Harvard Research

Harvard has a distinguished history of research in climate and climate-related fields. Harvard faculty helped to develop a fundamental understanding of the chemistry, physics, and biology of our planet’s climate system. Their work has changed the way we think about interactions among the atmosphere, the land, and the ocean, and how these shape Earth’s climate. That work continues, with ongoing discoveries in wide-ranging areas, such as atmospheric chemistry climate dynamics, geophysics, solar geoengineering, and climate-related data science.

Two female scientist working in a laboratory.
AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
THE SALATA INSTITUTE FOR CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY
Rows of butterflies in technicolor

Wings and Wavelengths

Professor Naomi Piece has created a new device that allows her team to complete multi-spectral scans and identify unique nanostructures on butterfly wings. Her research team will use this knowledge to inform bio-inspired design of materials with functions including enhanced thermoregulation, IR radiative cooling, and UV resistance.

Feb 13, 2023
Two scientists analizing a graph in a compute screen.

On the Battery Frontier

Harvard Associate Professor of Materials Science, Xin Li is developing the energy storage materials of the future. The Li Lab has created solid state batteries that outperform current lithium-ion batteries used today. Their research is pushing boundaries that could lead to major breakthroughs for electric vehicle technology.

Feb 13, 2023
Close shot of two researchers talking to each other in a laboratory

Cooling Off: Low-Carbon Alternative to AC

The Aizenberg Lab is reimagining air-conditioning in order to meet growing global demand for cooling while combatting climate change. Their novel evaporative cooling technology uses advanced materials science and design to make affordable, environmentally-positive eco-friendly air conditioners that work in most climates without the use of synthetic refrigerants.

Feb 13, 2023
Cover of the

Is the Brain Relevant to Climate Change? 

Ann-Christine Duhaime of Harvard Medical School is using her expertise in neuroscience to explore how the design of the human brain and its inherent response and reward systems are influencing the way we perceive, respond to, and behave towards climate change.

Feb 13, 2023
Aerial view of a bank of blueish nimbus clouds.

the harvard university center for the environment

is an interdisciplinary hub of research, learning, and collaboration for all things related to the environment on campus and beyond

LEARN MORE ABOUT HUCE
Aerial view of a solar panel array.

Harvard Climate

Research Drives Solutions

Full view of the Cloudroom, a bioclimatic design structure.
Feb 13, 2023
Aerial view of a fishing village with stilt houses over a nearby lake.
Feb 14, 2023
Profile shot of Mauricio Santillana holding his new book
Feb 13, 2023

The Salata institute

The Salata Institute supports interdisciplinary research that leads to real-world action; high-risk/high-reward projects by researchers already working in the climate area; and new endeavors that make it easier for Harvard scholars, who have not worked on climate problems, to do so.