Bill Nye, the celebrated host of “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” expressed his concerns about the vulnerabilities facing science during his keynote address at the 4th annual Plymouth Blue Future conference on Thursday. Speaking to an audience at the Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor, Nye highlighted the increasingly polarized views surrounding scientific understanding, stating, “People are attacking science for reasons that are deeply tribal within us.”
He emphasized the crucial need for robust science education to combat the pervasive climate change denial prevalent in political circles, particularly among some members of the Republican Party. “So, we have these guys in government now: ‘Oh, climate change isn’t real,’” he remarked.
The Blue Future conference gathered 200 attendees from various sectors, including environmental nonprofits, educational institutions, oyster farms, financial entities, and technology companies. Among the attendees was Alexandra Staiuski from Greensea IQ, a Vermont-based company specializing in autonomous underwater robotics. Staiuski mentioned that the company conducts tests for its robots in Cordage Park, which has become a hub for its operations, employing about 35 of its 88 staff members in Plymouth.
Steve Cole, executive director of the Plymouth Foundation and organizer of the conference, conveyed the event’s ambitions to position Plymouth as Massachusetts’ center for ocean-centric businesses and nonprofits. He pointed out the region’s advantages in sectors such as aquaculture, robotics, and artificial intelligence, while also addressing the need for workforce development. Cole highlighted the challenges many Plymouth residents face, as they often commute to Boston for better-paying jobs due to insufficient local opportunities.
Discussions at the conference also focused on climate resilience and marine technology, with the second day aiming to inspire students to envision careers within the ocean-based economy. “The point of day two, Future Works, is largely intended to encourage middle-school and high-school students to think about the types of problems they could solve,” Cole noted. He expressed hope that this initiative would empower young people to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career path, rather than following conventional routes toward college or jobs.
In a landscape where scientific knowledge is increasingly pivotal, initiatives like the Blue Future conference play a crucial role in fostering a community that values innovation and prepares future generations to tackle pressing environmental challenges.