Sustainability
Four All-Electric Shuttles Unveiled at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The shuttles — which the University purchased in February to curb its use of fossil fuels — will replace four bio-diesel buses that comprise over 30 percent of the bus fleet at Harvard.
HMS Professor Presents Highly-Anticipated Climate Change Report at Webinar
The panelists worked through the contents of the report, which cautioned that climate change is having a severe and inequitable impact on human health around the world.
Harvard Greenhouse Gas Emissions Flatlined for Fifth Straight Year in 2020
Nearly every aspect of Harvard’s operations changed in 2020, with much of the campus left empty due to Covid-19. But the University’s campus greenhouse gas emissions remained stagnant for a fifth straight year last year, according to preliminary data released Friday as part of the University’s 2020 sustainability report.
Jim Stock, Longtime Economics Professor, to Serve as First Harvard Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability
Harvard announced Tuesday it would create a new vice provost position to oversee its efforts related to climate change and sustainability and appointed Harvard economics professor James H. Stock to the role.
Preventing Future Pandemics Depends on Environmental Action, Harvard Task Force Finds
Environmental efforts, such as forest preservation and wildlife trade regulation, are essential to preventing future pandemics, Harvard and international experts found in a report released Wednesday.
Philip Kreycik ’06, Who Died at 37 After Going Missing on Run, Remembered for ‘Quiet Strength’ and ‘Adventurous Spirit’
Philip Kreycik '06, an environmentalist and avid adventurer, disappeared on a trail run outside Pleasanton, Calif. on July 10. In a testament to his impact, hundreds rallied for a search and rescue effort that the Alameda County Sheriff's Office called one of the largest ever on the West Coast.
Allston Science and Engineering Complex Receives LEED Platinum Certification
Harvard’s new Science and Engineering Complex in Allston has received two top sustainability distinctions — LEED platinum status and the Living Building Challenge Petal certification, according to a Wednesday press release.
Harvard Falls Short on 2020 Goals to Reduce Waste and Water Use
Despite reductions in campus greenhouse gas emissions, Harvard failed to meet 2020 waste and water reduction goals set forth by the University’s 2014 Sustainability Plan.
Students Push for On and Off Campus Sustainability Efforts
Members of the Harvard Undergraduate Resource Efficiency Program have adapted their work to suit a virtual semester, pushing students to make sustainable choices and working to engage students on environmental issues before this fall’s elections.
Panel Examines Combating Climate Change Through Private and Public Reforms
Climate leaders, Harvard faculty, and current students discussed the governmental actions and economic reforms needed to address climate change during an online webinar on Thursday.
Harvard Forms Presidential Committee on Sustainability
Harvard has created a “Presidential Committee on Sustainability” to advise University President Lawrence S. Bacow and other top administrators, the University announced Monday.
Harvard Green Initiative
Pedestrians walk by a recycling bin in Harvard Square on Tuesday afternoon.
Divinity School Sustainable Building
Swartz Hall, located at the Harvard Divinity School, is undergoing serious renovations with the goal to create a more sustainable building. The construction project will upgrade the building's electrical, plumbing, and climate control systems.
Swartz Hall Renovations Involve Reducing Chemical Presence in Building
Scientific research from Harvard’s Healthier Building Materials Academy is being used to reduce chemical presence in the building formerly known as Andover Hall, according to a blog post from the Divinity School Director of Operations Ralph DeFlorio.
Harvard Pilots ‘Space-Age Technology’ in New Lowell Suite
Freshly renovated Lowell House features a new "Dynamic Energy Suite" – a six-bedroom pod of dorm rooms with built-in technological enhancements that monitor power consumption and adjust lighting for better sleep and energy efficiency.
Lowell House Sustainability
A Harvard student reads a panel documenting the energy consumption of different rooms in Lowell House.
Harvard Summarizes Campus Development and Statistics in Annual Town Gown Report
Harvard presented its annual Town Gown report to the Cambridge Planning Board Tuesday, outlining 2018 campus infrastructure projects, University initiatives, and affiliate statistics.
Students Pack Harvard College Women’s Center for Environmental Justice Discussion
Six different student groups hosted the event, in which participants discussed the challenges facing environmental justice activism on campus.
Environmental Discussion
Julie S. Chung ('20) poses a question to the attendees of the Environmentalism as Social Justice discussion.
Environmental Discussion
James H. Coleman ('21) responds to a discussion question about the Green New Deal, a political initiative designed to address climate change. Other discussion topics included intersectionality in environmentalism and media coverage of climate change.
City of Cambridge Urges Residents to Recycle, Compost As Part of 'Zero Waste' Initiative
“Zero Waste importantly does not mean zero trash, but it does try to bring us to a more sustainable waste diversion and recycling and reduction practice,” said Vice Mayor Jan Devereux.
A Look Inside the Smith Campus Center, Harvard's New 'Living Room'
When visitors enter the newly opened Smith Campus Center, they'll walk past green, plant-covered walls before grabbing a cup of coffee and finding a comfy seat.
2017 Sustainability Report Highlights Progress, Features New Graphics
The Office for Sustainability released its 2017 Sustainability report, highlighting reductions in trash production per capita and water use, among other improvements.
Sustainability Group Builds 'Mt. Trashmore'
Freshmen making their way to Annenberg on Wednesday morning passed by a mountain of trash including greasy pizza boxes, rotting food, and crumpled red cups.
Mt. Trashmore
Mt. Trashmore, a towering mountain made of all of Harvard Yard's Tuesday trash, appeared Wednesday outside Annenberg Memorial Hall. The Resource Efficiency Program (REP) created this mountain and the numerous signs around it to draw attention to how much we throw away every day; to encourage recycling; and to give passersby tips about sustainability.