“Global warming makes future pandemics inevitable,” Fonda writes. “Such outbreaks are immediate crises, often causing people to change their habits overnight. The climate crisis is less obvious, allowing the more privileged to believe it is something that will one day — maybe — impact them.”

“Climate change affects us all. However, the lack of diversity in the policy arena and in media can obscure the disproportionate impact on women, indigenous people, and people of color. All must be at the table to address this existential threat to quality of life and the future of all humankind,” said WMC board chair Janet Dewart Bell. “Through the WMC Climate channel, we are positioning the people global warming affects the most front and center for readers.”

Last year, the Women’s Media Center graded sports desks at 75 of the nation’s newspapers and online sites with a “B+” for racial diversity, but a “D+” for gender and racial diversity combined.

“Janet has dedicated her career to advocating for gender and racial parity, as an author and through important media and communications positions,” said WMC co-founder Jane Fonda. “The WMC board has been well served from her years as vice chair. We are excited about her leadership as chair of the board.”

Protesters should link up with organizations that gather hiring statistics, such as USC’s Annenberg School, the Women’s Media Center, the NAACP and GLAAD. Those stats are key: They offer numbers about how much progress is/isn’t being made.