Lakeside School

Growing up in Seattle, John Kydd developed a sense that something fundamental wasn’t working in society. Raised in the Unitarian Church, Kydd had always been keen on seeing the connection between things. Religio in Latin means to rebind or reconnect. Throughout Kydd’s life, he has brought that desire for reconnection with him to address societal issues.

Kydd’s career has taken him into law, social work, and research. He initially focused on family and children’s rights, then shifted his attention to addressing the issues of climate change.

Now, as the missioner for climate care and climate justice in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, Kydd uses religion to connect with different faith-based communities and galvanize them to protect their land.

If we can get folks to realize that a profound connectedness to their land is just like other human relations, that’s a big step. - John Kydd ’70

In addition to his work for the diocese, Kydd is a GreenFaith fellow and climate change director of the Maqasid Institute. He has recently begun advocating for an initiative he calls “Climate Lions.” He envisions a network of active and connected Lakeside alums helping the school’s students pursue interests and careers in climate action. Kydd believes that Lakeside has always set a standard of being exemplary, and if the Climate Lions idea gains traction here, he hopes that other private schools would replicate the model of using their alum networks to empower a younger generation. “Lakeside is a primary vector for the future of our culture,” Kydd says. “And as a religious person, I know that culture is a major vector for change.”