Kaylah Walton
In an impactful essay published in the Global Health Review of Yale University, Violet Affleck, the daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, shared her personal and political insights on the climate crisis, recounting a tense interaction with her mother during a wildfire that affected their community in Los Angeles.
The 19-year-old, who is currently a freshman at Yale, titled her essay “A Chronically Ill Earth: COVID Organizing as a Model Climate Response in Los Angeles.” In her writing, she narrates how the devastating fire compelled her family to evacuate their home in Palisades and stay in a hotel, where disputes arose between her and Garner regarding climate change.
“During January’s wildfires in Los Angeles, I found myself in a hotel room arguing with my mother,” Violet recounted. The 13 Going on 30 actress, as described by her daughter, was “astonished and overwhelmed by the destruction in the area where she raised us,” a sentiment that took Violet by surprise. “My concern was not whether the Palisades would face flames, but rather when it would occur.”
Violet Affleck voices criticism towards adults’ responses to wildfires
The young advocate emphasized that her cohort—especially those who grew up in California—views the climate crisis as an unavoidable reality rather than a mere misfortune. Violet voiced her disappointment with how adults in the hotel addressed the situation, focusing on rebuilding, monetary costs, and losses. “To them, this crisis was just a series of unfortunate events—strong winds and low rainfall,” she pointed out.
Violet’s insights extend beyond her own experiences, directly blaming the consumption habits of affluent individuals for climate emergencies. “It is human-induced,” she noted. “Propelled by unsustainable consumption practices prevalent among the wealthiest populations in the richest nations, which have led much of the country and world to experience lethal temperatures, cycles of fire and flooding, rising seas, and failing crops.”
Violet also highlighted her younger brother Samuel, who questioned how wind speed relates to climate changes. She candidly addressed this in her essay: “I wish that most of us grasped the climate crisis better than my little brother does.”
The essay wraps up with a suggestion to leverage community organizing strategies utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic to tackle climate urgencies. Violet points to the resilience displayed by COVID-conscious communities and individuals with disabilities, proposing that their methods could inform future public policies in similar emergencies.
Prior to her admission to Yale, Violet already displayed her dedication to social issues. In July 2024, she addressed the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, urging them to uphold mask mandates in hospitals, sharing her experiences with viral illnesses, and advocating for the needs of vulnerable populations.
With this essay, Violet Affleck establishes herself as a vital voice from her generation regarding a crisis that demands urgent attention, even from the hallowed halls of Hollywood.
