What Can I Do?

July 27, 2020
Activist and actor Fonda (Prime Time) offers an informative guide to getting involved in the fight against climate change. Contending that “it’s too late for moderation,” Fonda credits Naomi Klein’s book On Fire and Greta Thunberg’s activism with inspiring her to move to Washington, D.C., in October 2019 and partner with Greenpeace to launch Fire Drill Fridays, a series of weekly demonstrations in support of the Green New Deal, the end of new fossil fuel extractions, and the phasing out of existing fossil fuels for clean, renewable energy sources. The protests, which resulted in Fonda being arrested four times, also included “teach-ins” on the climate crisis. The book quotes extensively from those speeches and panel discussions, addressing how climate change affects oceans, forests, jobs, food, and health, and offering guidance on actions individuals can take, such as campaigning to have politicians sign a #NoFossilFuelMoney pledge. Fonda recaps messages delivered by fellow celebrities including Lily Tomlin (“hugging trees isn’t enough today”), environmentalist Bill McKibben, and indigenous leaders such as Ta’Sina Sapa Win Smith, who spoke about protests against the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines. Enriched by photographs from the demonstrations and colorful charts and graphs, this is a useful and appealing primer on environmental activism.

September 1, 2020

It is remarkable to observe a single individual attempting to change world events, but that is exactly what Fonda (Prime Time) is trying to do. Taking Greta Thunberg as her model, Fonda decided to raise awareness about caring for the climate utilizing all the resources at her disposal. She teamed with Greenpeace and protested frequently in 2019 and 2020, getting arrested at least three times for civil disobedience. The Fire Drill Fridays movement, started by Fonda and Greenpeace, combined the star power of celebrities with activists, primarily women of color, to address multiple topics related to climate change, including adverse health effects. Each chapter here covers one week and one topic going over the basics of the issue, the events of the rally, and resources for further action. As Fonda points out, the work of climate change cannot wait, and she is here to offer suggestions. Readers need not read the entire book in order to join the movement; each chapter has suggestions for specific actions people can take. VERDICT This urgent call for environmental action will have the most impact on readers already familiar with Fonda and her activism during the Vietnam War. It will also pique the interest of others wondering, What can I do?--Cate Schneiderman, Emerson Coll., Boston

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