Statement from NOW President Toni Van Pelt:

WASHINGTON, D.C.— I was proud to join my fellow climate activists at Jane Fonda’s last Fire Drill Friday in Washington, D.C., before she heads back to L.A.  We are answering the alarm sounded by Greta Thunberg and other young people who are reminding us every day that “there is no planet B.” 

I am tremendously proud to be one of those arrested for civil disobedience and stand in solidarity with the women and girls who are finding climate solutions such as blocking deforestation and improving agricultural practices to organizing grassroots protests and running for office.

Climate change is a woman’s issue—impacting vulnerable populations that are already at risk.  Extreme weather events make it even harder for women to do their work, care for their loved ones and overcome obstacles to their safety and security.  

NOW joins Fire Drill Friday’s demands for environmental justice, respect of Indigenous land and sovereignty, protection and restoration of biodiversity and implementation of sustainable agriculture.  These are all issues of urgency and importance to women. 

As the saying goes, “women hold up half the sky.”  Today, the sky is literally on fire in places such as Australia. NOW and other activist, feminist, environmentalist women will hold up our part of our compact with the environment and promote bold action to prevent further catastrophe and promote climate solutions. 

Contact

Kimberly Hayes, Press Secretary, press@now.org, 202-570-4745