Jane Fonda, actor, producer, activist, and former fitness guru, discusses her climate change activism and book with Kim Hill. They cover her long-standing activism, commitment to conscious consumerism, personal journey to environmental activism, and comparing presidencies. They emphasize the urgency of addressing climate change.
Jane Fonda emphasizes the need for individuals, governments, and specifically the US government, to take responsibility and address the climate crisis by cutting fossil fuel emissions in half within the next decade.
Fonda recognizes the influential role celebrities can play in advocating for causes like climate change, leveraging their fame to bring attention to environmental issues, mobilize support, and influence public opinion, ultimately driving change.
Deep dives
Jane Fonda's Climate Change Activism
Jane Fonda, renowned actress and activist, discusses her commitment to fighting climate change. She leads the weekly climate change demonstration called Fire Drill Fridays, advocating for urgent action against climate change. Fonda emphasizes the need for individuals, governments, and specifically the US government, to take responsibility and address the climate crisis. She highlights the importance of understanding the science behind climate change and the need to cut fossil fuel emissions in half within the next decade. Fonda's activism aims to raise awareness, engage volunteers, and push for policy changes to combat the climate crisis.
The Power of Celebrity in Climate Activism
Fonda recognizes the influential role celebrities can play in advocating for causes like climate change. She views celebrity endorsements as means to amplify the voices and messages of those on the front lines of climate change. Fonda argues that celebrities can act as repeaters, transmitting the concerns and solutions of grassroots movements to broader audiences. By leveraging their fame, celebrities like Fonda can bring attention to environmental issues, mobilize support, and influence public opinion, ultimately driving change.
Building a Movement and Overcoming Challenges
Fonda emphasizes the importance of organizing and mobilizing people to address the climate crisis. She highlights the Yale project's research, suggesting that with 3.5% of the population supporting climate action, significant change can occur. Fonda aims to engage the 23 million Americans who know there is a problem but are unsure of what actions to take. By organizing and informing this group, Fonda believes it is possible to make a substantial impact. She also addresses skepticism, the need for bipartisanship, the global challenge of climate change, and the role of the United States in leading the way toward cleaner and more sustainable energy.
Actor, producer, activist and former fitness guru, Jane Fonda reflects on her relationship with climate change activism in her 2020 book: 'What Can I Do? My Path from Climate Despair to Action'. She speaks with Kim Hill about her life on the front line as an activist, campaigning for over 50 years, tackling the climate crisis as her latest cause.