Twenty years ago, Julia Roberts won an Oscar for her portrayal of maverick environmental activist Erin Brockovich in the film of the same name. These days, in addition to her work on water safety and toxins in communities, Brockovich has taken on the climate emergency.
“Climate change is about too much water, not enough water, no water, drought, flooding,” Brockovich says. “I think it's becoming real because it's tangible, it's touchable. You're running from it, you’re breathing it. You're swimming in it. You could be drowning in it. I just think it's here.” Superman’s not coming to protect our water or environment, writes Brockovich in her latest book -- and neither are corporations, politicians or the “gutted” EPA.
“Climate change will be about our response, our preparedness, our defending ourselves,” Brockovich maintains. “And not just thinking that because you can’t see it, it’s not going to happen.”