Phoebe Barr

Jun 20, 2024 | terrain.org | Phoebe Barr

On dark, freezing mornings in February, eight girls and I used to carry a heavy shell down to the docks of 1 Boathouse Row on the Schuylkill River. On particularly bad days, we’d have to punch through a thin crust of ice around the dock with our gloved hands. We tried hard not to get the gloves wet.

Nov 30, 2023 | thecrimson.com | Phoebe Barr

When activists on this campus called for fossil fuel divestment — as well as divestment from other unjust industries, such as the prison-industrial complex — their rallying cry was “disclose, divest, reinvest.”That focus on reinvestment shouldn’t merely be an afterthought. As much as there are industries that contribute to injustice and therefore don’t deserve Harvard’s support, many organizations greatly need that support as well.

Nov 8, 2023 | thecrimson.com | Phoebe Barr

When it comes to climate justice, Harvard has a problem. On one hand, the University is ostensibly dedicated to both sustainability and justice. As I’ve explored extensively in this column, Harvard pledges to be a leader in confronting the climate crisis and to prioritize “wellbeing and equity” in its approach. On the other hand, Harvard Management Company’s highest priority is maintaining and increasing the endowment.

Oct 25, 2023 | thecrimson.com | Phoebe Barr

As I make my way through senior fall, the biggest thing on my mind — besides the end of the world — is finding a good career. I’ve been watching environmental devastation unfold for months and years, in slow motion and then suddenly at high speed. I fear for everyone’s future when I see the crisis consuming our planet. But I still need to think about what I’ll do after I graduate, and how Harvard can help me get there.

Oct 11, 2023 | thecrimson.com | Phoebe Barr

Among Harvard’s many promises to confront the climate crisis, the one most directly relevant to us as students is its commitment to lead through teaching. My previous column argued that research, another pillar of the University’s dreams for climate leadership, must extricate itself from fossil fuel influence. The same is true of Harvard’s teaching. An internal Harvard report has urged the University to bring in more talent for climate-based education.