Rising to the Climate Challenge
Rising to the Climate Challenge
With the crisis upon us, the Harvard community is advancing and catalyzing research across all of our Schools to create comprehensive University-wide environmental education and real-world climate solutions.
Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability
In June we announced the creation of the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, a groundbreaking new entity that will advance and catalyze research programs across all of Harvard’s Schools and enable comprehensive cross-University education in climate and the environment.
From our campus to the world
Climate research is no longer a topic only for environmental scientists; so many of our students, scholars, scientists, and artists are focused on this growing crisis. A recent report explores how Harvard can leverage these strengths to address this enormously complex, global problem head-on.
Engineering solutions
A better battery
Researchers have developed a new method for electricity storage without the use of rare elements.
Green solutions for tough industries
New research shows how industries like iron, steel, cement, and building materials can potentially utilize clean hydrogen.
Eco-friendly air conditioning
Researchers are building an evaporative-cooling-based system that uses a specially coated ceramic to cool air without adding humidity.
The work we do now is for a future we may never see. But … [it] may be the most consequential work that any of us will ever do.”Lindi von Mutius, sustainability program director at Harvard Extension School
Conversations with experts
How best to approach climate change policy
With so many of the nation’s environmental regulations being tested in the courts, technological solutions may be the most promising way to address climate change.
Strengthening carbon offsets
Geosystem Professor Myles Allen discusses carbon offsets and how to help organizations reduce risk and improve transparency in their use of carbon offsets to support their net zero goals.
Designing for climate change, restoration ecology, and sewage
In the inaugural episode of the “Design Now” podcast we hear from people working in and around the School about the existential threat posed by climate change.
By supporting rigorous interdisciplinary research, I believe that we can generate powerful new tools for reducing … the climate crisis.”Tomiko Brown-Nagin, dean of Harvard Radcliffe Institute, on the Climate Change Initiative
The past, present, and future of climate change
Thoreau and a changing climate
This exhibition invites visitors to experience emotionally resonant connections to the profound loss of natural diversity caused by human-induced climate change through the work of Henry David Thoreau.
Climate actions worth celebrating
The Climate Optimist newsletter highlights stories of climate research, explanations on the progress we're making, and actions everyone can take to help.
Educating children on climate change
To help young children feel empowered in the face of climate change, Harvard Graduate School of Education alum Keya Lamba developed a developmentally appropriate and scientifically accurate curriculum.
Nothing is inevitable; everything’s evitable; and that’s really important.”Michael Pollan, celebrated author, professor of the practice of nonfiction at Harvard, and Weather Reports featured speaker
Implications for health
Diseases take flight with climate change
The changing climate is providing opportunities for insects and other animals to spread infectious diseases to new populations.
Linking oral health and climate change
The Green Team and Sustainability Committee are focused on Harvard School of Dental Medicine’s dental waste and setting a standard for the community moving forward.
An end for “forever chemicals”
With plasma, Harvard alum-founded venture Onvector can break "forever chemical" molecules into their base elements and essentially neutralize them.
MethaneSAT … is a satellite that will measure, detect, and quantify methane emissions globally, at an unprecedented resolution."Ju Chulakadabba, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Ph.D. student in Environmental Science and Engineering.
Policies for the planet
A breath of fresh air
Claire Henly's White House fellowship is focused on the Global Methane Pledge, a worldwide diplomatic effort to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
Advancing renewable energy retrofits
Explore the challenges and opportunities for home retrofits that improve energy-efficiency.
The environmental aspects of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act
Staff Attorney Hannah Perls explores the considerations and unknowns in the act that may determine how state and local governments implement these changes.