Overview
In this deep dive, we will take an in-depth look at climate change, a particularly complex challenge facing society. Bringing in multiple perspectives from the university, we will cover a broad range of topics addressing climate science, the societal impacts of climate change, and actionable solutions.
Our first day will begin with a Climate Change 101 session to provide foundational knowledge on why climate change is happening and what we should expect in the coming decades. We will then examine impacts of climate change on public health, and explore the legal and policy landscape as it relates to climate change. We will conclude the day with a discussion of corporate approaches to decarbonization, providing insight into how businesses are working to reduce their carbon footprint while navigating strategic and regulatory challenges.
On the second day, we will discuss the risks posed by the physical manifestations of climate change, and how organizations are managing those risks. We will then address the emotional and psychological dimensions of climate change. We will conclude by learning how Harvard is decarbonizing its campus, highlighting examples from the Harvard Enterprise Research Campus, before taking an optional tour of Harvard’s modern, award-winning District Energy Facility that provides heating, cooling, and power to a growing number of buildings in Allston.
With a mix of academic discussions, policy insights, and real-world applications, this deep dive will provide a comprehensive exploration of climate challenges and responses.
Post-Session Materials
Thursday, February 27th
Climate 101 (Daniel Jacob)
Climate Change: A Public Health and Health Equity Crisis (Gaurab Basu)
Further listening: ‘A Silent Killer’: Extreme Heat and Your Health, Chasing Life Podcast with Dr. Sanjay GuptaLinks to an external site.
Corporate Decarbonization (Shirley Lu)
Slides (To be added)
Best Practices among Corporate Decarbonizations (Mike Toffel)
Friday, February 28th
How Investors Think About Risk, Readiness, and Resources (John Macomber)
Feeling into Climate Change: Grief, Hope and Action when the World’s on Fire (Rebecca Henderson)
Reflections (Mike Toffel)
Decarbonization in Action: Harvard Enterprise Research Campus (Heather Henriksen)
Slides (To be added)