“We have a long way to go, but we have hope.” — Bill Nye

Highlights from “The Changing Climate: A Conversation With Bill Nye”

By: Lindsey Hamilton ‘22

Cries of “Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill!” rang through Bovard as Bill Nye the Science Guy himself walked onto the stage of the eager auditorium last Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019. 

You could tell that at once, every student in the audience had been momentarily transported back in time to their elementary and middle school science classes, a carefree place where no one knew about organic chemistry or linear algebra.

With videos both old and new, Mr. Nye has been a powerful force in making science education accessible to youth and adults alike, and has been a prominent voice in talks about climate change.

Interviewed by our very own professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Dr. Kelly Sanders, “The Changing Climate: A Conversation With Bill Nye” centered around Mr. Nye’s perspectives about issues of climate change. With his iconic energy and humor, Mr. Nye addressed everything from his rise to science stardom to his hopes for the world of the future. 

Mr. Nye has been a strong proponent of science communication and education.

Now the generation of scientists and activists he was so instrumental in inspiring has grown up. 

Yes, that’s you.

His advice to us? “Just go. Get ‘er done.”

With this, Mr. Nye conveyed a powerful message: in the fight to make our world a better place, we each have unique talents, and we must use these talents to make the world a better place.

“Everyone you meet knows something you don’t.”

This brings us to the biggest challenge our society is currently facing: climate change. 

Climate change is affecting and will continue to affect people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, professions, and nationalities. It does not merely refer to the increase of Earth’s temperature by a few degrees, but the increasingly rapid decimation of ecosystems, livelihoods, and global health.

Some will claim otherwise. While these people represent a mere fraction of a fraction (a survey of publications indicates a 99.94% consensus in academic literature that climate change is occurring), they do exist despite a plethora of scientific evidence against their beliefs.

“The evidence for climate change is over-flipping-whelming.”

If you’re not yet convinced, I’ve provided some sources here, here, and here.

Mr. Nye addressed this, attributing this uncertainty to the “fossil fuel industry [which] has introduced so much doubt.” He went on to explain how the fossil fuel industry hires many of the EXACT SAME PEOPLE that tobacco companies hired to combat studies relating smoking and cancer risks decades ago, and has been exposed for paying off “scientists” to be rallying figures for climate-change deniers.

Nye’s proposed plan of action in response to climate change?

“Talk about it!”

“If we were talking about climate change like we were talking about…the Kardashians…if we had the awareness of climate change we would get it done.”

There’s that phrase again: get it done. But get what done, exactly?

In relation to climate change, Mr. Nye outlined the three big goals he wants to see worked on:

“Clean water, renewably produced electricity that’s reliable, and access to internet for everyone.”

He also added that he would like to “raise the standards of living for women and girls” globally.

“These are big things that I want you to all just get ‘er done!”

Ladies and gents, we have our mission. 

Easier said than done, you may say. It is true that upon first hearing these lofty goals, they seem near-impossible. But I truly believe that these goals are not only attainable, but probable within our lifetimes because of one critical, invaluable reason: “We’re all in this together.” We don’t have to do it alone.

“You don’t have to be an engineer.” Climate change is not only a technological problem, but a social one. 

“You’re in college. Think about how you’re going to solve big problems.”

The thousands of students of different majors and skill-sets graduating next month have the ability to use their unique experience to start working on the biggest issues our world faces. 

“If you think you’re not going to accomplish something, you absolutely will not.”

And to these graduating seniors:

“My advice to college graduates is to just get started. Pick something you think is kind of cool, and just get started. Don’t worry too much. The world around you is changing so fast, you’ll have to adapt” finishing again with “just go, get ‘er done.”

Bill Nye believes in us, and I do too. 

With the Youth Climate Strike in March and the voices of young climate activists like Greta Thunberg now being heard, it is becoming clearer and clearer that our generation not only has the will to stand up against climate change, but the power to make a difference.

“We are in charge of the Earth now. We didn’t mean to be, but we are.”

So go! Get ‘er done! I believe in you guys :)

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