As devastating news about the California fires inundated media channels across the country, Grace Taylor ’21 stepped onto the Assembly stage to address the Nobles community with the energy of sunshine and hope in hand.
Taylor, a senior at Harvard majoring in environmental science and public policy who specializes in data analytics and economics and minors in global health and health policy, spoke ardently about the intersection of climate and health. She inspired optimism and activism through impassioned stories about her research on the effect of deforestation on Ebola outbreaks and her recent experience attending the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), the United Nations’ convention on climate change, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The conference, which provides a space for countries to congregate annually to negotiate strategies to combat climate change, requires participants to obtain a badge from a UN organization. “I emailed 53 accredited UN groups and had to prove how my research and work contributed to the discussions,” explained Taylor, who received only three responses but was ultimately accepted by a Canadian NGO. “You know what they say,” she said with playful humility, “if you get rejected at first, try 52 more times.
As part of the “blue zone” at COP29, Taylor observed negotiations among diplomats, scientists, and policymakers. There, she engaged with global health leaders to advocate for preventative healthcare as a climate adaptation strategy, and presented her research on the link between deforestation and disease outbreaks, emphasizing the importance of early intervention in communities at risk due to environmental factors such as toxic waste, increased sun exposure, and forest fires. “My advocacy was deeply personal, informed by my own experience as a young cancer survivor and the connection I observed between environmental degradation and public health,” explained Taylor.
“Grace took a very courageous step to immerse in COP29 as one of the youngest participants present, as a female, and as a researcher presenting her work,” said science faculty member Deb Harrison. “She is a globally-minded citizen who is guided by deep passion and a lot of energy for making a positive difference for this planet and its inhabitants.”
—Science faculty member Deb Harrison
Taylor’s research on the Ebola outbreak highlighted the “dense consequences” of forest loss. “As climate changes, environmental degradation will heighten risk to human health,” she explained. “Protecting forests and addressing climate change aren’t just ecological imperatives—they’re public health necessities. The intersection of climate and health is a universal challenge. Whatever path you choose, whether it’s in healthcare, economics, technology, or any other field, the environment will interact with your work in profound ways. The question is whether we recognize those intersections and act on them.”
In conversations with Harrison’s AP Environmental science students, Taylor expounded on the impact that climate change will have on their personal and professional lives, speaking in depth about her research and sharing stories from her travels around the globe to work, study, research, and volunteer as a steward for the environment.
“Grace combined research and real-life experience to draw connections between our classroom lessons on the environment and human impact worldwide, demonstrating that environmental science intersects with countless other disciplines, professions, and real-world experiences,” says AP Environmental science student Tyler Lysko ’25. “Through her determination for action, she inspired me to look deeper into what I am learning and recognize its importance in everyday life.”
Just days before Taylor’s timely visit to campus, NASA and NOAA declared 2024 the hottest year in recorded history. On the morning of her talk, Head of School Cathy Hall opened Assembly with remarks about the California wildfires, urging the community to heed Fred Rogers’ sage advice about finding hope in times of crisis: “Look for the helpers,” he said. “You will always find people who are helping.” Grace Taylor is one of the helpers. By way of curiosity, tenacity, dedication, heart, and generosity, she not only demonstrates the potential to do good—she unlocked it long ago and is actively living it out in her daily life.
