Sustainable Solutions Lab
Recent Publications
Trade risks in net-zero emissions energy scenarios
Nature Climate Change | April 9, 2025
We analyze changes in country-level trade risks in >1000 scenarios that reach net-zero energy emissions, taking into account imports and sources of both energy carriers and materials to meet demand, and find that reductions in fuel-related risks largely offset the increase in material-related risks in more than 70% of countries worldwide, assuming no changes in current trading relationships.
Long-range PM2.5 pollution and health impacts from the 2023 Canadian wildfires
Nature | September 10, 2025
We use satellite observations, machine learning and a chemical transport model to estimate the number of deaths worldwide attributable to the Canadian wildfires of 2023. In total, we find that the fires may have caused nearly 90,000 premature deaths, concentrated in the U.S. and Europe--downwind regions with larger populations than Canada itself.
Food without agriculture
Nature Sustainability | November 6, 2023
Edible molecules can be directly synthesized without agricultural feedstocks, saving land, water and GHG emissions. Dietary fats made from natural gas feedstock and average U.S. electricity would emit ~0.8 gCO2-eq/kcal (and 0 if using atmospheric carbon and renewable electricity) compared to 1-3 gCO2-eq/kcal from agricultural fat production.
Recent News
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Canada's 2023 wildfires contributed to 87,000 early deaths worldwide, study estimates
The health impacts from Canada's worst wildfire stretched into Europe, Asia and Africa, a new study reveals. -
E.P.A. to Stop Updating Popular Database After Lead Scientist Criticized Trump
The database, which helps companies calculate their greenhouse gas emissions, will continue under a consortium that includes Stanford University.
