Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment
We seek climate solutions that can provide for a healthier and more just world today and a livable future for our children.
665 Huntington Avenue
Building 1, Room 1312
Boston, MA 02115
Past Projects
For over 25 years we’ve created knowledge and tools that make it possible to live in a healthier, more just and sustainable world. Some of our past projects include:
Climate Change and Infectious Disease
Reducing the risks of emerging infectious diseases by catalyzing actions that bring us back into balance with nature.
- Primary Pandemic Prevention Costs 5% of Lives Lost Every Year from Emerging Infectious Diseases
Actions to prevent pandemics cost less than 5% of the lowest estimated value of lives lost from emerging infectious diseases every year. - Solutions for preventing the next pandemic
The cost of preventing the next pandemic is 2% of the cost we’re paying for COVID-19. - Protecting forests and changing agricultural practices are essential, cost-effective actions to prevent pandemics
Our report outlines the strong scientific foundations for taking actions to stop the next pandemic by preventing the spillover of pathogens from animals to people. - The climate crisis and COVID-19—A major threat to the pandemic response
Strategies for how local communities and states can reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission during climate-related extreme events like heat waves, hurricanes, and wildfires.
Fossil Fuels and Health
Producing and burning fossil fuels creates air pollution that harms our health and generates toxic emissions that drive climate change.
- Methane Reductions in the Oil and Gas Sector can Protect Public Health
A literature review examines the last ten years of research on methane and health-damaging air pollutant emissions from the oil and gas industry. - Fossil fuel air pollution responsible for 1 in 5 deaths worldwide
Research finds that deaths from fossil fuel emissions are higher than previously thought—more than 8 million people per year, worldwide.
Natural Gas and Gas Stoves
We examined the climate, health, and safety implications of natural gas at every stage of its lifecycle.
- Home is Where the Pipeline Ends
Our study is the first to test for health-damaging air pollutants in unburned natural gas where it is used: in our homes. - Pennsylvania setback regulations for fracking do not prevent setback incidents
The first study to look at the effectiveness of PA’s statewide setback regulations and identify the potential risks and exposures for people living near fracking or UNG wells. - How Dangerous are Underground Natural Gas Storage Wells?
Study explores the risks of aging infrastructure throughout the United States. - Many More People Live Closer To Underground Gas Storage Wells Than Previously Thought
An estimated 20k homes and 53k people in predominantly suburban areas of PA, OH, WV, MI, NY, and CA live within a city block of active underground natural gas storage wells.
Clean Energy and Health
Renewable electricity projects and energy efficiency measures can improve health and reduce air pollution.
- Where to build global renewable energy to do the most good—a guide for sustainable investments
New metrics can guide investors and policymakers working to reach sustainable development goals. - Health Benefits of Renewable Energy
How renewable energy is good for your health
Climate Policies and Health
Policies to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels can save lives and prevent disease.
- An 80×30 Clean Electricity Standard: Carbon, Costs, and Health Benefits
The energy, economic, environmental, and health outcomes of an illustrative clean energy standard design that reaches 80% clean electricity by 2030. - Clean Energy Futures Project
Showing low or zero carbon emissions policies for the electricity sector are achievable with climate and health benefits by 2040 to 2050.
Reel Science
“Reel Science” connected celebrities and scientists for candid and informative conversations on climate change and public health topics.
Harvard Chan C-CHANGE’s “Reel Science” provided candid and informative conversations between celebrities and scientists on topics ranging from infectious diseases, food security, and air pollution, to climate change, environmental health, equity, and other critical public health issues.
Check out our video archive on YouTube
Related Press Release: Harvard and the Environmental Media Association Launch Reel Science
Climate Optimist
The Climate Optimist was a monthly newsletter focused on timely stories about climate action. Please note that The Climate Optimist is on an indefinite hiatus. Please enjoy our past issues below, and subscribe on socials (@HarvardCCHANGE) to stay informed about news from Harvard Chan C-CHANGE.
For a quick hit of optimism, check out our profile in Forbes, “The Power of Climate Optimists,” which includes our four reasons to be hopeful about climate change.
2024
2023
- September: Climate solutions are getting weirder
- July: Schvitzing our way toward a cooler future (enough with this heat already!)
- May: This is bad! You’ll never see climate change the same way again
- April: 4 reasons we’re excited for our future
- March: Jedi mind tricks for climate optimism
- February: Are our new climate laws helping?
- January: 17 Climate Creators to Watch in 2023
2022
- November: Climate progress that’ll make you feel better
- October: Fighting climate doom zombies
- September: Life in the afterglow of colossal climate legislation
- August: Celebrating a turning point (The IRA is a BFD)
- July: Mid-summer joy
- June: Climate in the Kitchen
- May: The emotional roulette wheel of climate change
- April: Climate things going right
- March: The medicinal properties of hope
- February: Finding your place in the climate movement
- January: 16 Climate Creators to Watch in 2022
2021
- November: November was a BFD (Big Fossil Deal)
- October: We interrupt your doom scrolling with a message from reality
- September: Letting go of climate guilt in 5 easy steps
- August: Self care in the time of ‘OMG really? Now this too?’
- June: Climate optimism is not about magical thinking
- May: Pollen, policy, and possibility
- April: What you need to know about Earth Month 2021
- March: Top 7 reasons for climate optimism
- February: Policies with no climate action are out like skinny jeans and side parts
- January: The future is bright! Behold our catalogue of shiny things.
2020
- December: 6 opportunities for health-focused climate action in the Biden administration
- October: Transportation, climate, and health
- September: Voting for climate and health
- August: Back to school (sort of)
- July: Only good news, because OMG #2020
- June: Racial justice requires climate action
- May: World-wide climate action within our reach
- April: We can emerge a different society. Here’s what that could look like.
- March: Heroes in the pandemic
- February: Climate Change at the (Clinical) Bedside
- January, Part 1: Green Resolutions
- January, Part 2: The Most Important Action You Can Take
2019
- November: Talking Climate at Thanksgiving
- October: Spooked by Climate Change?
- September: Climate Week is the Turning Point
- August: Back to School
- July: The Heatwave Edition
- June: Climate-friendly Cookouts, 10-Point Policy Agenda
- May: How to Start a Conversation About Climate Change
- April: Evidence in Action
- March: Profiles in Climate Courage
- February: Science not Silence, and Climate Change in the News