Harvard acts on Earth Day

Millions of people from across the country came together to fight for a healthier and more sustainable future on the first Earth Day in 1970. Here at Harvard, the student group Harvard Ecology Action led several activities – covered in this Harvard Crimson article from the time.

On the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, with celebrations and events around the world canceled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and Harvard students, faculty, and staff learning, teaching, and working across the globe, the Harvard Office for Sustainability (OFS) is raising awareness and inspiring action online.

We invite everyone who has the availability and capacity to engage on a number of exciting virtual events, thought-provoking activities, and smart sustainable practices.

NEWS

How is Coronavirus (COVID-19) connected to climate change?

Harvard C-CHANGE has released a Q&A with Director Dr. Aaron Bernstein answering questions related to the environment and Coronavirus.
READ MORE

Photo: Pixabay user geralt

Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary And COVID-19's Impact On The Climate Crisis

WGBH’s Callie Crossley hosted an interesting conversation about how COVID-19 is affecting climate featuring Harvard C-CHANGE's Dr. Aaron Bernstein. READ MORE

Photo: Bebeto Matthews/AP

How Earth Day Gave birth to environmental movement

The Harvard Gazette's Christina Pazzanese interviews former Harvard Kennedy School Student and co-founder of Earth Day Denis Hayes to learn about the first event in 1970.
READ MORE

Photo: Courtesy of Denis Hayes

CLIMATE ACTION DURING COVID-19

The Student Climate Change Conference at Harvard was held on April 18 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and discuss climate change in the time of COVID-19. Keynote speakers climate activist and founder of 350.org Bill McKibben, CEO of Impossible Foods Pat Brown, and Sunrise Movement activists Saya Ameli Hajebi and Kevin Criscione shared concrete and immediate actions to combat climate crisis.

THIS WEEK: EARTH DAY VIRTUAL EVENTS

Tuesday, April 21
HBS EARTHFEST 2020 - Beehives & Business: Why sustainability leaders are bringing bees to work

1 pm

Wednesday, April 22
Harvard Division of Continuing Education (DCE) Global Earth Day 50th Anniversary Celebration

9:30 am

Wednesday, April 22
HBS EARTHFEST 2020 - The Future of Food: Helping the World One Bite at a time

4 pm

Wednesday, April 22
Earth Day Network - 24 hours of action

Wednesday, April 22
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) - Happiness & Sustainability Around the Earth 24 hour webinar

#SUSTAINABLEHARVARD

JOIN OUR SOCIAL MEDIA MOVEMENT AND LEARN HOW TO KEEP SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES WHEREVER YOU ARE CONNECTING FROM

The Cardboard Break Down

Do you have boxes at home? OFS and Harvard Recycling & Waste Management invite you to join #TheCardboardBreakDown. Breaking down cardboard boxes conserves space in the recycling bin and makes transportation more efficient. Harvard Dean Khurana and Jack Daley ‘21 have already made a habit of it.
Photo: Jack Daley '21

Pantry Challenge

We teamed up with Harvard Business School for a Pantry Challenge. Eat healthier, try new plant-based recipes, and prevent food waste. Share your pictures and tag @HarvardHBS, @GreenHarvard, #PantryChallenge. We may repost your delicious dish. Looking for inspiration? DefaultVeg and Meatless Monday have (huge) collections of recipes.

HARVARD VOTES CHALLENGE

IN HONOR OF EARTH DAY, VOTE!

Voting in every election is one of the most important things you can do for our planet’s sustainability. Every day, our elected leaders are making policy decisions that impact the health of our environment. Voting and informing yourself about the candidates and issues ensures the well-being of our planet and the people who call it home.

In honor of Earth Day, vote! Take a few minutes and visit the Harvard Votes Challenge website to register to vote, check your voting status, update your registration, request an absentee ballot or simply learn much more about this nonpartisan initiative at Harvard University that strives to build a civic culture by increasing voter registration and participation among students, staff, and faculty.

VISIT THE HARVARD VOTES CHALLENGE WEBSITE

SUSTAINABLE TIP

"Harvard Environmental Economics Program (HEEP) has a podcast, Environmental Insights, in which Professor of Energy and Economics at Harvard Kennedy School Robert N. Stavins engages in conversations about environmental economics and policy. Many of the episodes focus on, or at least touch on, climate change policy and market-based approaches to environmental protection."

- Alida Monaco, OFS intern and junior in Cabot House studying Environmental Science and Public Policy

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN...

STAY CONNECTED TO CAMPUS

Explore Harvard Museum of Natural History exhibit videos and go on a virtual tour of the Widener Library. Be inspired by the Office for the Arts at Harvard daily series Pause for Art: Creative Moments from Harvard.

LEARN FROM YOUTH LEADERS
Find out more about indigenous youth leader Tokata Iron Eyes at Women of Marvel podcast.

GET TO KNOW (MORE)

Learn more about David Buckley Borden and Davit Nava. These two artists raise awareness of environmental issues having exhibited their artwork at Harvard.

DONATE

The Coronavirus pandemic has worsened food insecurity in the U.S. For those who are able to donate, the Food Law and Policy Clinic at Harvard put up a resource page.