Jane Fonda says the Colorado State University students who came to see her speak on campus are part of a unique generation, one that will be the first to “experience the real effects of the climate crisis and the last to be able to do something about it.” 

“This isn’t a partisan issue, this is a ‘will we survive?’ issue,” the activist and actress said. 

Even while discussing this existential problem, a majority of Fonda’s Feb. 2 talk at CSU was focused on the feelings of hope and resilience that come from fighting for what you believe in. 

And that’s something she says no one should do alone, despite the despair and apathy that some people might feel about the current polarized state of politics in the United States. 

“Fight together,” she said. 

Fonda came to the CSU campus as part of the Thematic Year of Democracy,  a university-wide initiative aimed at exposing students to diverse perspectives and helping them find new pathways to civic engagement. 

The previous week’s speaker was Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.). Despite their face-value political differences, both Buck and Fonda emphasized the need for young voters to engage with local politics. 

“A lot of times, people just focus on the top top stuff – it’s the down-ballot races that matter,” Fonda said, in addition to telling CSU students to get more involved in the Associated Students of CSU elections. 

Though Fonda’s discussion with CSU President Amy Parsons touched on a litany of topics – ranging from her love of nature to feminism to activism during the Vietnam War – the focus centered on a call for action for the CSU students in the audience and across campus to do their part to make positive change in the world. 

“We need young people: You’re our saviors, not some old movie star who’s coming to talk to you,” Fonda said.