For the last year, legendary actress Jane Fonda has been hosting weekly Fire Drill Friday programming to raise awareness about the climate crisis in partnership with Greenpeace USA. Fonda has released talking points to help those concerned about the future of our planet talk about climate change with climate deniers. Prior to the pandemic, the weekly event took place on the steps of the Hart Senate Building in the nation’s capital—Fonda was arrested most weeks during the peaceful protest.
The events have are now held virtually every month during the pandemic. This week the life-long activist will be joined by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for a special edition of the “Vote Climate” campaign. Tune in tomorrow, Friday, October 23rd, at 2 PM EST to submit your questions. RSVP on the Facebook event or via Zoom registration. During the live-streamed Q+A the two environmental activists will discuss how to vote early, which candidates are prioritizing the climate crisis, and why it’s critical that we vote for those who will fight to protect our planet.
Ocasio-Cortez is a key figure in the environmental justice movement and advocates for environmental justice and climate change policy in US legislation. The congresswoman expected to discuss the Green New Deal, a bill she co-authored (House Resolution 109) along with Senator Ed Markey in 2019 and released with the support of former presidential-hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT).
Real climate leadership will reckon environmental racism, fight to ban fracking, expand clean energy, and more. The power lies in our hands to elect climate champions on our ballots. “If we want meaningful climate change legislation, we must act in solidarity this November to protect our planet and the most vulnerable people in our society who have already experienced the violent repercussions of this administration,” AOC said in a Greenpeace USA press release.