Events

As climate change leads to increased temperatures and extreme weather patterns, drought is becoming more and more of a concern at the Arboretum. Staff have been working hard to install irrigation systems around the landscape since the record-breaking drought of 2016, working to increase the resiliency of our collections to periods of drought and dry weather, and this fall represents one of the biggest irrigation projects yet. Join Head of Operations and Project Management Danny Schissler and Head Operator Jed Romanowiz to learn how the Arboretum keeps trees watered in areas without irrigation, the Arboretum’s plans for new irrigation installations, and how all of these systems actually work.

This summer, wildfire smoke degraded air quality across parts of Canada, the U.S., and other regions. In this event, experts will explain how wildfire smoke affects the lungs, heart, and body; who is most at risk; and how to reduce exposure. The discussion will cover practical steps for individuals, schools, and workplaces, including improving indoor air filtration, using portable air cleaners, and wearing protective masks.

The Salata Institute and the Harvard Alumni Association invite you to the latest installment of Harvard Voices on Climate Change, a virtual series featuring Harvard faculty and fellows on different dimensions of the climate challenge.

This session will explore El Niño in a warming world and what a changing climate could mean for this powerful driver of global weather patterns. Featuring Peter Huybers, Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering, the discussion will examine how our understanding of El Niño is evolving, its far-reaching impacts, and what we may expect as the planet continues to warm.

Randi Rotjan , Associate Professor of Biology , Tufts University | Protecting Global Oceans in the Anthropocene

Abstract: The oceans are 71% of our planet, and yet are still largely unexplored, especially in the deep and open oceans. New species are discovered on almost every deep-sea dive, and even with increased exploration efforts, we are still discovering massive underwater mountains, canyons, and other features. Yet, even with so much unknown, decisions cannot wait for discovery. In an era of global change, biological communities in even the most remote parts of our planet are feeling the impact of human societies and are vulnerable to depletion or extinction. To combat this, global targets for protection have set a goal of protecting 30% of oceans by 2030. This seminar will unpack the science behind large scale marine conservation, and discuss how to explore the unexplored, and how to protect the unprotected.

Friday 9/18 12pm-1pm - Introductory Presentation
Saturday 9/19 9am-5:30pm - GLG Workshop & Reception

The Global to Local to Global (GLG) Climate Mitigation Project, in collaboration with Esri, has initiated an innovative workflow to address climate change mitigation through a structured framework designed to implement global-to-local-to-global projects. The GLG strategy creates a scalable geodesign workflow compatible across global, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and diverse jurisdictions and geographic scales directed to projected environmental changes by 2050. It utilizes climate science and optimization designs to inform national to local designs– which, in turn, informs national and global policy, as local implementation is vital for building climate resilience.

Geodesign - design at geographic scale - provides a collaborative approach that integrates multiple disciplines and uses geographical information systems (GIS)-based analytic and design tools to help explore alternative future scenarios in response to stated problems. In this workshop, participants will work in groups to simulate commitments to climate mitigation projects at the regional or local scale, in consultation with national NDCs, climate, land use, land cover, and bio-regional data and their projections to 2050. Their selections will be used to quickly generate a global geospatial model of climate-driven scenarios resulting from combined mitigation actions, to which groups will be asked to respond to how global and national outcomes may inform future design conditions.

This in-person workshop is open to all from Harvard/MIT and participants from the broader academic community. No prior knowledge of GIS is required.

As temperatures soar and geopolitics roil, leaders and experts will head to Climate Week NYC with pressing questions about pathways to climate action and resilience. Join Harvard's Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability on Tuesday, September 22, for an afternoon of sessions focused on two core climate challenges: decarbonizing economies and confronting extreme heat. Stay and connect with Harvard alumni, researchers, practitioners, and leaders at an evening reception co-sponsored by Harvard Alumni for Climate and the Environment.

Registration is required.

Bring your office and school supplies, books, small household items, & clothes, if you have extra to share. Pick up something new-to-you for FREE, plus make friends, and help build a sustainability-minded community!

Note: We do not accept large items such as furniture. All items must be clean and in good, reusable/working condition. Bring a box or bags to take home your goodies. Leftover items will be donated. HUID required for building entry.

Questions? Contact susan_bottino@harvard.edu

Join us to connect and build a sustainability-minded community. We'll be gathering to paint garden rocks while we discuss sustainability topics. HUID required for building entrance.

Please RSVP to susan_bottino@harvard.edu

Join us on October 2nd to hear from alumni, industry leaders, founders, and CEOs who are shaping the future of food and agriculture in the face of the climate crisis.

Snacks and coffee will be served during the event, and the program will conclude with a networking session with the speakers—an opportunity to continue the conversation and build new connections.

How has food become less affordable for so many American families, and what will it take to close the gap? Denis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America, and Julie Gehrki, President of the Walmart Foundation, will discuss what they are seeing on the ground as food insecurity and affordability pressures continue to strain communities across the country.

McDonough leads the nation's largest hunger relief organization, working with a nationwide network of food banks to meet immediate need while advocating for longer term solutions; Gehrki oversees the Walmart Foundation's investments in food access and affordability, including its Healthier Food for All initiative. In this fireside chat, they will explore how affordability pressures are showing up in communities, what approaches are proving effective, and what it will take from the private sector, nonprofits and philanthropy to make progress.

The discussion will be moderated by Sara Boettiger, Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School working with the Global Food Systems Program.