.1 0.1)" /> </g> <g transform="translate(0 7.994)"> <path d="M1.635,36.506a3.146,3.146,0,0,1,1.5-5.906,3.026,3.026,0,0,1,2.215.923l-.712.712a2.166,2.166,0,1,0-2.584,3.427Z" transform="translate(0 -30.6)" /> </g> <g transform="translate(21.935 7.967)"> <path d="M86.97,36.432l-.475-.87a2.169,2.169,0,0,0-1.055-4.06,2.223,2.223,0,0,0-1.529.633l-.712-.712a3.132,3.132,0,0,1,5.352,2.215A3.075,3.075,0,0,1,86.97,36.432Z" transform="translate(-83.2 -30.5)" /> </g> <g transform="translate(7.804 11.368)" fill="currentColor" > <circle cx="1.925" cy="1.925" r="1.925" /> </g> <g transform="translate(15.898 11.368)" fill="currentColor" > <circle cx="1.925" cy="1.925" r="1.925" /> </g> <g transform="translate(13.225 0.269)"> <path d="M50.647,8.313a.334.334,0,0,1-.158-.026.469.469,0,0,1-.29-.633L52.439,1.3l5.484,1.318a.5.5,0,1,1-.237.975L53.072,2.46,51.121,7.97A.507.507,0,0,1,50.647,8.313Z" transform="translate(-50.162 -1.3)" /> </g> <g transform="translate(9.025 17.678)"> <path d="M38.811,69.644c-3.164,0-4.4-1.424-4.456-1.5a.486.486,0,0,1,.738-.633c.026.026,1.081,1.16,3.717,1.16a5.769,5.769,0,0,0,3.876-1.16.47.47,0,0,1,.685,0,.494.494,0,0,1,.026.685A6.513,6.513,0,0,1,38.811,69.644Z" transform="translate(-34.232 -67.332)" /> </g> </g> </g> </svg> <span class="news-article--share--link--text visually-hidden">Reddit</span></a> </li> <li class="news-article--share--item"> <a class="news-article--share--link" href="#" onclick="window.print();return false;"><svg class="news-article--share--link--icon news-article--share--link--icon--print" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="0" viewBox="0 0 37.347 37.347"> <g transform="translate(-24.266 -1810)" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" > <g transform="translate(31.102 1818.23)"> <path d="M20.739,25.448h2.182V18.9H1.1v6.545H3.284v1.1H1.2A1.179,1.179,0,0,1,0,25.331V19.02A1.188,1.188,0,0,1,1.2,17.8H22.8A1.188,1.188,0,0,1,24,19.02v6.311a1.179,1.179,0,0,1-1.2,1.22H20.739v-1.1Z" transform="translate(0 -13.624)" /> <path d="M14.463,31.8a.54.54,0,1,0,0,1.079H30.815a.54.54,0,1,0,0-1.079Z" transform="translate(-10.639 -24.34)" /> <path d="M33.9,60.811H18.6V50.7H33.9V60.811Zm-14.358-.938H32.958V51.638H19.538Z" transform="translate(-14.236 -38.806)" /> <path d="M33.449,5.161H18.2V0H33.449ZM19.138,4.223H32.511V.938H19.138Z" transform="translate(-13.93)" /> <rect width="8.61" height="0.938" transform="translate(7.742 15.109)" /> <rect width="8.61" height="0.938" transform="translate(7.742 17.924)" /> </g> <g transform="translate(24.266 1810)" stroke-width="2"> <circle cx="18.673" cy="18.673" r="18.673" stroke="none"/> <circle cx="18.673" cy="18.673" r="17.673" /> </g> </g> </svg> <span class="news-article--share--link--text visually-hidden">Print</span></a></a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--content--paper-links"> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-4f9701b0c9c9facc23a198cb3c29e8464cd9da1a0d4a2c4e43827a97f90d8cf1"> <header> <h2 class="visually-hidden">Paper</h2> </header> <div><div class="news-article--paper-link"> <span class="news-article--paper-link--icon"><svg class="icon--paper" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="29.5" height="39.912" viewBox="0 0 29.5 39.912"> <path id="iconfinder_12.File_290138" d="M33.029,40.912H10.471A3.471,3.471,0,0,1,7,37.441V4.471A3.471,3.471,0,0,1,10.471,1H26.956a.854.854,0,0,1,.673.343l8.528,8.528a.852.852,0,0,1,.343.673h0v26.9A3.471,3.471,0,0,1,33.029,40.912ZM27.824,3.934V9.676h5.743Zm6.941,7.478H26.956a.867.867,0,0,1-.868-.868V2.735H10.471A1.736,1.736,0,0,0,8.735,4.471V37.441a1.736,1.736,0,0,0,1.735,1.735H33.029a1.736,1.736,0,0,0,1.735-1.735ZM29.559,33.971H13.941a.868.868,0,1,1,0-1.735H29.559a.868.868,0,1,1,0,1.735Zm0-6.941H13.941a.868.868,0,0,1,0-1.735H29.559a.868.868,0,1,1,0,1.735Zm0-6.941H13.941a.868.868,0,0,1,0-1.735H29.559a.868.868,0,1,1,0,1.735Z" transform="translate(-7 -1)" fill="currentColor" fill-rule="evenodd"/> </svg> </span> <span class="news-article--paper-link--url"><a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-economics-090622-024705" target="_blank">Paper: “The Economics of Tropical Deforestation”</a></span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--content--related-links"> <h2>Related Links</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-d1a9f5ebaa8cf152ddcb8c2352acd2d1d2e2da9c4270cbe02733aeeaa804f8ae"> <div><div class="news-article--content--related-links--items"><ul><li><a href="https://economics.mit.edu/people/faculty/benjamin-olken" target="_blank">Ben Olken</a></li><li><a href="https://economics.mit.edu/" target="_blank">Department of Economics</a></li><li><a href="https://shass.mit.edu/" target="_blank">School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences</a></li></ul></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--topics"> <h2>Related Topics</h2> <ul class="news-article--topics-list"> <li class="news-article--topics-list--item"><a href="/topic/economics" hreflang="en">Economics</a></li> <li class="news-article--topics-list--item"><a href="/topic/climate-change" hreflang="en">Climate change</a></li> <li class="news-article--topics-list--item"><a href="/topic/research" hreflang="en">Research</a></li> <li class="news-article--topics-list--item"><a href="/topic/agriculture" hreflang="en">Agriculture</a></li> <li class="news-article--topics-list--item"><a href="/topic/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></li> <li class="news-article--topics-list--item"><a href="/topic/plants" hreflang="en">Plants</a></li> <li class="news-article--topics-list--item"><a href="/topic/emissions" hreflang="en">Emissions</a></li> <li class="news-article--topics-list--item"><a href="/topic/pollution" hreflang="en">Pollution</a></li> <li class="news-article--topics-list--item"><a href="/topic/policy" hreflang="en">Policy</a></li> <li class="news-article--topics-list--item"><a href="/topic/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></li> <li class="news-article--topics-list--item"><a href="/topic/international-relations" hreflang="en">International relations</a></li> <li class="news-article--topics-list--item"><a href="/topic/school-humanities-arts-and-social-sciences" hreflang="en">School of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="news-article--archives"> <h2>Related Articles</h2> <div class="news-article--archives--items"> <article class="news-article--related-archive"> <div class="news-article--related-archive--cover-image"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media-item-image paragraph--view-mode--news-article__archive"> <a href="/2023/clean-alternative-palm-oil-replacement-0622" class="image--link"> <img loading="lazy" src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--frontpage--featured-news.jpg" width="270" height="180" alt="An orange spray bottle that has the text “Palmless” and its slogan on the label lays atop a grassy surface surrounded by tropic, colorful flowers." class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__archive/public/images/202306/MIT_C16-01-PRESS.jpg?itok=90PhMoTW" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--related-archive--descr"> <h3 class="news-article--related-archive--title"> <a class="news-article--related-archive--title--link" href="/2023/clean-alternative-palm-oil-replacement-0622"><span itemprop="name headline">A clean alternative to one of the world’s most common ingredients</span> </span> </a> </h3> </div> </article> <article class="news-article--related-archive"> <div class="news-article--related-archive--cover-image"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media-item-image paragraph--view-mode--news-article__archive"> <a href="/2021/keeping-humanity-central-solving-climate-change-0422" class="image--link"> <img loading="lazy" src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--frontpage--featured-news.jpg" width="270" height="180" alt="Barefoot woman on a ladder, adjusting a solar light" class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__archive/public/images/202104/india-streetlight.jpg?itok=vEMeRrrW" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--related-archive--descr"> <h3 class="news-article--related-archive--title"> <a class="news-article--related-archive--title--link" href="/2021/keeping-humanity-central-solving-climate-change-0422"><span itemprop="name headline">Keeping humanity central to solving climate change</span> </span> </a> </h3> </div> </article> <article class="news-article--related-archive"> <div class="news-article--related-archive--cover-image"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media-item-image paragraph--view-mode--news-article__archive"> <a href="/2013/3q-olken-economic-impact-of-climate-change-1127" class="image--link"> <img loading="lazy" src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--frontpage--featured-news.jpg" width="270" height="180" alt="Benjamin Olken " class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__archive/public/images/201311/20131126161254-1_1.jpg?itok=CyoKxksB" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--related-archive--descr"> <h3 class="news-article--related-archive--title"> <a class="news-article--related-archive--title--link" href="/2013/3q-olken-economic-impact-of-climate-change-1127"><span itemprop="name headline">3 Questions: Benjamin Olken on the economic impact of climate change</span> </span> </a> </h3> </div> </article> <article class="news-article--related-archive"> <div class="news-article--related-archive--cover-image"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media-item-image paragraph--view-mode--news-article__archive"> <a href="/2012/the-economic-cost-of-increased-temperatures-0807" class="image--link"> <img loading="lazy" src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--frontpage--featured-news.jpg" width="270" height="180" alt="" class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__archive/public/images/201208/20120806161909-0.jpg?itok=9IgH-9KD" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--related-archive--descr"> <h3 class="news-article--related-archive--title"> <a class="news-article--related-archive--title--link" href="/2012/the-economic-cost-of-increased-temperatures-0807"><span itemprop="name headline">The economic cost of increased temperatures</span> </span> </a> </h3> </div> </article> </div> <p class="news-article--archives--nav"> <button class="news-article--archives--nav--button news-article--archives--nav--button--previous"><svg class="arrow--point-west--slider" data-name="Group 2041" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" width="0" viewBox="0 0 16.621 30.183"> <defs> <clipPath id="clip-path"> <path id="Path_494" data-name="Path 494" d="M0-126.293H16.621V-96.11H0Z" transform="translate(0 126.293)" /> </clipPath> </defs> <g id="Group_112" data-name="Group 112" clip-path="url(#clip-path)"> <g id="Group_111" data-name="Group 111" transform="translate(0 0)"> <path id="Path_493" data-name="Path 493" d="M-48.055-96.11a1.522,1.522,0,0,1-1.081-.448L-62.7-110.12a1.529,1.529,0,0,1,0-2.163l13.562-13.562a1.528,1.528,0,0,1,2.162,0,1.529,1.529,0,0,1,0,2.163L-59.454-111.2l12.48,12.48a1.529,1.529,0,0,1,0,2.163,1.524,1.524,0,0,1-1.081.448" transform="translate(63.146 126.293)" /> </g> </g> </svg> <span class="visually-hidden">Previous item</span></button> <button class="news-article--archives--nav--button news-article--archives--nav--button--next"><span class="visually-hidden">Next item</span><svg class="arrow--point-east--slider" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" width="0" viewBox="0 0 16.621 30.183"> <defs> <clipPath id="clip-path"> <path id="Path_496" data-name="Path 496" d="M0-126.293H16.621V-96.11H0Z" transform="translate(0 126.293)"/> </clipPath> </defs> <g id="Group_2042" data-name="Group 2042" transform="translate(16.621 30.183) rotate(180)"> <g id="Group_115" data-name="Group 115" clip-path="url(#clip-path)"> <g id="Group_114" data-name="Group 114" transform="translate(0 0)"> <path id="Path_495" data-name="Path 495" d="M-48.055-96.11a1.522,1.522,0,0,1-1.081-.448L-62.7-110.12a1.529,1.529,0,0,1,0-2.163l13.562-13.562a1.528,1.528,0,0,1,2.162,0,1.529,1.529,0,0,1,0,2.163L-59.454-111.2l12.48,12.48a1.529,1.529,0,0,1,0,2.163,1.524,1.524,0,0,1-1.081.448" transform="translate(63.146 126.293)" /> </g> </g> </g> </svg></button> </p> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="block-block-news-article-recent-news" class="page--section news-article--recent-news"> <div class="page--section--inner"> <h2 class="news-article--recent-news--section-title">More MIT News</h2> <div class="news-article--recent-news--content"> <div class="news-article--recent-news--content--row"> <div class="news-article--recent-news--content--list-item odd"> <article role="article" about="/2025/mixing-beats-history-technology-0217" class="news-article--recent-news--teaser"> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--cover-image"> <a class="image--link" href="/2025/mixing-beats-history-technology-0217"><img src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--frontpage--featured-news.jpg" width="390" height="260" alt="Philip Tan guides student Karl Velazquez, who is standing over a turntable with his finger on the platter" loading="lazy" class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__recent_news/public/images/202501/mit-philip-tan.jpg?itok=yWivTLKs" /> </a> </div> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--descr"> <h3 class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--title"> <a class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--title--link" href="/2025/mixing-beats-history-technology-0217">Mixing beats, history, and technology</a> </h3> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--dek"> Students in a unique MIT course taught by research scientist, DJ, and game designer Philip Tan explore DJ’ing and tech culture with a hands-on approach. </div> <p class="news-article--recent-news--full-story visually-hidden"> <a href="/2025/mixing-beats-history-technology-0217" class="news-article--recent-news--full-story-link">Read full story</a> → </p> </div> </article> </div> <div class="news-article--recent-news--content--list-item even"> <article role="article" about="/2025/body-of-knowledge-0214" class="news-article--recent-news--teaser"> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--cover-image"> <a class="image--link" href="/2025/body-of-knowledge-0214"><img src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--frontpage--featured-news.jpg" width="390" height="260" alt="Six students circle one another, each with an arm extended into the center of their circle" loading="lazy" class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__recent_news/public/images/202502/mit-dance-class.jpg?itok=8rSWjtu5" /> </a> </div> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--descr"> <h3 class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--title"> <a class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--title--link" href="/2025/body-of-knowledge-0214">Body of knowledge</a> <span class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--contains-video--icon"><svg class="icon--watch-video" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20"> <g id="if_play_1814112" transform="translate(-8.2 -8.2)"> <g id="Icon-Play" transform="translate(8.2 8.2)"> <path id="Fill-124" d="M-109.8-249.8a10,10,0,0,1-10-10,10,10,0,0,1,10-10,10,10,0,0,1,10,10,10,10,0,0,1-10,10Zm0-18.912a8.946,8.946,0,0,0-8.912,8.912,8.946,8.946,0,0,0,8.912,8.912,8.946,8.946,0,0,0,8.912-8.912,8.919,8.919,0,0,0-8.912-8.912Z" transform="translate(119.8 269.8)" fill="currentColor"/> <path id="Fill-125" d="M-103-247.165V-258.3l8.136,5.59L-103-247.165Zm1.075-8.926v6.717l4.874-3.336-4.874-3.381Z" transform="translate(110.493 262.713)" fill="currentColor"/> </g> </g> </svg></span> </h3> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--dek"> A new MIT class explores the pedagogical possibilities of dance. </div> <p class="news-article--recent-news--full-story visually-hidden"> <a href="/2025/body-of-knowledge-0214" class="news-article--recent-news--full-story-link">Read full story</a> → </p> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--recent-news--content--row"> <div class="news-article--recent-news--content--list-item odd"> <article role="article" about="/2025/ai-model-deciphers-code-proteins-tells-them-where-to-go-0213" class="news-article--recent-news--teaser"> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--cover-image"> <a class="image--link" href="/2025/ai-model-deciphers-code-proteins-tells-them-where-to-go-0213"><img src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--frontpage--featured-news.jpg" width="390" height="260" alt="Two micrographs. On the left, small, bright green fuzzy dots appear within a larger space. On the right, the bright green coloration is dispersed throughout most of the space" loading="lazy" class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__recent_news/public/images/202502/mit-ProtGPS.jpg?itok=6UMNJ1xX" /> </a> </div> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--descr"> <h3 class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--title"> <a class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--title--link" href="/2025/ai-model-deciphers-code-proteins-tells-them-where-to-go-0213">AI model deciphers the code in proteins that tells them where to go</a> </h3> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--dek"> Whitehead Institute and CSAIL researchers created a machine-learning model to predict and generate protein localization, with implications for understanding and remedying disease. </div> <p class="news-article--recent-news--full-story visually-hidden"> <a href="/2025/ai-model-deciphers-code-proteins-tells-them-where-to-go-0213" class="news-article--recent-news--full-story-link">Read full story</a> → </p> </div> </article> </div> <div class="news-article--recent-news--content--list-item even"> <article role="article" about="/2025/study-reveals-phoenix-galaxy-cluster-extreme-cooling-0213" class="news-article--recent-news--teaser"> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--cover-image"> <a class="image--link" href="/2025/study-reveals-phoenix-galaxy-cluster-extreme-cooling-0213"><img src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--frontpage--featured-news.jpg" width="390" height="260" alt="The Phoenix cluster of galaxies has green and purple overlays." loading="lazy" class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__recent_news/public/images/202502/MIT-PhoenixStars-A1.jpg?itok=MAsMi7T1" /> </a> </div> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--descr"> <h3 class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--title"> <a class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--title--link" href="/2025/study-reveals-phoenix-galaxy-cluster-extreme-cooling-0213">Study reveals the Phoenix galaxy cluster in the act of extreme cooling</a> </h3> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--dek"> Observations from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope help to explain the cluster’s mysterious starburst, usually only seen in younger galaxies. </div> <p class="news-article--recent-news--full-story visually-hidden"> <a href="/2025/study-reveals-phoenix-galaxy-cluster-extreme-cooling-0213" class="news-article--recent-news--full-story-link">Read full story</a> → </p> </div> </article> </div> </div> <div class="news-article--recent-news--content--row"> <div class="news-article--recent-news--content--list-item odd"> <article role="article" about="/2025/engineers-enable-drone-determine-its-position-dark-and-indoors-0213" class="news-article--recent-news--teaser"> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--cover-image"> <a class="image--link" href="/2025/engineers-enable-drone-determine-its-position-dark-and-indoors-0213"><img src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--frontpage--featured-news.jpg" width="390" height="260" alt="A drone has two green sensors on top. Two sets of radio waves, one horizontal and one vertical, emanate from the sensor to a rectangular sensor." loading="lazy" class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__recent_news/public/images/202502/MIT-Self-Local-01-press.jpg?itok=2coQALWR" /> </a> </div> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--descr"> <h3 class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--title"> <a class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--title--link" href="/2025/engineers-enable-drone-determine-its-position-dark-and-indoors-0213">Engineers enable a drone to determine its position in the dark and indoors</a> <span class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--contains-video--icon"><svg class="icon--watch-video" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20"> <g id="if_play_1814112" transform="translate(-8.2 -8.2)"> <g id="Icon-Play" transform="translate(8.2 8.2)"> <path id="Fill-124" d="M-109.8-249.8a10,10,0,0,1-10-10,10,10,0,0,1,10-10,10,10,0,0,1,10,10,10,10,0,0,1-10,10Zm0-18.912a8.946,8.946,0,0,0-8.912,8.912,8.946,8.946,0,0,0,8.912,8.912,8.946,8.946,0,0,0,8.912-8.912,8.919,8.919,0,0,0-8.912-8.912Z" transform="translate(119.8 269.8)" fill="currentColor"/> <path id="Fill-125" d="M-103-247.165V-258.3l8.136,5.59L-103-247.165Zm1.075-8.926v6.717l4.874-3.336-4.874-3.381Z" transform="translate(110.493 262.713)" fill="currentColor"/> </g> </g> </svg></span> </h3> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--dek"> A new low-power system using radio frequency waves takes a major step toward autonomous, indoor drone navigation. </div> <p class="news-article--recent-news--full-story visually-hidden"> <a href="/2025/engineers-enable-drone-determine-its-position-dark-and-indoors-0213" class="news-article--recent-news--full-story-link">Read full story</a> → </p> </div> </article> </div> <div class="news-article--recent-news--content--list-item even"> <article role="article" about="/2025/pivot-bio-uses-microbial-nitrogen-sustainable-agriculture-0213" class="news-article--recent-news--teaser"> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--cover-image"> <a class="image--link" href="/2025/pivot-bio-uses-microbial-nitrogen-sustainable-agriculture-0213"><img src="/themes/mit/src/img/placeholder/placeholder--frontpage--featured-news.jpg" width="390" height="260" alt="Aerial view of a farm with large silos." loading="lazy" class="ondemand" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_article__recent_news/public/images/202502/MIT-pivot-bio-01-press.jpg?itok=7lM4RWf6" /> </a> </div> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--descr"> <h3 class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--title"> <a class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--title--link" href="/2025/pivot-bio-uses-microbial-nitrogen-sustainable-agriculture-0213">Pivot Bio is using microbial nitrogen to make agriculture more sustainable</a> </h3> <div class="news-article--recent-news--teaser--dek"> The nitrogen product developed by the company, which was co-founded by Professor Chris Voigt, is being used across millions of acres of American farmland. </div> <p class="news-article--recent-news--full-story visually-hidden"> <a href="/2025/pivot-bio-uses-microbial-nitrogen-sustainable-agriculture-0213" class="news-article--recent-news--full-story-link">Read full story</a> → </p> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <ul class="news-article--recent-news--cta-list"> <li class="news-article--recent-news--cta-item"><a href="/" class="news-article--recent-news--cta-item--link">More news on MIT News homepage</a> →</li> </ul> </div> </div> <footer class="site-footer"> <div class="site-footer--inner" data-nosnippet> <div class="site-footer--intro"> <div class="site-footer--logo"> <div class="site-footer--logo--mit-news"> <h2> <a class="logo-mit-news" href="/"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="0" viewBox="0 0 350.922 78.577" class="logo mit-news-logo"> <g class="tagline" transform="translate(0.487 66.798)"> <g> <path d="M12.132,61.991a5.519,5.519,0,0,1-5.866,5.753A5.554,5.554,0,0,1,.4,61.854a5.809,5.809,0,0,1,1.816-4.383,6.04,6.04,0,0,1,4.05-1.37C9.9,55.965,12.132,58.43,12.132,61.991Zm-8.939-.137c0,2.328,1.117,3.7,3.073,3.7s3.073-1.37,3.073-3.7-1.117-3.835-3.073-3.835C4.45,58.156,3.193,59.526,3.193,61.854Z" transform="translate(-0.4 -55.965)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M17.884,67.531l-3.352-5.753-1.257-2.191v7.944H10.9V56.3h2.793l3.212,5.616c.419.822.7,1.37,1.257,2.328V56.3h2.374V67.531Z" transform="translate(3.765 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M32.441,59.972a2.177,2.177,0,0,0-2.374-1.644c-1.955,0-3.073,1.37-3.073,3.7s1.117,3.7,2.933,3.7a2.319,2.319,0,0,0,2.514-2.055h2.793c-.279,2.6-2.374,4.109-5.308,4.109-3.492,0-5.727-2.328-5.727-5.89S26.435,56,29.927,56c2.793,0,4.749,1.507,5.168,3.835H32.441Z" transform="translate(9.042 -56)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M36.731,65.2l-.7,2.328H33.1L37.29,56.3h3.352l3.771,11.231H41.341l-.7-2.328Zm2.1-6.438-1.4,4.383h2.654Z" transform="translate(12.572 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M47.209,67.531,45.533,61.5a6.062,6.062,0,0,1-.279-1.1,3.476,3.476,0,0,0-.279-.685v7.807H42.6V56.3h3.771l1.536,5.89a17.317,17.317,0,0,1,.559,2.6c0-.274.14-.274.14-.411l.14-.685a4.758,4.758,0,0,0,.14-.822,2.356,2.356,0,0,0,.14-.685l1.536-5.89h3.771V67.531H51.958V59.724a2.958,2.958,0,0,1-.419,1.233,1.343,1.343,0,0,0-.14.548l-1.676,6.027H47.209Z" transform="translate(16.341 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M56.054,67.531H53.4V56.3h4.609a4.736,4.736,0,0,1,3.212.822A3.7,3.7,0,0,1,62.479,60a3.373,3.373,0,0,1-.978,2.6,4.044,4.044,0,0,1-2.933,1.1H56.054Zm2.1-6.027a1.515,1.515,0,1,0,0-3.013h-2.1v3.15h2.1Z" transform="translate(20.626 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M71.2,56.2v7.67a3.174,3.174,0,0,1-1.257,2.876,5.531,5.531,0,0,1-3.492.959,5.8,5.8,0,0,1-3.492-.959A3.334,3.334,0,0,1,61.7,63.87V56.2h2.654v7.4c0,.822.14,1.1.419,1.37a3.034,3.034,0,0,0,1.676.548,1.759,1.759,0,0,0,1.536-.548c.419-.274.419-.685.419-1.37V56.2Z" transform="translate(23.918 -55.926)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M77.684,59.8v-.137c0-.959-.838-1.507-2.1-1.507s-1.955.411-1.955,1.1c0,.411.419.822,1.117.959l2.374.548a5.282,5.282,0,0,1,2.654,1.1,2.861,2.861,0,0,1,.838,2.191c0,2.328-1.816,3.7-4.889,3.7-3.212,0-5.028-1.507-5.028-3.972h2.654c0,1.233.838,1.918,2.374,1.918,1.4,0,2.235-.411,2.235-1.233,0-.548-.419-.959-1.257-1.1l-2.374-.548a4.257,4.257,0,0,1-2.514-1.1,2.738,2.738,0,0,1-.978-2.191c0-2.191,1.816-3.424,4.749-3.424a4.661,4.661,0,0,1,4.05,1.644,4.541,4.541,0,0,1,.7,2.191H77.684Z" transform="translate(27.489 -55.963)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M86.931,65.2l-.7,2.328H83.3L87.49,56.3h3.352l3.771,11.231H91.541l-.7-2.328Zm2.1-6.438-1.4,4.383h2.654Z" transform="translate(32.487 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M99.784,67.531l-3.352-5.753-1.257-2.191v7.944H92.8V56.3h2.793l3.212,5.616c.419.822.7,1.37,1.257,2.328V56.3h2.374V67.531Z" transform="translate(36.256 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M102.1,56.2h4.05c2.374,0,3.631.411,4.749,1.507a5.554,5.554,0,0,1,1.4,3.972,6.348,6.348,0,0,1-1.536,4.246c-.978,1.1-2.374,1.507-4.469,1.507h-4.05V56.2Zm4.469,9.177c1.257,0,1.955-.274,2.374-1.1a5.132,5.132,0,0,0,0-4.657,2.161,2.161,0,0,0-2.235-1.1h-1.955v6.985h1.816Z" transform="translate(39.946 -55.926)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M118.631,65.2l-.7,2.328H115L119.19,56.3h3.352l3.771,11.231h-3.073l-.7-2.328Zm2.1-6.438-1.4,4.383h2.654Z" transform="translate(45.063 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M127.154,67.531H124.5V56.3h5.168a4.621,4.621,0,0,1,3.073.685,2.9,2.9,0,0,1,1.117,2.328,2.8,2.8,0,0,1-1.955,2.739c1.117.411,1.536.959,1.676,2.465l.14,1.644a2.721,2.721,0,0,0,.419,1.507h-2.654a1.058,1.058,0,0,1-.419-.959l-.14-1.507c-.14-1.37-.7-2.055-2.1-2.055h-1.816v4.383Zm2.654-6.574c.978,0,1.536-.411,1.536-1.233s-.559-1.233-1.536-1.233h-2.654v2.6h2.654Z" transform="translate(48.832 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M144.832,61.991a5.867,5.867,0,0,1-11.732-.137,5.809,5.809,0,0,1,1.816-4.383,6.04,6.04,0,0,1,4.05-1.37C142.458,55.965,144.832,58.43,144.832,61.991Zm-8.939-.137c0,2.328,1.117,3.7,3.073,3.7s3.073-1.37,3.073-3.7-1.117-3.835-3.073-3.835C137.011,58.156,135.893,59.526,135.893,61.854Z" transform="translate(52.244 -55.965)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M153.1,56.2v7.67a3.174,3.174,0,0,1-1.257,2.876,5.531,5.531,0,0,1-3.492.959,5.8,5.8,0,0,1-3.492-.959A3.333,3.333,0,0,1,143.6,63.87V56.2h2.654v7.4c0,.822.14,1.1.419,1.37a3.034,3.034,0,0,0,1.676.548,1.759,1.759,0,0,0,1.536-.548c.419-.274.419-.685.419-1.37V56.2Z" transform="translate(56.409 -55.926)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M159.784,67.531l-3.352-5.753-1.257-2.191v7.944H152.8V56.3h2.793l3.212,5.616c.419.822.7,1.37,1.257,2.328V56.3h2.374V67.531Z" transform="translate(60.059 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M162.1,56.2h4.05c2.374,0,3.631.411,4.749,1.507a5.553,5.553,0,0,1,1.4,3.972,6.348,6.348,0,0,1-1.536,4.246c-.978,1.1-2.374,1.507-4.469,1.507h-4.05V56.2Zm4.469,9.177c1.257,0,1.955-.274,2.374-1.1a5.132,5.132,0,0,0,0-4.657,2.161,2.161,0,0,0-2.235-1.1h-1.955v6.985h1.816Z" transform="translate(63.748 -55.926)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M181.385,67.531h-2.654v-9.04H175.1V56.3h9.777v2.191h-3.631v9.04Z" transform="translate(68.906 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M186.454,62.6v4.931H183.8V56.3h2.654v4.246h4.33V56.3h2.654V67.531h-2.654V62.6Z" transform="translate(72.357 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M201.9,58.355h-6.146v2.191h5.308V62.6h-5.308V65.34h6.285v2.191H193.1V56.3h8.8Z" transform="translate(76.046 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M208.312,67.531,205.1,56.3h2.654l1.257,5.068c.279.959.419,1.507.7,2.739a11.82,11.82,0,0,1,.559-2.739l1.117-5.068H213.9l1.117,5.068a23.766,23.766,0,0,1,.559,2.739c.14-.548.279-1.37.559-2.739l1.257-5.068h2.654l-3.352,11.231h-2.514l-1.117-4.657A19.263,19.263,0,0,1,212.5,60c-.279,1.233-.419,1.918-.559,2.876l-1.117,4.657Z" transform="translate(80.807 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M228.532,61.991a5.867,5.867,0,0,1-11.732-.137,5.809,5.809,0,0,1,1.816-4.383,6.04,6.04,0,0,1,4.05-1.37C226.3,55.965,228.532,58.43,228.532,61.991Zm-8.939-.137c0,2.328,1.117,3.7,3.073,3.7s3.073-1.37,3.073-3.7-1.117-3.835-3.073-3.835C220.85,58.156,219.593,59.526,219.593,61.854Z" transform="translate(85.449 -55.965)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M229.954,67.531H227.3V56.3h5.168a4.621,4.621,0,0,1,3.073.685,2.9,2.9,0,0,1,1.117,2.328,2.8,2.8,0,0,1-1.955,2.739c1.117.411,1.536.959,1.676,2.465l.14,1.644a2.721,2.721,0,0,0,.419,1.507h-2.654a1.058,1.058,0,0,1-.419-.959l-.14-1.507c-.14-1.37-.7-2.055-2.1-2.055h-1.816v4.383Zm2.514-6.574c.978,0,1.536-.411,1.536-1.233s-.559-1.233-1.536-1.233h-2.654v2.6h2.654Z" transform="translate(89.614 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M238.954,65.34h5.726v2.191H236.3V56.3h2.654Z" transform="translate(93.184 -55.889)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M244,56.2h4.05c2.374,0,3.631.411,4.749,1.507a5.553,5.553,0,0,1,1.4,3.972,6.348,6.348,0,0,1-1.536,4.246c-.978,1.1-2.374,1.507-4.469,1.507H244Zm4.47,9.177c1.257,0,1.955-.274,2.374-1.1a5.132,5.132,0,0,0,0-4.657,2.161,2.161,0,0,0-2.235-1.1h-1.955v6.985h1.816Z" transform="translate(96.239 -55.926)" fill="#333"/> </g> </g> <g class="mit-news"> <path d="M21.773,55.944,13.867,26.123c-.608-2.5-1.095-4.294-1.46-5.487-.487-1.789-.487-2.147-.973-3.7.122,2.028.122,3.459.122,4.413l.122,5.368V55.944H0V0H18l7.3,29.344c1.095,4.413,2.068,8.946,2.8,12.644q.365-1.61.365-1.789l.973-3.578c.122-.954.487-2.266.851-3.817.487-1.789.851-3.578.851-3.7L38.559,0H56.439V55.944H44.762V26.719l.122-5.368c0-1.074,0-2.386.122-4.413-.973,3.34-1.581,5.606-1.825,6.322-.487,1.551-.73,2.624-.851,2.743l-7.785,29.94Z" fill="#333"/> <path d="M64.294,55.944H51.4V0H64.294Z" transform="translate(11.121)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M97.166,55.944H84.272V10.735H67V0h47.438V10.735H97.166Z" transform="translate(14.497)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M158.372,55.944,142.194,27.316l-5.96-10.855c.122,2.982.122,5.01.122,6.68.122,2.982.122,6.322.122,9.781V55.944H124.8V0h13.38l15.691,27.912c2.189,4.175,3.649,7.157,5.839,11.332-.122-2.266-.122-3.817-.122-5.487l-.122-4.175V0h11.677V55.944Z" transform="translate(27.003)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M181.085,36.911c.73,5.487,4.136,8.588,9.366,8.588,3.284,0,5.6-1.074,7.177-3.578h12.285C207.6,49.793,199.939,54.8,190.086,54.8c-12.772,0-21.286-8.588-21.286-21.352,0-12.644,8.636-21.352,21.165-21.352,8.758,0,15.326,4.294,18.367,11.928,1.46,3.578,2.068,7.276,2.068,12.883Zm16.908-8.469c-.487-4.771-3.284-7.4-8.028-7.4s-7.785,2.624-8.758,7.4Z" transform="translate(36.523 2.333)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M217.485,53.456,205.2,12.9h12.285l3.527,13.24c.973,3.578,2.189,9.781,2.8,13.121,1.216-6.083,2.189-10.735,2.8-13.121l3.527-13.24h10.582l3.649,13.24c1.581,6.2,2.311,9.781,2.919,13.121.73-4.175,1.46-7.873,2.676-13.121l3.284-13.24h12.529L254.1,53.456H242.421l-4.014-14.195c-1.216-4.891-1.946-8.35-3.041-13.6-1.216,5.606-2.189,10.02-3.041,13.6l-3.406,14.195Z" transform="translate(44.398 2.487)" fill="#333"/> <path d="M282.944,25.379c-.487-2.982-3.041-4.652-7.055-4.652-3.527,0-5.839,1.312-5.839,3.34,0,1.551,1.216,2.266,5.109,3.1l7.663,1.551c5.109.954,7.663,2.147,9.366,3.936,1.946,1.789,3.041,4.891,3.041,8.111,0,8.588-7.055,13.956-18.61,13.956-11.434,0-18.61-5.248-19.219-14.314h11.434c.73,3.817,3.284,5.606,8.15,5.606,3.892,0,6.325-1.551,6.325-3.936,0-1.909-1.338-2.982-4.622-3.7l-7.541-1.67c-9.123-1.909-12.529-5.248-12.529-11.69,0-8.111,6.568-13.121,17.637-13.121,10.582,0,17.029,4.652,18.124,13.24H282.944Z" transform="translate(55.693 2.295)" fill="#333"/> </g> </svg><span class="visually-hidden">More about MIT News at Massachusetts Institute of Technology</span></a> </h2> </div> </div> <p>This website is managed by the MIT News Office, part of the <a href="http://comms.mit.edu" target="_blank">Institute Office of Communications</a>.</p> </div> <div class="site-footer--news-by-schools"> <h3>News by Schools/College:</h3> <ul class="site-footer--news-by-schools--list"> <li class="site-footer--news-by-schools--link-item"><a class="site-footer--news-by-schools--link" href="/school/architecture-and-planning">School of Architecture and Planning</a></li> <li class="site-footer--news-by-schools--link-item"><a class="site-footer--news-by-schools--link" href="/school/engineering">School of Engineering</a></li> <li class="site-footer--news-by-schools--link-item"><a class="site-footer--news-by-schools--link" href="/school/humanities-arts-and-social-sciences">School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences</a></li> <li class="site-footer--news-by-schools--link-item"><a class="site-footer--news-by-schools--link" href="/school/management">MIT Sloan School of Management</a></li> <li class="site-footer--news-by-schools--link-item"><a class="site-footer--news-by-schools--link" href="/school/science">School of Science</a></li> <li class="site-footer--news-by-schools--link-item"><a class="site-footer--news-by-schools--link" href="/school/mit-schwarzman-college-computing">MIT Schwarzman College of Computing</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="site-footer--resources"> <h3 class="visually-hidden">Resources:</h3> <ul class="site-footer--resources--list"> <li class="site-footer--resources--link-item"><a class="site-footer--resources--link" href="/mit-news-office/about">About the MIT News Office</a></li> <li class="site-footer--resources--link-item"><a class="site-footer--resources--link" href="/press">MIT News Press Center</a></li> <li class="site-footer--resources--link-item"><a class="site-footer--resources--link" href="/terms-of-use">Terms of Use</a></li> <li class="site-footer--resources--link-item"><a class="site-footer--resources--link" href="/press/inquiries">Press Inquiries</a></li> <li class="site-footer--resources--link-item"><a class="site-footer--resources--link" href="/press/filming-guidelines">Filming Guidelines</a></li> <li class="site-footer--resources--link-item"><a class="site-footer--resources--link" href="/rss">RSS Feeds</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="site-footer--cta"> <h3 class="visually-hidden">Tools:</h3> <ul class="site-footer--cta--list"> <li class="site-footer--cta--link-item"><a class="site-footer--cta--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/mit-daily-weekly/" target="_blank">Subscribe to MIT Daily/Weekly</a></li> <li class="site-footer--cta--link-item"><a class="site-footer--cta--link" href="/press/subscribe-to-press-releases">Subscribe to press releases</a></li> <li class="site-footer--cta--link-item"><a class="site-footer--cta--link" href="/user/login?destination=news-submission">Submit campus news</a></li> <li class="site-footer--cta--link-item"><a class="site-footer--cta--link" href="/resources-for-campus-news-contributors">Guidelines for campus news contributors</a></li> <li class="site-footer--cta--link-item"><a class="site-footer--cta--link" href="/guidelines-generative-ai">Guidelines on generative AI</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </footer> <section class="tle-footer"> <div class="tle-logo"> <div class="tle-logo-mit"> <a class="logo-mit" href="http://web.mit.edu" target="_blank"> <svg class="mit-logo tle--logo-mit" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="200" height="105.882" viewBox="0 0 200 105.882"> <path class="mit-logo-name--color" id="mit_logo_std_rgb_black" d="M265.882,265.882h23.529V195.294H265.882Zm35.294-82.353H360V160H301.176ZM265.882,160h23.529v23.529H265.882ZM230.588,265.882h23.529V160H230.588Zm-35.294-23.529h23.529V160H195.294ZM160,265.882h23.529V160H160Zm141.176,0h23.529V195.294H301.176Z" transform="translate(-160 -160)"/> </svg><span class="visually-hidden">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</span></a> </div> </div> <nav class="tle-footer--nav"> <span class="visually-hidden">MIT Top Level Links:</span> <ul class="tle-footer--nav--list"> <li class="tle-footer--nav--link-item"><a class="tle-footer--nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/education">Education</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--nav--link-item"><a class="tle-footer--nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/research">Research</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--nav--link-item"><a class="tle-footer--nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/innovation">Innovation</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--nav--link-item"><a class="tle-footer--nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/admissions-aid">Admissions + Aid</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--nav--link-item"><a class="tle-footer--nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/campus-life">Campus Life</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--nav--link-item"><a class="tle-footer--nav--link" href="/">News</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--nav--link-item"><a class="tle-footer--nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/alumni">Alumni</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--nav--link-item"><a class="tle-footer--nav--link" href="http://web.mit.edu/about">About MIT</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--nav--link-item better-world"><a class="tle-footer--nav--link" target="_blank" href="http://web.mit.edu/building-a-better-world/"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="arrow--point-northeast"> <g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.5" transform="translate(1 1)"> <polyline points="3 0 14 0 14 11"/> <path d="M14,0 L0,14"/> </g> </svg> Join us in building a better world.</a></li> </ul> </nav> <div class="tle-footer--info"> <p><a href="http://web.mit.edu" target="_blank" class="mit-name">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a><br/>77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, USA</p> <span class="visually-hidden">Recommended Links:</span> <ul class="tle-footer--utility-list"> <li class="tle-footer--utility-item"><a class="tle-footer--utility-link" href="http://web.mit.edu/visitmit">Visit</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--utility-item"><a class="tle-footer--utility-link" href="http://whereis.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Map<span class="visually-hidden"> (opens in new window)</span></a></li> <li class="tle-footer--utility-item"><a class="tle-footer--utility-link" href="http://calendar.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Events<span class="visually-hidden"> (opens in new window)</span></a></li> <li class="tle-footer--utility-item"><a class="tle-footer--utility-link" href="http://web.mit.edu/people.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People<span class="visually-hidden"> (opens in new window)</span></a></li> <li class="tle-footer--utility-item"><a class="tle-footer--utility-link" href="http://careers.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Careers<span class="visually-hidden"> (opens in new window)</span></a></li> <li class="tle-footer--utility-item"><a class="tle-footer--utility-link" href="http://web.mit.edu/contact">Contact</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--utility-item tle-footer--utility-item--privacy"><a class="tle-footer--utility-link" href="http://web.mit.edu/privacy">Privacy</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--utility-item"><a class="tle-footer--utility-link" href="http://web.mit.edu/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--utility-item"> <ul class="tle-footer--social-list"> <li class="tle-footer--social-item"><a target="_blank" class="tle-footer--social-link--title" href="http://socialmediahub.mit.edu">Social Media Hub</a></li> <li class="tle-footer--social-item"><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/mit"><span class="tle-footer--social-link--icon" ><svg class="icon--twitter" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="15.656" height="16" viewBox="0 0 15.656 16"> <path d="M9.317,6.775,15.146,0H13.765L8.7,5.883,4.662,0H0L6.112,8.9,0,16H1.381L6.725,9.788,10.994,16h4.662L9.317,6.775Zm-1.892,2.2-.619-.886L1.879,1.04H4L7.977,6.728l.619.886,5.169,7.394H11.644L7.426,8.974Z" fill="currentColor" fill-rule="nonzero"></path> </svg></span><span class="visually-hidden">MIT on X</span></a></li> <li class="tle-footer--social-item"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/MITnews"><span class="tle-footer--social-link--icon" ><svg class="icon--facebook" width="8" height="16" viewBox="0 0 8 16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M5.32 16H1.773V7.999H0V5.242h1.773V3.587c0-2.249 1-3.587 3.844-3.587h2.367v2.758h-1.48c-1.107 0-1.18.385-1.18 1.104l-.005 1.38H8L7.686 8H5.32V16z" fill="currentColor" fill-rule="nonzero"/> </svg> </span><span class="visually-hidden">MIT on Facebook</span></a></li> <li class="tle-footer--social-item"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/mit"><span class="tle-footer--social-link--icon" ><svg class="icon--youtube" viewbox="0 0 24 17" height="16" width="23" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <path d="M22.938 3.005A2.87 2.87 0 0 0 20.916.984C19.143.5 12.011.5 12.011.5S4.867.512 3.093.996a2.87 2.87 0 0 0-2.022 2.022C.6 4.79.6 8.5.6 8.5s0 3.709.484 5.495a2.87 2.87 0 0 0 2.021 2.021c1.774.484 8.906.484 8.906.484s7.132 0 8.905-.484a2.87 2.87 0 0 0 2.022-2.021c.484-1.774.484-5.495.484-5.495s0-3.709-.484-5.495zm-13.21 8.918V5.077l5.93 3.423-5.93 3.423z" fill="currentColor" fill-rule="nonzero"></path> </svg> </span><span class="visually-hidden">MIT on YouTube</span></a></li> <li class="tle-footer--social-item"><a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/mit"><span class="tle-footer--social-link--icon" ><svg class="icon--instagram" width="18" height="18" viewBox="0 0 16 16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <defs> <path id="a" d="M0 .005h15.257V15.26H0z"/> </defs> <g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g transform="translate(.384 .529)"> <mask id="b" fill="#fff"> <use xlink:href="#a"/> </mask> <path d="M7.629.005c-2.072 0-2.332.009-3.146.046-.812.037-1.366.166-1.851.354a3.74 3.74 0 0 0-1.352.88A3.74 3.74 0 0 0 .4 2.636c-.188.486-.317 1.04-.354 1.852C.009 5.302 0 5.562 0 7.633c0 2.072.009 2.332.046 3.146.037.812.166 1.366.355 1.851.194.502.455.928.88 1.352.424.424.849.685 1.35.88.486.188 1.04.317 1.852.354.814.037 1.074.046 3.146.046 2.071 0 2.331-.009 3.145-.046.812-.037 1.366-.166 1.852-.354a3.74 3.74 0 0 0 1.35-.88 3.74 3.74 0 0 0 .88-1.352c.19-.485.318-1.04.355-1.851.037-.814.046-1.074.046-3.146 0-2.071-.009-2.331-.046-3.145-.037-.812-.166-1.366-.354-1.852a3.74 3.74 0 0 0-.88-1.35 3.74 3.74 0 0 0-1.351-.88c-.486-.19-1.04-.318-1.852-.355C9.96.014 9.7.005 7.629.005zm0 1.374c2.037 0 2.278.008 3.082.045.744.034 1.148.158 1.417.262.356.139.61.304.877.571.267.267.432.521.57.877.105.27.23.673.263 1.417.037.804.045 1.046.045 3.082 0 2.037-.008 2.279-.045 3.083-.034.744-.158 1.148-.262 1.417-.139.356-.304.61-.571.877a2.363 2.363 0 0 1-.877.57c-.269.105-.673.23-1.417.263-.804.037-1.045.045-3.082.045s-2.279-.008-3.083-.045c-.744-.034-1.148-.158-1.417-.263a2.363 2.363 0 0 1-.877-.57 2.364 2.364 0 0 1-.57-.877c-.105-.27-.23-.673-.263-1.417-.037-.804-.044-1.046-.044-3.083 0-2.036.007-2.278.044-3.082.034-.744.158-1.148.263-1.417.138-.356.303-.61.57-.877.267-.267.521-.432.877-.57.27-.105.673-.23 1.417-.263.804-.037 1.046-.045 3.083-.045z" fill="currentColor" mask="url(#b)"/> </g> <path d="M8.013 10.705a2.543 2.543 0 1 1 0-5.086 2.543 2.543 0 0 1 0 5.086zm0-6.46a3.917 3.917 0 1 0 0 7.835 3.917 3.917 0 0 0 0-7.835zM13 4.09a.915.915 0 1 1-1.83 0 .915.915 0 0 1 1.83 0" fill="currentColor"/> </g> </svg> </span><span class="visually-hidden">MIT on Instagram</span></a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </section> </div> <script src="/themes/mit/assets/js/modernizr.js?sr9zlq"></script> <script src="/themes/mit/assets/js/main.js?sr9zlq"></script> </body> </html>