“It’s Not the Earth that Needs Fixing”: Gore Addresses Harvard Design School Graduates

“We need you. … We need your energy, your insights, your work ethic, and especially your creativity.”

In its 2024 commencement issue, Harvard Magazine profiled the address by CEE Executive Director Karenna Gore at the Harvard Graduate School of Design Class Day on Wednesday, May 22. In her talk, Gore (who graduated from Harvard College) encouraged the graduates to use their skills not only to improve the built environment but to “ help us to rethink the economic development model itself.”

Established in 1936, the Graduate School of Design is “dedicated to the education and development of professionals in architecture, landscape, urban planning, urban design, and other design-related disciplines.” Offering both masters and doctoral degrees, the GSD has more than 15,000 alumni worldwide.

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“It’s ‘Not the Earth that Needs Fixing’: Karenna Gore ’95 addresses Graduate School of Design.” (article)

Karenna Gore Class Day Address (video)