AMY SPENCER HARFF is a climate researcher, writer, and artist. Her Thomas J. Watson Fellowship explores the intersection of creativity and the environment around the world. Since starting in August 2022, she has met and worked with over 350 scientists, artists, community leaders, activists, government officials, and academics to understand how creativity can be a catalyst for climate action. She also spoke at USA’s Local Conference of Youth, NY Climate Week, Goldsmiths University (UK), Generation Zero events (NZ), the Sustainability and Ocean Conservation Symposium (IS), and aboard the Peace Boat for the UN Ocean Decade (UK). Her speeches have been translated into three languages.

Some recent art projects include: facilitating community murals, creating costumes from trash, and drawing large illustrations about projected climate impacts in her community. She is also creating an illustrated book featuring 25 female-identifying changemakers, including Christiana Figueres, Dr. Kim Cobb, Xiye Bastida, and Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, to name a few.

Follow along on her Climate Artists series, art research instagram and subscribe to the website (below) to receive occasional emails about her new findings.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE She previously worked as a science teacher at the Applewild School, and as a Climate Researcher and Educator with the Appalachian Mountain Club. She graduated from Hamilton College as an Environmental Studies and Studio Art double major in 2021. There, she was a member of Hamilton’s Environmental Action Group, and created several environmentally focused art exhibits, including her award-winning thesis, with large drawings depicting how climate change will impact Hamilton’s community. She also made a food waste photography exhibit called, “Inefficient”, and a short film about trail overuse in the Adirondacks. Her work has been exhibited at the Wellin Museum, YOUTHTOPIA Headquarters, Linda Johnson Gallery, Chazan Gallery, Cornell Green Living Fair, Taiwan Dream Community Festival, The W!LD Center, Time and Tide Foundation, and Kirkland Art Center.