Book: Jane Fonda Tells Us How to Join Young People as Climate Activists

Activist Sophia Kianni (right) with actress Jane Fonda at 2019 Black Friday climate strike before the United States Capitol building. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

Now that her ‘Fire Drill Fridays’ protests on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building in support of climate change are over, Jane Fonda has written a new book about her emergence as an eco-warrior. “What Can I Do?: My Path from Climate Despair to Action” is available on September 8.

Everybody’s interviewing Jane, and we share comments that got our attention. TIME’s Justin Worland asked Fonda about working with today’s activists. “Did you see parts of your activist self in them?”

Fonda: “Oh my God. They’re so much better than I was! I’m blown away. They are really smart. They’re also very depressed—these young people are carrying grief.”

Jane is pictured above with Sophia Kianni, 18, an American climate activist and writer specializing in media and strategy. She is the founder and executive director of Climate Cardinals, an international youth-led nonprofit that works to translate information about climate change into over 100 languages.

Greenpeace explains Jane is launching a project to join 10 virtual American book clubs devoted to the climate crisis. Book clubs are asked to post their own short videos explaining why she should join their book club.

Throughout the book Fonda weaves her personal journey as an activist together with climate talks with leading climate scientist on the state of the crisis. The book also discusses specific issues, such as water, migration, and human rights, to emphasize what is at stake. 

New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd — she of a lifetime loathing Hillary fame — interviews Fonda for Jane Fonda, Intergalactic Eco-Warrior in a Red Coat. Only Maureen Dowd would not edit four “I”s — as in me, me, me — in the first three short paragraphs.

Fonda got two direct mentions, one “we” and Dowd snuck in a “me”. Score 5 Dowd; 2 Fonda; 1 draw. Dowd moves far beyond climate action, getting Jane to offer up juicy revelations about Marlon Brando and Marvin Gaye. Better than a hemp shake.

Jane Fonda In Gucci Off The Grid Sustainable Design Collection

Jane Fonda In Gucci Off The Grid Sustainable Design Collection AOC Sustainability

Jane Fonda, Lil Nas X, King Princess, Miyavi and David de Rothschild wear the new Gucci Off The Grid collection, the first capsule from creative director Alessandro Michele’s Gucci Circular Lines initiative. The collection comprised of recycled, organic, bio-based and sustainably sourced materials is married to the Gucci Equilibrium plan to create positive change for people and our planet.

LA-based photographer Harmony Korine shot the Gucci gang before lockdown, casting them as metropolitan explorers. Alice Newbold writes for British Vogue:

Jane Fonda -- Our Fav 'Outlaw' -- Talks Climate Activism With Who What Wear

Jane Fonda -- Our Fav 'Outlaw' -- Talks Climate Activism With Who What Wear

Wow! We’re in ecstasy with this Jane Fonda editorial lensed by Tiffany Nicholson for Who What Wear. Tracy Taylor styles Fonda in Gabriela Hearst, Warren, Frame Le Plazzo Jeans, Lingua Franca ‘Outlaw’ cashmere sweater — PERFECT for Fonda — and more.

Jane celebrated her 82nd birthday in handcuffs, arrested for a fifth time at a climate change protest in Washington, DC. Jane makes it clear in her interview that clothes do not inspire her. And yes, Tracy Taylor whipped up largely sustainable pieces for the Tiffany Nicholson photo shoot. Jane is on the record saying that her red protest coat —not the Nancy Pelosi red Max Mara coat — is the last item of clothing that she will ever buy.

British Vogue's September 2019 Issue Shares 'Forces for Change' Global Activists

Iconic photographer Peter Lindbergh photographs the cover of British Vogue’s September 2019 issue, guest edited by Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex guest edits British Vogue’s September 2019 issue, considered the most important issue of the year. Editor-in-chief-Edward Enninful invited Meghan to appear on the cover, but she declined, saying it would be considered “boastful”. With minions clamoring to criticize the Duchess at every turn in the road, declining was absolutely the correct decision.

Instead, the September 2019 British Vogue cover features 15 women who are “trailblazing changemakers, united by their fearlessness in breaking barriers”, according to a statement issued by Buckingham Palace.

The female ensemble of “trailblazing changemakers” includes activist actor Jane Fonda, climate change advocate, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and supermodel now maternal health advocate Christy Turlington Burns.

Markle has worked on the project for seven months, connecting with Michelle Obama and persuading her husband Prince Harry to join the dialogue with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall.

Rounding out the list are Adwoa Aboah, mental health campaigner and model; Adut Akech, Model and former refugee (although she says she will always be a refugee); Ramla Ali, boxer; Sinead Burke, diversity advocate and lecturer; Gemma Chan, campaigner and actor; Laverne Cox, LGBTQIA+ advocate and actor; Salma Hayek Pinault, actor, producer and women’s rights advocate; Francesca Hayward, royal ballet principal dancer; Jameela Jamil, body positivity advocate and actor; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author and feminist; and Yara Shahidi, founder of Eighteen x 18 and actor (and adored by Michelle Obama).

Meghan said: “These last seven months have been a rewarding process, curating and collaborating with Edward Enninful, British Vogue’s editor-in-chief, to take the year’s most-read fashion issue and steer its focus to the values, causes and people making impact in the world today.

“Through this lens I hope you’ll feel the strength of the collective in the diverse selection of women chosen for the cover as well as the team of support I called upon within the issue to help bring this to light.

“I hope readers feel as inspired as I do by the forces for change they’ll find within these pages.”

"To have the country's most influential beacon of change guest edit British Vogue at this time has been an honour, a pleasure and a wonderful surprise," said Enninful. The September 2019 issue hits newsstands on Friday, August 2.

The cover is photographed by Peter Lindbergh — his first British Vogue cover since September 1992. Many of the women were photographed via video links.

The 16th spot on the cover will appear in print as a silver reflective mirror, to show how you, the reader, are part of this extraordinary moment in time – and to encourage you to use your own platform to bring change.

The Duchess will introduce Forces for Change in her own words in her guest editor’s letter, in addition to her interview with America’s former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Meghan turned down the offer to feature on the issue cover, preferring to focus on the women she admires, British Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, said. Photograph by Peter Lindbergh.