Sustainability
HLS Environmental Experts Criticize Trump’s ‘Illegal’ Environmental Protection Agency Rollbacks
Harvard Law School Environmental and Energy Law Program Executive Director Carrie Jenks and HLS Professor Richard Lazarus discussed the “chaos” of President Trump’s recent Environmental Protection Agency rollbacks at a Salata Institute forum on Tuesday.
Utilities May Charge Public to Offer Discounts for Big Tech, HLS Report Finds
Members of the public pay a portion of energy bills for the world’s largest tech players as electric utility companies aim to subsidize the rapid growth of data centers from corporations including Meta and Amazon. The findings were reported by the Harvard Law School’s Electricity Law Initiative last month.
Harvard Affiliates Anticipate Uncertain Landscape for Climate Research Funding
Since taking office in January, Trump has repeatedly targeted environmental regulation — withdrawing from the Paris Accords, cutting staff at the Environmental Protection Agency, and even issuing an executive order banning paper straws at federal agencies. In late February, the administration cut funding to any research that mentions the word “climate.”
Janet Yellen Joins the Salata Institute’s Inaugural Advisory Board
Former Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen will join the Harvard Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability as a member of a newly formed external advisory board, the organization announced last week.
Local Black-Owned Soapmaking Business Wins State-Wide Sustainability Award
The Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts recently recognized a Cambridge Black-owned business as one of the most environmentally conscious small businesses in the state.
Harvard Will Purchase Power from Two Renewable Energy Projects Through Climate Consortium
Harvard announced Wednesday that it will help finance two utility-scale renewable energy projects through the Consortium for Climate Solutions, an agreement with institutions including MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Harvard Hires 8 New Climate Faculty Across FAS, Graduate Schools
Harvard hired eight new climate faculty members in 2024 as the Salata Institute continues to expand climate research and hiring, the University announced earlier this month.
Harvard Updates Standards, Increases Funding for Sustainable Infrastructure
Harvard University announced its 2024 Sustainable Building Standards and the tripling of the University’s Green Revolving Fund from 12 million to 37 million this month.
Harvard Kennedy School ‘Greenplexity’ Tool Debuts at COP29
Harvard Kennedy School’s Growth Lab debuted an interactive online tool — dubbed “Greenplexity” — to help countries identify opportunities for green growth at the United Nations’ COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Friday.
First ‘Freecycle’ Event of the Semester Held in Smith Center
The Harvard Office for Sustainability hosted its first Freecycle event of the semester at the Smith Campus Center on Tuesday.
Harvard Researchers Suggest Green Hydrogen Will Remain Costlier Than Projected
Harvard researchers found in a recent study that prices for green hydrogen — hydrogen fuel created from sustainable energy sources — will remain high.
‘Make It Easy, Make it Tasty’: How Harvard’s Dining Services Influences Student Food Choices
In Harvard’s dining halls, every array of food has been carefully constructed. Harvard University Dining Services selects particular tray placements, serving station names, and menus based on student preferences to meet sustainability and local sourcing goals.
Cambridge Officials Celebrate Start of $77 Million Fire Station Renovations
Top Cambridge officials celebrated the start of long-delayed renovations on the Cambridge Fire Department Headquarters at a Tuesday groundbreaking ceremony at the 491 Broadway Street construction site.
Harvard’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Increased by 2.3 Percentage Points in 2023
Harvard’s net greenhouse gas emissions increased by 2.3 percentage points from 2022 even as it’s on track to meet its goal of becoming fossil fuel-neutral by 2026, per the University’s annual sustainability report.
Harvard Public Health School Appoints Mary Rice as New Director of C-CHANGE
The Harvard School of Public Health appointed Mary B. Rice, a pulmonary and critical care physician and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, as the next director of its Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment. She will lead C-CHANGE starting Oct. 1.
Cambridge Hires Julie Wormser as Inaugural Chief Climate Officer
The City of Cambridge has hired longtime climate policy advocate Julie E. Wormser as its inaugural chief climate officer. She will head the city’s Office of Sustainability starting Oct. 1.
Harvard Public Health School Launches New Climate Change and Planetary Health Concentration
The Harvard School of Public Health rolled out a new concentration this fall titled “Climate Change and Planetary Health,” exploring the effect of climate change on the planetary health crisis.
Temporary Vertical Garden ‘Polinature’ Opens at GSD
A vertical garden at the Harvard Graduate School of Design opened to the public last Tuesday as an example of how immediate, low-cost solutions can mitigate extreme heat for vulnerable populations.
Debra Haaland Touts Biden Climate Agenda, Celebrates HLS Grads in Class Day Speech
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Debra A. Haaland addressed Harvard Law School’s Class of 2024 during the school’s Class Day ceremony on Holmes Field Wednesday afternoon
Youth Action Group Led by Harvard Undergrad Sues Maine for Failure to Meet Climate Goals
The Maine Youth Action — a political action organization co-founded by Cole A. Cochrane ’27 — alongside the Conservation Law Foundation and Sierra Club sued the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Maine Board of Environmental Protection on Friday for a failure to meet its pledged climate goals.
Adams House Announces Climate Funding Program for Student Projects
Adams House, one of Harvard’s twelve upperclassmen houses, launched Adams Works on Climate earlier this month — a two-year program to fund climate projects led by Adams residents.
New HES Sustainability, Global Development Degrees Director Hopes to Strengthen Programs
The Harvard Extension School appointed Michael J. Mortimer to lead the school’s Sustainability and Global Development Practice master’s degree programs earlier this year, as he seeks to fill gaps and refine the program curriculum.
Harvard Affiliates Testify Against Oil Drilling on California Harvard-Owned Land
The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission voted to approve an exploratory oil drilling project on former Harvard land holdings in California on Jan. 31, following testimony on environmental repercussions.
Cambridge City Council Maps Agenda For Term, Announces New Role for Climate Sustainability
The Cambridge City Council convened a special meeting Tuesday with city officials to set term priorities and announce the creation of a new position focused on climate resilience.
More than 30 Harvard Students and Faculty Attended COP28, Expressing Optimism on Climate Initiatives
More than 30 Harvard students and faculty traveled to Dubai to attend COP28, the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, last month.