Former U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu delivers Sept. 17 lecture on reducing carbon emissions
Chu, a Nobel laureate, argued that the fight against climate change requires intense changes to industry and the economy
Sabine Chu–The Tech
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, Steven Chu delivered the Department of Chemistry’s 2025-26 A.D. Little Lecture, titled “The Challenges in Getting to Net-Zero GHG Emissions.” In 1997, Chu won the Nobel Prize in Physics for laser cooling methods. From 2009 to 2013, Chu was the U.S. Secretary of Energy under the Obama administration. As secretary, Chu vigorously advocated for renewable energy and reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. He has continued these efforts since leaving the Department of Energy in 2013, when he rejoined the physics faculty of Stanford University.
The A.D. Little Lecture, whose audience filled the 6-120 auditorium, followed previous MIT talks by Chu in 2009 and 2011. He began his lecture by emphasizing the low likelihood of attaining the United Nations’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5º C higher than pre-industrial levels. He also underscored that heat-trapping effects in the oceans represent only a sliver of possible climate effects. He added that current climate models remain flawed, not just because computing power is limited, but also because they are unable to reliably predict precipitation and extreme weather events.
Chu highlighted the many systems that must change to incorporate new materials and technologies. Although he praised proof-of-concept research showing that modified carbon can be a better conductor than copper, he also said that this technology is not yet cost-effective. Pointing to inventions from the steam engine to the transistor, he noted that “the overriding history is that new materials are the significant driver of most innovations and most revenue.” Chu included silicon photovoltaic cells, which make up solar panels, in his count, and he underscored how recent research has greatly increased these cells’ energy efficiency.
Transitioning to a discussion of transmission systems and battery storage, he again brought up the economic and infrastructure strictures on energy innovation, noting the lack of truly low-price electric vehicles or corresponding rapid charging stations.
He stated that energy use will only increase in the next few years due to the rising popularity of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. After highlighting several promising energy sources that could address these needs, including clean hydrogen, solar, and nuclear power, Chu also included potential risks for each, including cost, public perception, and technical maturity.
Later, he considered potential climate-friendly changes to agriculture. Along with the standard adage to decrease meat production, Chu discussed bioengineering innovations that could improve plants’ capacity to capture carbon dioxide.
After receiving sustained applause, Chu finished with a short Q&A section, including a question from The Tech on how he would advise students who are interested in discussing climate change with people without scientific backgrounds. He answered that many concepts, like global warming, are fairly accessible. These ideas gain even more power when posed in moral terms.
“People do good things in part because they don’t want to do the bad thing,” Chu said. He acknowledged that thinking about climate change can cause people discomfort. However, according to Chu, “they should feel uncomfortable.”