Humanity’s best chance to save the planet from climate change lies is locking up white men, Hollywood actress Jane Fonda told an audience at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday.
“This is serious – we’ve got about seven, eight years to cut ourselves in half of what we use of fossil fuels, and unfortunately, the people that have the least responsibility for it are hit the hardest – Global South, people on islands, poor people of color,” the ‘Barbarella’ star explained, insisting: “It’s a tragedy that we have to absolutely stop.”
Without naming any of the men she believed to be responsible for the looming demise of the planet, Fonda went on to draw connections between Earth and its minority inhabitants, arguing: “There would be no climate crisis if there was no racism.
There would be no climate crisis if there was no patriarchy. White men are the things that matter and then everything else [is] at the bottom.
“If we solve the climate crisis, and we haven’t solved all those other things, we’re gonna be in trouble,” the ‘Klute’ actress warned.
Fonda, a frequent environmental campaigner, was arrested several times in 2019 protesting outside the US Capitol alongside other celebrities aiming to bring attention to climate change (and themselves) through civil disobedience.
The actress defended her telegenic lawbreaking from critics who derided the “publicity stunts,” arguing “if you’re a celebrity, you have a responsibility to use that celebrity, especially when the future of mankind is at stake.” Her critics included then-US President Donald Trump, who complained “she’s always got the handcuffs on!”
Fonda has engaged in political activism throughout her career, drawing harsh criticism in the 1960s for her outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War. She recently drew attacks following an appearance on ‘The View’ in which she suggested women resort to “murder” in defense of their right to abortion in the wake of the Supreme Court’s reversal of the Roe v. Wade decision.
Fonda on Saturday called for those in positions to act quickly as she says there is less than a decade to save the planet from the effects of climate change.
'This is serious. We've got about seven, eight years to cut ourselves in half of what we use of fossil fuels, and unfortunately, the people that have the least responsibility for it are hit the hardest,' she said.
'Global South, people on islands, poor people of color,' the actress continued.
Her comments came after a question from the audience at the famed film fest.
'It's good for us all to realize, there would be no climate crisis if there was no racism. There would be no climate crisis if there was no patriarchy,' Fonda stated.
'A mindset that sees things in a hierarchical way. White men are the things that matter and then everything else [is] at the bottom,' she explained.
The 'Grace and Frankie' actor has previously sparked headlines for her head-turning comments on the highly politicized issue.
In a blog post from July 2020 titled 'White Supremacy and the Climate Crisis,' Fonda touched on the connected relationship between the two.
She argued that white supremacy is rooted in all cultural institutions and therefore impacts all economic, political and climate-rooted issues.
Earlier this year during her appearance on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' alongside her '80 for Brady' costars, Fonda doubled down on her racism and climate ideas.
'Well, you know, you can take anything — sexism, racism, misogyny, homophobia, whatever, the war,' Fonda said.
'And if you really get into it, and study it and learn about it and the history of it, everything’s connected. There’d be no climate crisis if it wasn’t for racism,' she said.
When costar Rita Moreno asked her to clarify, she spoke on how she believes billionaires are sending pollution to communities that can't speak up.
'Put it there. They can’t fight back. And that’s why a big part of the climate movement now has to do with climate justice,' Fonda said.
Her recent comments have received backlash from those who said she is making a connection where there is not one.
Social media users referred to the actress as 'crazy' for her remarks and said she missed the mark with her ideas.
Some, however, applauded Fonda for sharing her thoughts and said her assertions are spot on.
The 'Book Club: Next Chapter' star has a long standing history of activism dating back to the Vietnam War and has been arrested several times while protesting.
Fonda was known for backing the Civil Rights Movement and then she opposed US involvement in the Vietnam War.
She took trips to Hanoi and outraged many Americans when she was photographed sitting on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun.
Fonda was even later to be unveiled as a person under government surveillance during his opposition to the war.
In 1970, Fonda was arrested in Ohio on drug charges, which she claimed was at on the orders the White House. The charges were later dropped when her 'drugs' turned out to be vitamins.
In more recent years, Fonda has supported LGBTQ and feminist causes.
Merci à Jane Fonda qui lance dans le dos de Justine Triet, son prix oublié sur le pupitre après son discours politisée.
— Seb ! 🇪🇺 🇫🇷 🇧🇪 🇳🇱 🇺🇦 (@seb_a_volonte) May 27, 2023
pic.twitter.com/3Pf79L4lEw
Saturday's comments were the only time during this year's Cannes Film Festival that Fonda found herself in headlines. She also drew ire for her actions against a famous director.
While presenting the Palme d'Or to French director Justine Triet, Fonda threw the award at Triet after she accidentally left a scroll on the lectern.
As Justine walked away oblivious to her mistake, Fonda hurried to the lectern and grabbed the certificate to give it to her.
In a video that has gone viral on social media, Fonda failed to get Justine's attention was eventually so exasperated that she flung the award at her.
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