Sustainability & Environment

Venture capitalist and “water evangelist” Tom Ferguson MBA ’14 funds early-stage companies that are focused on developing technologies to help solve the often-overlooked water crisis.

Engineer and strategic consultant Raquel Schreiber SB ’15, MS/MBA ’21 has advised startups on a wide range of climate solutions, from soil regeneration to palm oil alternatives.

As founder of Chaku Foods, Nikki Okrah MBA ’21 is helping to boost the incomes of Ghanian farmers and reduce food waste by turning surplus plantain yields into consumer goods. 

Students from the U.S. and beyond took a deep dive into issues of climate change, equity, and public health at an annual weeklong summit at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

A Harvard-led project aims to help Springfield, Massachusetts—and, eventually, other older cities across the U.S—minimize the “urban heat island” effect. Urban heat islands are city areas with lots of concrete and asphalt that absorb high levels of solar radiation and have few trees to provide shade, resulting in temperatures that can be 10-12 degrees higher than areas with more vegetation.

A study found that participants in the Climate Health Organizing Fellows Program improved their understanding of the historical context of climate change and the health inequities it creates, and also gained confidence in their ability to do something about it.

A multi-institutional research initiative has been awarded $12 million over five years by the U.S. National Science Foundation for its “potential to revolutionize computing and make significant impacts in reducing the carbon footprint of the lifecycle of computers.”

A large study led by Harvard Chan School researchers found that people who closely followed the Planetary Health Diet—which emphasizes minimally processed whole grains and vegetables but allows for some meat and dairy—significantly lowered their risk of premature death while also reducing their carbon footprint.

A new gift from Dan Emmett JD ’64 and the Emmett Foundation will expand and enhance Harvard Law School’s work in environmental law and create a first-of-its-kind environmental law moot court.

Can sea level rise be slowed? A new Harvard project called Sea Level Investigation and Management (SLIM), made possible by a generous gift from Cornelius “Neil” Prior Jr. LLB ’62, aims to find out.