Hollywood's Jane Fonda takes on Trump's climate policies
The Hollywood icon, a seven-time Oscar-nominated actress, is now a prominent environmental advocate. During her speech at the United Nations headquarters, she criticised the current US president's climate policy.
The star of productions such as "Barbarella," "Monster-in-Law," and "Grace and Frankie" is now principally an activist drawing attention to pressing environmental issues. Since 2019, she has regularly participated in protests in Washington, voicing concerns about the dangers of fossil fuels and defending clean water and air. Recently invited to the UN headquarters, she spoke about the Global Ocean Treaty. According to the Greenpeace website: "It requires that 30 per cent of the high seas should be protected by 2030. At least 60 countries MUST ratify the Treaty by June 2025. This is crucial for the preservation and regeneration of life in the oceans."
Fonda was a guest at a press conference organised in partnership with Greenpeace leaders. Her speech formed part of a broader critique of the Trump administration’s climate policy and the lack of US participation in negotiations on the Global Ocean Treaty.
"Well it's very clear to everybody that chooses to see and have their eyes open that President Trump has made a bargain with the devil. The devil being the fossil fuel industry. He said, if you give me a billion dollars, I'll remove all regulations,'" the Hollywood icon told the assembled crowd.
"These are the regulations that allow American people and people all over the world to breathe clean air, safe water. And he is willing to sacrifice all that. So we know whose side he’s on. He is on the side of death. He is killing us. And the nature that we depend on for our lives. And I believe it's been proven right now that the majority of people, including people who voted for him, are recogising what's happening and what really stands for true intentions are. And they will stand up and demand change, and protect our Earth and each other.
Fonda appealed: "Critical thing is that we stay together, that we stay united, that we not allow him to separate us, isolate us, and bring us into despair."
