Violet Affleck, the 19-year-old daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, shared her experiences and reflections on climate change in a revealing essay published in Yale’s Global Health Review. In her candid writing, titled “A Chronically Ill Earth: COVID Organizing as a Model Climate Response in Los Angeles,” Violet recounted a heated argument with her mother during their stay in a hotel while escaping the smoke from the devastating January fires in Los Angeles.
While Jennifer Garner, a lifelong resident of the area, was taken aback by the extent of destruction caused by the wildfires, Violet noted her surprise at her mother’s reaction, highlighting her own awareness of the climate crisis as a member of Generation Z. She criticized the attitudes of affluent individuals and their role in perpetuating the climate crisis, suggesting that the unhealthy consumption patterns of the wealthiest segments of society contribute significantly to environmental disasters.
Violet also articulated her broader concerns regarding society’s approach to crises like climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, which she argued are often treated as isolated incidents rather than interconnected challenges needing sustained solutions. In her essay, she mentioned her younger brother Samuel’s skepticism about linking wildfires to climate change, reflecting the generational differences in understanding these crucial issues.
Additionally, Violet’s previous activism on health matters surfaced in her essay, as she discussed the importance of community health protections during epidemic crises, warning against the normalization of risks associated with diseases like COVID-19. She expressed pressing concerns regarding disparities in healthcare access and emergency response associated with privilege, contrasting the prompt assistance received by affluent communities with the slow support for others in need.
The teenager’s thought-provoking observations and calls for action shed light on the urgency of climate adaptation and the systemic changes required to address both climate change and public health crises. In an effort to promote awareness and inspire others, Violet Affleck’s essay serves as a clarion call for understanding, action, and change in the face of the critical challenges facing our planet today. It’s heartening to see a young voice passionately advocating for a better future, emphasizing the importance of acknowledgment and responsiveness to the threats posed by climate change and health crises alike.