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
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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
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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
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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.
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.
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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.
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