If there is anyone who talks the talk and walks the walk, it is Jane Fonda. Fonda has an extensive career as an actress, activist, workout guru, and all around queen. From fighting against the Vietnam War to fighting against climate change, Fonda has been a champion of many causes.
Recently, Fonda reported she moved to Washington D.C to be closer to many activists fighting against climate change and to make a statement about how devastating the lack of action on the part of the government and corporations is. Since moving, Fonda has participated in the Fire Drill Fridays protest movement, and it is inspried both by anti-apartheid daily protests in South Africa and environmentalist queen Greta Thunberg. Fonda pledged to protest at the capitol whether it be rain or shine, without fear of arrest (she has recently gone viral for an iconic arrest photo in her bright red coat), and she has followed through, protesting every Friday.
Her D.C. activism has been eloquent, protesting on behalf of intersectional causes. Along with a multitude of other celebrities and protest groups, Fonda has voiced her support for indeigenous peoples who have held up the mantle on climate change activism for as long as there has been a movement.
Fonda recently announced at an event hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and American Express (the irony is palpable) that she was no longer buying new clothes, and her iconic red coat was her last fashion purchase. Unlike other celebrities who voice support environmentalist causes and then participate in enormous carbon emissions wastage from overflowing closets and private jets, Fonda has demonstrated her fervor for this cause and her desire to protect the environment, even long after she is gone. If more politicians and celebrities took up her cause, our world would be a much more sustainable place.
While giving up shopping may be a bit much for the average college student, there are multiple ways to shop sustainably. One way is to thrift shop. There are so many amazing deals to be had in thrift stores, and the environment is not being harmed by throwing away old clothes or making new ones. Another way is to look for clothes that are made of recycled materials. Little Mistress, a fast-fashion staple of the UK, just made headlines by creating a capsule of party clothes made from water bottles as part of their Party Guilt Free Collection, and as I type this I am wearing my new jeans from Target that are made of 35% recycled materials. Clothing swaps with friends and refusals to buy clothes from fast-fashion chains such as Forever 21 are great ways to reduce your personal environmental impact.