The Harvard Gazette

Greenhouse Gases

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Aerial photo of Alaska

No laughing matter

The warming Arctic permafrost may be releasing more nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, than previously thought

Science|

DateJune 6, 2019July 9, 2019

Poor diet and air pollution are two of the leading drivers of disease across the world, according to Aaron Bernstein, associate director for the Center for Health and the Global Environment, who lectured on “The Health Benefits of Going Green” as part of the Ed Portal’s Faculty Speaker Series.

A better way of living

Speaker extols health benefits of going green — for our bodies and our planet

Health|

DateJune 12, 2018March 12, 2019

“We know enough to know that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the most cost-effective strategy to preventing health outcomes that we don’t want," says Aaron Bernstein, associate director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment.

For better health, reduce greenhouse gases

Climate change affects health ‘across the board’ says Chan School director

Health|

DateFebruary 24, 2017March 3, 2017

“We’re way out of the natural range. If there’s a symbol of us being at a dangerous level, it’s that we’re already at 400 parts per million,” said Ralph Keeling (photo 1), the son of the late Charles Keeling, whose “Keeling curve” alerted the world to rising carbon dioxide levels in the 1960s. Keeling was joined by Daniel Schrag (photo 2), director of the Harvard University Center for the Environment, for an event titled “Brave New World! Entering an Age of Climate Change Beyond 400 PPM.”

Another step in the wrong direction

Scientists look beyond alarming milestone in carbon dioxide levels

Science|

DateMay 7, 2014

This NOAA tall tower greenhouse gas observatory near Moody, Texas, collects data on methane in the atmosphere. The report also indicates that the contribution from livestock operations may be twice as high as previously thought. Photo courtesy of NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory

U.S. methane emissions exceed government estimates

Collaborative study indicates fossil fuel extraction, animal husbandry major contributors

Science|

DateNovember 25, 2013April 10, 2019

A new joint study by Harvard and Nanjing universities takes into account small-scale sources of carbon dioxide, such as the burning of crop waste.

Carbon counter

Scientists release first ‘bottom-up’ estimates of China's CO2 emissions

Science|

DateJuly 8, 2012May 22, 2019

Observed change in surface air temperature between 1930 and 1990. Observations are from the NASA GISS Surface Temperature Analysis. "The primary driver of the warming hole is the aerosol pollution — these small particles," said lead author Eric Leibensperger. "What they do is reflect incoming sunlight, so we see a cooling effect at the surface."

‘Warming hole’ delayed climate change

50-year model suggests regional pollution obscured a global trend

Science|

DateApril 27, 2012June 26, 2019

Harvard Kennedy School alumnus Lester Brown, M.P.A. ’62 (left), received the first-ever Distinguished Service Award. Brown, who was introduced by Professor Jim McCarthy (right) as an “environmental Paul Revere,” spoke for several minutes about trends that have contributed to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions in the United States after a peak in 2007. Angela Crispi, associate dean for administration at Harvard Business School, looks on.

Green stars

Awards recognize team, individual sustainability efforts

Campus|

DateApril 13, 2012March 13, 2019

Peter Huybers, professor of earth and planetary sciences, confirmed that slow changes in both the tilt and orientation of Earth’s spin axis combined to help determine when the major deglaciations of the past million years occurred.

Of orbits and ice ages

Researcher confirms that axis shifts help to propel temperature changes

Science|

DateJanuary 10, 2012

A vote for more natural gas

Revolution in field could boost U.S. energy independence, industry leader says

Science|

DateDecember 1, 2011April 1, 2019

$Susan Tierney, who was assistant secretary for policy at the U.S. Department of Energy under President Bill Clinton, said that pollution and environmental problems do occur in conjunction with shale gas extraction, but because the fracking occurs thousands of feet below the deepest aquifers, problems are most likely tied to how the well penetrates the aquifer rather than the fracking process itself.$

Weighing the risks of fracking

Former U.S. energy official examines potential and risks of shale gas extraction

Science|

DateOctober 28, 2011September 12, 2019

Reducing dependence on foreign oil and reducing greenhouse gases are the two major challenges of U.S. energy systems, Steven Koonin, undersecretary for science at the U.S. Department of Energy, told a Harvard audience. To meet these challenges, he said, the government’s best role is to mitigate risk in the energy industry and to leverage innovation.

Pondering energy’s future

One key, U.S. scientist says, is to foster innovation

Science|

DateSeptember 22, 2010June 13, 2019

“Trees and the Global Environment,” hosted by the Plant Biology Initiative, brought worrisome news from tropical forest experts. One potential area of positive news could be nearby, in the Harvard Forest, said Steven Wofsy, the Rotch Professor of Atmospheric and Environmental Science at Harvard.

Trees tell of shifting world

Questions abound on effects of climate change on atmosphere

Science|

DateApril 30, 2010May 6, 2019

SEAS students, faculty, and staff also are exploring other pathways to sustainability. Some are personal-scale pathways. Others are large, such as the Maxwell Dworkin Building.

How to engineer change

At SEAS, technical minds are seeing green

Campus|

DateApril 29, 2010June 18, 2019

Harvard University research technician Josh McLaren works on a tower collecting environmental data at the Harvard Forest in Petersham, Mass.

Battling climate change on all fronts

Harvard works to record, understand, and counter global shifts

Science|

DateApril 15, 2010March 5, 2019

During Earth Week, Harvard staff and students help clean up along the Charles River as part of its environmental outreach, which has grown over the years.

Campaign to turn Crimson green

Acting locally, Harvard has ramped up energy savings while driving down usage

Campus|

DateApril 15, 2010

The greening of the Law School

Sweeping effort results in 22 percent energy cut in four years

Campus|

DateApril 1, 2010June 21, 2019

Current U.S. farming and food systems are like much of modern Western life, intensively dependent on oil. Farming requires fertilizers, tractors, and carbon-based transportation systems, author-turned-activist Bill McKibben ’82 told his audience at Harvard Divinity School. “The food you eat is essentially marinated in fossil fuel before it reaches your lips."

Reality check

Environmentalist Bill McKibben reimagines life on a fragile planet

Science|

DateMarch 9, 2010May 31, 2019

Classrooms in Aldrich Hall make use of recessed, energy-saving lights, ventilation screens, and motion detectors.

Bottom line gets a touch of green

Harvard Business School works to rein in energy use

Campus|

DateMarch 4, 2010

New source of natural gas

Industry official says new extraction technique is dramatically increasing supplies

Science|

DateFebruary 25, 2010May 21, 2019

Volunteers from the Office for Sustainability collect unwanted mail in collection areas around the campus.
Eco-citizens Sage Kochavi (clockwise from left), Montana Higo, Dara Olmsted, and Claire Reardon participate in a “junk mail party” to unsubscribe people from companies’ mailing lists.

FAS continues greening its scene

Programs show broad-based reductions in energy use

Campus|

DateFebruary 4, 2010

Chef Brian Corcoran (left) and Harvard Dining Services buyer John Aiken staff the local foods table during a green fair at Dudley House in December.

Taming the energy beast

Harvard makes progress in trimming greenhouse gas emissions

Campus|

DateDecember 17, 2009

Energy adviser Maxine Savitz told her Science Center audience, “Deploying existing energy-efficient technology is the nearest term and lowest-cost option.”

Just use less

Energy savings to be big part of nation’s energy future

Science|

DateNovember 18, 2009

Around the Schools: Faculty of Arts and Sciences

News|

DateOctober 29, 2009

Workplace, green place

Simple, subtle steps to Earth-friendly offices

Campus|

DateOctober 1, 2009

Around the Schools: Faculty of Arts and Sciences

News|

DateOctober 1, 2009

University aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions following new task force report

Campus|

DateJuly 8, 2008

Costa Rican minister outlines plan to achieve carbon neutrality through reforms

Science|

DateMay 22, 2008