Up close with John Kerry: An Education student’s experience at W&M’s Year of the Environment event
On Wednesday, Oct. 15, the Sadler Center was abuzz with energy, which isn’t altogether uncommon at William & Mary. What made this day different was the special guest for the inaugural Blue Horizons fireside chat, presented by William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS. This event was also a signature moment for William & Mary’s Year of the Environment. Former Secretary of State John F. Kerry came to speak about his experience as a pioneer in addressing climate change, his views on where we are as a society in relation to the environment, and what we as individuals and as a collective can do to support positive environmental change.
As a student at the William & Mary School of Education, I was thrilled when I received the email letting me know that I would be able to attend this inaugural fireside chat. I was excited about the chance to see John Kerry speak in person and to learn more about climate change, and I was surprised by how much I learned about his contributions to the field of environmentalism.
President Katherine A. Rowe initiated the event, leading with a discussion of the important ongoing and past research by the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS, including work restoring oysters and bay scallops, and its connection to local and global environmentalism. She then introduced Kerry by sharing a brief overview of his time as a senator and secretary of state and his extensive work on the environment.
Kerry came out on stage alongside Batten School & VIMS Dean & Director Derek Aday. Aday began by asking Kerry about his recent work, and Kerry shared his experience attending the 2025 “Our Ocean Conference” in Busan, South Korea. He spoke about how changemakers in the environmental sphere came together to discuss current issues facing our planet and what different countries have done, and are currently doing, to create positive change. He expressed how happy he was to come speak at William & Mary because of the incredible work VIMS has been doing for both Virginia and the global environmental community.
As Kerry and Aday discussed specific studies produced by VIMS scientists and their impacts, their conversation turned to Kerry’s background in environmentalism. He spoke about working with major figures like Jim Hansen, former director of the NASA Goddard Institute, and former Senator Al Gore to develop plans of action addressing global warming.
One moment that stood out to me was when Kerry talked about his role in developing the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change signed by 195 countries in December 2015. I did not know that he was part of creating the Paris Agreement, and I was disappointed, but not necessarily surprised, to hear that none of the countries have yet met the original goals stated in the agreement.
Although Kerry expressed disappointment about this, his optimism for the future was unwavering. He spoke passionately about the importance of education and truth in combating misinformation.
“Education is key! People need to know the truth about the impact of fossil fuels,” he said.
As noted in a follow-up article published by VIMS, Kerry stated: “In order to fully realize the opportunities ahead of us, all of the good that can come from addressing our issues head on, we must deal with emissions and the warming of our planet. I believe that these problems are created by humans and because of that the solutions will be created by humans as well. I believe in us — I believe in our entrepreneurship, in our creativity, and in our goodness as human beings. It’s time for us to bravely pursue what is possible.”
He went on to explain how pollution not only harms the planet — causing food scarcity, extreme weather and oceanic changes — but also damages human health by contributing to asthma and certain cancers. When Aday asked what he is doing to spread awareness, Kerry shared that he continues to work with the nations that signed the Paris Agreement, speaks publicly whenever possible and is currently producing a film about the late author and environmentalist Rachel Carson.
Perhaps the most powerful message of the evening came when Kerry declared, “We need truth seekers and truth enforcers.” He urged all of us to take part in conversations and actions that move environmental progress forward.
Reflecting on this event, I was moved by Kerry’s conviction and hopeful outlook. He confirmed that science has proven that climate change is real, and he emphasized that science, education and action are key factors toward moving forward to a solution. Leaving the Sadler Center that evening, I felt inspired, not only by Kerry’s lifelong commitment to the planet, but also by the reminder that education and truth-telling remain the most powerful tools we have to shape a sustainable future.