Air Date: Week of February 13, 2026

Michael McElroy was an atmospheric scientist and professor at Harvard University. He was also a board member of the World Media Foundation, which produces Living on Earth. (Photo: Kris Snibbe, Harvard University)

Harvard atmospheric science Professor Michael B. McElroy, a long-time board member of the World Media Foundation (which produces Living on Earth), passed away in January 2026. Host Steve Curwood offers a brief tribute to Mike’s groundbreaking contributions to research and education.

Transcript

DOERING: It’s Living on Earth, I’m Jenni Doering.

CURWOOD: And I’m Steve Curwood.

Behind the stories and voices you hear on Living on Earth is a dedicated corps of volunteers who help make it all happen, and sadly, cancer has taken one of our most generous and brilliant supporters, Harvard atmospheric science Professor Michael B. McElroy. Mike was a long-time board member of the World Media Foundation, which produces Living on Earth, and a key member of the science and technology brain trust that keeps our reporting accurate. The expertise Mike developed during his 86 years on this planet went beyond science and tech to inspire the creation of Harvard’s undergraduate program in Environmental Science and Public Policy, and its Earth and Planetary Sciences department for more advanced studies. He also brought diverse disciplines together in a university-wide center and launched the long running Harvard China Project to promote Sino-American understanding about energy, the economy and environment. We will miss his invaluable insights about the perils and promises of environmental change especially, of course, about the climate emergency and we will miss him. Thanks for all, Mike.

 

Links

Inside Climate News | “Trailblazing Atmospheric Scientist Was ‘a Titan in the Scientific World’”

The Crimson | “‘A Towering Intellect’: Michael McElroy, Giant of Harvard Environmental Sciences, Dies at 86”