Dear Readers,
At dinner this week, my 10-year-old granddaughter Marisol brought me a dandelion she had picked from a field of dandelions in nearby Piedmont Park in downtown Atlanta. As she handed it to me with great care so as not to disturb the perfect circle of seeds, she said, “Blow the seeds, Gigi, and make a wish!”
With that one gesture, we were both carrying on a tradition among children everywhere. And even though I didn’t speak my wish aloud, she reminded me that it will soon be Earth Day (April 22) and “it would be good,” she said, “to make a wish for Mother Earth.”
And so I do, everyday, as I put on my Dandelion pin, now being worn all over the world by women and men who have made a collective commitment to make solving the nature and climate crisis personal and a priority. We need millions more to step up and join the movement to connect frontline leaders, to amplify solutions and sustain hope, and to mobilize for urgent action to protect what we love, restore what we’ve lost, and ’seed’ a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable future.
In the spirit of the collaborations necessary for collective actions and advocacy, I’m using my platform this week to amplify a weekly post written by the Executive Director of Project Dandelion, Ronda Carnegie — the Dandelion Digest newsletter — which goes to our partners and funders. It’s an excellent account of the week’s climate and nature news, with important information and links for further engagement. I hope you’ll read my re-posting below and subscribe so that you, too, will feel the inspiration and power that come with knowledge and community.
Each week, the Digest offers a profile of one of the hundreds of thousands of dandelions who have joined our WOMEN-LED global campaign for CLIMATE JUSTICE, along with events, activations and must-read news stories about the climate crisis… and each week, a profile of a Dandelion.
This Week’s Dandelion Is Jane Fonda!
(And there’s no one more resilient, more committed)
In addition to Fire Drill Fridays, Jane also runs the Jane Climate PAC, a political action committee that is laser-focused on one goal: Do what it takes to defeat fossil fuel supporters and elect climate champions at all levels of government.
Jane’s PAC vets and endorses local, down ballot candidates who are climate-concerned to counter the outsized influence the fossil fuel industry has on our government. Many of the candidates her PAC endorses are women, some of them running for office for the first time. Sign up for her newsletter so that you can get updates on local candidates to follow and support.
Speaking of women and voting, I also want to mention a new report out this week from the Environmental Voter Project (another great organization!) that “finds that far more women than men are listing climate and environmental issues as their top priority in voting.”
“At a time when other political gender gaps, such as [presidential] vote choice gender gaps, are staying relatively stable, there’s something unique going on with gender and public opinion about climate change,” said Nathaniel Stinnett, founder of the organization.
The EVP findings are important, Stinnett says, because they also point the way to who might best lead the country in the fight against the climate crisis. “If almost two thirds of climate voters are women, then all of us need to get better at embracing women’s wisdom and leadership skills,” Stinnett said. “That doesn’t just apply to messaging. It applies to how we build and lead a movement of activists and voters.”
Read more at The 19th News
Dear Partners and Friends,
As we count down to Earth Day this week, I’ve been thinking about the bold voices who’ve shaped this movement, not just with their platforms, but with their persistence. Few have done this with as much courage and clarity as Jane Fonda.
Known for her unapologetic advocacy and tireless work on behalf of the planet, Jane is a true Dandelion, spreading seeds of change in every corner of the world. She’s worn the Dandelion pin proudly at many events and embodies what it means to be rooted in justice, ready to rise.
This Earth Month, I'm proud to feature Jane Fonda as a Dandelion.
Jane Fonda is an actor, activist, and relentless force in the fight for climate justice. While many know her from her decades-long film career, I believe her legacy as an advocate has been her most powerful role.
In 2019, Jane launched Fire Drill Fridays, a weekly civil disobedience campaign on Capitol Hill to demand political action on the climate crisis. She was arrested multiple times, standing alongside scientists, youth activists, and frontline leaders to bring attention to the urgency of the moment. Her commitment helped spark a renewed wave of climate activism centered on justice, equity, and accountability.
She’s been clear: the climate crisis is inseparable from the fight for racial, gender, and economic justice. Her book What Can I Do? My Path from Climate Despair to Action reflects her journey from concern to action and her call to all of us to do the same.
One of the ways I stay grounded and inspired is by reading Jane’s substack. It’s thoughtful, personal, and always packed with clarity and purpose. I’m an avid reader, and if you’re not already subscribed, you can sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox.
As Jane often reminds us, “We don’t have time to be polite. We must get in the way.” Dandelions, after all, are useful nuisances, determined to grow wherever they are planted, no matter the obstacles in their way. This is exactly the spirit Jane embodies in her work.
This Earth Month — and every month — we’re grateful for the Dandelions like Jane Fonda who show up, speak out, and refuse to back down.
Dandelions in the Field
@JenniSilverstein highlights a powerful upcoming event with Dandelion Katharine Hayhoe: Don't Say Climate, happening April 30. The conversation will explore how values shape climate dialogue and why talking about it is the most important thing we can do.
Partner @fossilfueltreaty celebrates reaching one million endorsements: “One million voices. One force. One future — fossil-free.” Join the global movement calling for a #FossilFuelTreaty at FossilFuelTreaty.org/endorse.
Partner @climatereality uplifts grassroots leaders ahead of the Goldman Environmental Prize ceremony. Share your story using #TheDoingMakesTheDifference and tune in April 21 to discover environmental changemakers from around the world.
@JenniferKitt shares an upcoming April 21 event co-hosted by our partners at Project Drawdown and Climate Lead. The conversation will explore urgent climate solutions, from protecting forests to cutting methane, and how philanthropy can accelerate action.
Partner @theglobalgoals features a new animation by @watykang & @gabrielgreenough, inspired by Gen Z’s hopes and fears about the climate crisis. The mixed-media piece reminds us that nature’s cycles offer both fragility and resilience — and we must choose hope.
Perspectives
@WRIRossCities spotlights 23 African city leaders reshaping outdated funding models and pushing for national budgets that center urban resilience. A new blueprint for #ClimateFinance is emerging, led from the local level.
@GristNews debunks the myth that renewables can’t power a major economy. California delivered up to 10 hours of electricity from renewables alone on 98 of 116 days — proof that a clean energy future is already here.
@WomenandClimate invites you to connect in person at upcoming City Lead events around the world, from London to Ljubljana to San Antonio. These local meetups are building community and momentum for climate action.
@stephaniehson reminds us that compassion is not only a virtue, but a blueprint for collective survival. Her reel calls on us to evolve into a version of humanity that recognizes interdependence as strength.
@goinggreenmedia shares 6 inspiring women-led climate solutions: from flip-flop upcycling in Kenya to seaweed-based textiles in the U.S. These projects prove that innovation, community, and environmental justice go hand in hand.
@earthdaynetwork launched a global Earth Day map to help you find nearby events and actions. Real change starts locally. Explore what’s happening near you and make this Earth Day count.
@shado.mag debuts a Solarpunk Survival Toolkit packed with radical, practical resources, from agroecology to microgrids. Designed for thriving outside oppressive systems, it’s a call to dream, and build, better futures.
@afropunk lifts up Black environmentalist orgs like @BlackInEnvironment and @BlackGirlEnvironmentalist that are reclaiming outdoor spaces, advocating for clean air and water, and redefining sustainability on their own terms.
@unyouthaffairs is looking for the next generation of changemakers. Know a young person making an impact? Nominate them to become a UN Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Top Stories
The Guardian, Africa is proof that investing in climate resilience works – and that it makes good business sense
Africa shows that climate adaptation is not just protective — it’s a driver of economic growth. Investing in resilient infrastructure and communities is a smart economic play for both governments and businesses. The growth of climate solutions — from weather analytics and drought-resistant crops to green finance and parametric insurance — signals a thriving new market. Resilient infrastructure is now a hot investment class.
Conservation.org, News spotlight: Report warns of growing human toll as planet warms
2024 was the hottest year on record: A new UN report confirms 2024 was the hottest year ever, with 150+ extreme weather events displacing over 800,000 people. It underscores the disproportionate burden on the world’s poorest nations — those least responsible and least prepared.
Carbon Brief, Survey: ‘Very few’ Africans place responsibility for climate action on ‘rich nations’
Who’s responsible for climate action? A sweeping survey of 50,000+ people in 39 African countries reveals most citizens don’t blame wealthy nations for the climate crisis — they expect leadership from their own governments and communities. The findings expose low climate literacy and highlight growing domestic pressure for action.
The Guardian, PR campaign may have fueled food study backlash, leaked document shows
Weaponizing PR against climate science: A leaked report shows PR firm Red Flag orchestrated a large-scale misinformation campaign — using thousands of social media posts and 500+ articles to discredit the 2019 Eat-Lancet report on plant-based diets. The backlash, steeped in conspiracy and personal attacks, reflects the growing role of “culture war” tactics in climate discourse.
The Guardian Revealed: Big tech’s new datacentres will take water from the world’s driest areas
Growing concerns over Big Tech’s water footprint: Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are expanding water-intensive data centers into some of the world’s most water-scarce regions — sparking serious ethical concerns about the environmental toll on already vulnerable communities.
The Grocer, Whistleblowers warn that the UK’s food sector heading for a climate disaster
UK food industry at risk: Whistleblowers warn that the UK’s food sector is dangerously exposed to climate shocks, citing systemic inaction and poor environmental practices.
Climate Change News, Beyond anxiety: Teens’ mental health suffers on Africa’s climate frontlines
Youths’ mental health on the frontlines: Climate change is taking a serious toll on teens’ mental health in rural Africa — especially in Madagascar — where droughts and disasters disrupt school, food access, and family income. Experts stress the need for local, tailored solutions like climate-resilient farming and keeping kids in school.
The Guardian, Climate crisis has tripled length of deadly ocean heatwaves, study finds
A new study from the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies in Mallorca, Spain has found that the climate crisis has tripled the duration of ocean heatwaves since 2000. Driven largely by fossil fuel emissions, marine heatwaves are more frequent and intense — on average 1°C warmer, and up to 5°C in regions like the Mediterranean. The study also links global heating to disasters like the deadly 2023 floods in Libya and warns that without urgent cuts to fossil fuel use, marine heatwaves will keep intensifying.
Science, Trump seeks to end climate research at premier U.S. climate agency
The Trump administration is proposing drastic cuts to climate science, aiming to eliminate most of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) climate research programs and slash funding to its research arm by $485 million. The plan would also heavily impact NASA science programs and threaten satellite missions and key research. Critics warn the move would cripple U.S. climate science and weather forecasting. Ultimately, Congress will have the final say.
Keep Growing,
Ronda Carnegie, Executive Director, Project Dandelion
I highly recommend subscribing to Project Dandelion’s weekly digest to learn more about the Dandelion community, keep up with all of Project Dandelion’s and our partners’ events, and read the top stories Ronda highlights each week.
You can sign up at the Project Dandelion website.
Happy Earth Week to all of you! If you do something special to commemorate Earth Day, please tag me in your pictures on social media. I’d love to see how you celebrate.
Onward!
- Pat
If you’re in Atlanta…
Join us this Earth Day, April 22 at 6PM, for an exclusive screening of MRS ROBINSON at the Tara Theatre!
The screening will be followed by a conversation on leadership, climate justice, and the path forward. The event is free and open to all: RSVP here
Hold a Watch Party of Your Own Before April 22!
Hope isn’t just something we hold; it’s something we build. And right now, we have an opportunity to build something powerful together.
From International Women's Day (March 8) to Earth Day (which is Tuesday, April 22), Project Dandelion, the women-led campaign for a climate safe world for all, will be partnering with Doc Society and the screening platform, Kinema, to offer FREE screenings of the new documentary MRS ROBINSON to communities, educational institutions, and anyone interested in witnessing bold leadership in action.
🎉 We’ve already sponsored watch parties in over 100 countries and more than 22 languages.
