Jane Fonda points to Australia's bushfire crisis during US Capitol climate rally

Australia's bushfire crisis was cited as an example of destructive climate change during a star-studded protest at the US Capitol building in Washington.

Veteran activist and actor Jane Fonda addresses a climate rally at the US Capitol.

Veteran activist and actor Jane Fonda addresses a climate rally at the US Capitol. Source: Getty Images North America

Veteran activist and actor Jane Fonda was joined by fellow Hollywood stars Joaquin Phoenix and Martin Sheen in a protest at the US Capitol building in Washington on Friday, where they demanded action on climate change.

"The climate crisis makes our nation and all nations less secure," said Fonda, as she was cheered on by a crowd of protesters.
Actor Jane Fonda marches in the Fire Drill Fridays rally to protest the climate emergency.
Actor Jane Fonda marches in the Fire Drill Fridays rally to protest the climate emergency. Source: Getty Images North America
She also spoke of the fires in Australia, which have ravaged tens of thousands of square kilometres of bushland and caused at least 27 deaths.

In Sydney earlier on Friday, thousands of angry protesters had demanded that the Australian government do more to combat climate change.

Last week, Phoenix used his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes - where he won an award for best actor in a drama film - to call on people to make "sacrifices" to slow down global warming.

He returned to the theme at the rally. "The meat and dairy industry is the third leading cause of climate change," he said. "There is something that you can do today, right now and tomorrow by making your choice about what you consume."


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