1. Despite frigid temperatures this winter in most of the northeastern United States —
including record-breaking snowfall in Boston—it was the planet's warmest winter on record.
The average global temperature from December to February was 1.42F° higher than the 20th
century average, according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's (NOAA) National Climatic Data Center. This makes December 2014 to February
2015 the warmest winter months since record keeping began in 1880. This is just one of many
troubling indicators of the rapidly changing climate we are facing as a result of human activity.
“Harvard Climate Week” (April 6th-10th), conceived by the HBS Business & Environment
Initiative (BEI) and organized under the umbrella of the Harvard University Center for the
Environment (HUCE), highlights the urgency of climate change through an exciting array of
speakers and events across the entire university. Even though some events have already
passed, please take a look at today’s line-up (April 8th) by visiting the complete calendar on
HUCE’s website: http://www.harvard-climate-week.com/events.
At HBS, the major event is a BEI-sponsored talk on corporations and climate change with
Unilever CEO Paul Polman (April 10th at 1:30pm in Spangler Auditorium). Under Polman’s
leadership, Unilever has set out an ambitious vision to double its size while reducing its overall
environmental footprint and increasing its positive social impact. Prof. Rebecca Henderson will
facilitate a dialogue with Polman about its environmental commitments, and more broadly
about the role of business leaders in addressing climate change. This event is open to the entire
Harvard community.
As a capstone on Climate Week, Harvard President Drew Faust will host the President’s
Panel on Climate Change (April 13th at 4 p.m. in Sanders Theatre). Experts from science,
government, economics, business and history will gather for a discussion of how society in
general and universities in particular can best confront the perils posed by climate change. The
panel will be introduced by President Faust and moderated by Charlie Rose of CBS and PBS. You
may still be able to obtain a ticket by clicking here, and entering the lottery.
This week is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about climate change, and also to
reflect on what each of us can do. By educating future business leaders and improving our own
operations, we can combat climate change right here at HBS. From the simple act of respecting
recycling or composting practices to joining the Green Team to certifying your office in the
Green Office program, there are so many ways to contribute. For a comprehensive list of
resources, please visit the Office for Sustainability and also the BEI’s websites.