Rescinding the endangerment finding isn’t a way to eliminate bureaucracy, as our government has claimed. It’s a moral and scientific failure.
The Greenhouse Gas Inventory provides an overview of the town’s emissions in 2022, benchmarking them against the previous 2018 report. Notable progress was made during that time; Harvard has demonstrated leadership in the adoption of heat pumps, EVs and solar installations. Our tree cover and land preservation plays a significant role in offsetting our emissions but emissions from transportation and housing challenges remain. Scroll down to see our progress through 2025.
HARVARD’S REPAIR CAFE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED!
Repair Cafe Harvard is an HCIC initiative that promotes repair as an alternative to throwing things “away”.
Heat pumps are advancing across America!
Work is underway on ‘river’ heat pump complex
in Boston and Cambridge Massachusetts!
Eco-Friendly Holiday Shopping: Tips to Reduce Waste, Emissions and
Make a Positive Impact While Celebrating the Season
On November 13, 2025, The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the Department of Energy Resources (DOER)’s certification of the second group of Climate Leader Communities
Jane Flegal is a prominent American climate policy expert and social scientist with extensive experience in government, philanthropy, and academia. Her work focuses on developing and implementing climate change policies, particularly those related to technology, industrial emissions, and equity.
Dr. Tamara Shapiro Ledley is a STEM education consultant, Earth and climate scientist, and an Adjunct Professor at Bentley University.
Did you know that each year Massachusetts households, businesses, and institutions discard enough garbage that, when compacted, would fill 3,000 Olympic swimming pools? At this rate, officials estimate that our existing landfills will close by 2030. Composting can reduce the volume of waste bound for landfills by 30-50%. It could reduce our Transfer Station trash costs by reducing the trash volume when many more residents compost. Few Harvard residents, however, have the ability or the space to…
Neighbors knowing and helping neighbors in times of storms is a way to keep everyone safe. As the Massachusetts climate changes—getting hotter, more frequent storms, potential tornados and wildfires—knowing one another and how we can help each other will make it safer for all of us.
Rich is a member of the Harvard Climate Initiative and a contributor to The Harvard Press, where he writes a column on the climate crisis.
October 3, 2025: Since my column last month on the climate repercussions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a number of readers have asked what they can do to help in these dark times…
From Coast to Coast: Thousands Unite to Demonstrate that Clean Energy is Ready Now. Join us at our Sun Day event!
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law this summer, contained numerous provisions, but its most significant changes were in the area of climate change.
Massachusetts has introduced new SMART incentives to support solar energy. These incentives offer stable payments for solar power generation, adapt yearly to market changes, and provide extra bonuses for projects that benefit the public, such as those in low-income areas or on unused land.
The Harvard Climate Initiative entertained the crowds in the 4th of July Parade with an orchestrated brigade of electric lawnmowers and blowers, choreographed to “I’ve Got the Power.”
Celebrate Earth Day in May by meeting homeowners who will share their knowledge and experiences about sustainable living choices they have made. Registration helps us with planning (button above).
How to register actions and testimonials on the HarvardEnergize website to get a “Going Green Flag”.
Is solar right for you? We are hosting our first community Solar Coaching session at the General Store.
Here’s your opportunity to find out!
Find out more about MassSave current incentives for heat pumps. The Mass Save 3-Year Plan for 2025-2027 is awaiting state approval, but incentives for early 2025 are in place.
Are you considering heat pumps for heating & cooling your home or heating your water – but don’t know where to start? The Harvard Climate Initiative wants to help. We host meet-ups with volunteer coaches a few times a year. Here’s your chance to get your questions answered.
This exhibit highlights the beauty of the diverse environments of the Nashua River Watershed: the river with all its tributaries, its wildlife, plant life and the lands and communities it nourishes.
Harvey Leonard, WCVB-TV Channel 5 Chief Meteorologist Emeritus, presenting “Climate Change: SIMPLE…SERIOUS…SOLVABLE”
Heat Pumps Coaching Meeting in January and Solar Coaching Meeting in March. Harvard neighbors will be there to help those interested in learning about the options.
Let’s keep them out of the waste stream. Residents tossed them into a dump truck hard enough to smash most of them!
Local author Rich Marcello and long time resident Lucy Wallace discuss his 6th novel “The Means of Keeping” – a profound exploration of grief, friendship, and the indelible impact of climate change on personal and global scales.
Don’t miss this short video of the creative, self-directed project from Bromfield student Ibrahim Shabra. He has built a tower that represents the rising global temperatures over time. Congratulations, Ibraham, on an innovative and graphic demonstration of our planet’s temperature rise!
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The Specialized Energy Code (Fall Town Meeting Article 13) was adopted! It enhances Harvard’s existing building code to promote energy efficiency, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and encourage electrification.
We’ll be at the Harvard Lions Club Fall Fest with Electric Vehicles, Electric Lawn & Garden Tools plus Carnival Games for all ages.
The climate crisis is a defining challenge of our time, one that demands our immediate attention and action. While the consequences of inaction may seem daunting, the urgency of addressing the crisis offers us an extraordinary opportunity to make a positive impact.
Learn about one small local farm that uses regenerative agriculture and permaculture. Good Spirits Farm co-owner was interviewed about organic farming and apiary and techniques used to avoid pesticides, fungicides or other synthetic chemicals and still grow healthy produce.
If you’ve ever had trouble explaining to people why climate change is not just important but urgent, this video might be useful.
“Forest Health in Springtime” is the second event in our collaborative educational “Know Your Land” series. Immersive event focused on woodland invasive species.
Follow these advised preparations for snowstorms, hurricanes, flooding, extreme temperatures and other climate related events.
Do you want to make a difference and reduce the impact of actions warming our planet? We have plenty of ideas you can do to make a difference. Come learn more!
At the heart of this endeavor is the series’ mission: to empower our community with knowledge about Harvard’s natural environments. By understanding how to care for and protect our land, we can ensure its health and beauty for generations to come.
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The Harvard Climate Initiative entertained the crowds in the 4th of July Parade with an orchestrated brigade of electric lawnmowers and blowers, choreographed to “I’ve Got the Power.”
The Going Green flags make the invisible visible. Being visible can encourage others to take positive steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
Replacing heating and cooling systems in a home can be daunting but we have coaches who can help you.
Check out the progress on addressing climate change locally, statewide, nationally and internationally.
Are you interested in installing a heat pump for your heating and cooling but don’t know where to start? The Harvard Climate Initiative wants to help. We host meet-ups with volunteer coaches a few times a year. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
Acting like world leaders in deciding how to address climate change, Bromfield students and community members worked together in teams to explore dozens of policies that impact climate change. They selected some, and used the simulator to understand the worldwide impact their decisions likely make.
Our organization is driven by a dedicated team of volunteers. We offer a variety of ways to get involved, from committee positions to project-based assistance. If you’re looking to contribute your skills and time, we welcome you to join us!
At the October 16, 2021 Town Meeting, a clear majority of the citizens of Harvard voted for The Climate Initiative Town Resolution. The resolution acknowledges the impact of climate change on our town, supports the state’s goal to reduce greenhouse emissions by 80% by 2050, and requires that the town consider environmental impact in municipal “purchases, public projects, processes, and policies.”
On Dec 6 2022, the Select Board unanimously voted to approve a Climate Action Plan for the town. This plan was developed by the Climate Initiative Committee in conjunction with several other boards and committees in town.
The Bromfield Green Team and The Harvard Garden Club began the process of planning, securing grants, and replacing the invasive plants with native plants around the entrances of the Bromfield School.
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