Renowned actor Harrison Ford urged graduates at Arizona State University (ASU) to champion social justice as a way to rectify the environmental challenges left by previous generations.
Known for his iconic roles in “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones,” Ford delivered a heartfelt commencement address on May 11. During the ceremony, he was honored with an honorary Doctor of Arts and Humane Letters degree, acknowledging his dedication to environmental conservation.
Throughout his speech, Ford emphasized his commitment to combating climate change, urging students to foster a “cultural change” essential for averting the “mass extinction” driven by corruption and global warming.
“We are part of nature, not its overseers,” Ford asserted. “Our responsibility is to safeguard 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030 to avert mass extinction and mitigate global warming.
“Despite advancements in science and policy, nature continues to fall victim to greed, corruption, and conflict, even in areas supposedly protected. While these efforts are critical, they fall short of what’s needed,” he noted.
He went on to stress, “Cultural transformation is vital. We must advance social justice and honor Indigenous communities who are often marginalized and, tragically, face violence.”
“These communities have long understood that the trees, the mountain, water, soil are not commodities. They are relatives to be cherished for following generations to embrace and protect.”
Ford encouraged graduates and members of their generation to go out and “change the world” after acknowledging that past generations, including his, left the world a mess.
“We can all play a role by embracing that wisdom in our day-to-day lives, by loving the planet, by honoring nature’s authority, her generosity, the bounty she affords us, the justice of her example, because the world you’re stepping into, the world my generation left you, is a real mess,” Ford said.
He added, “Your generation has far more power than you may realize. And if you harness that power, if you find your leadership, your issues, your voice, the world will not be able to ignore you.”
In a comment to Fox News Digital, a ASU representative pointed to another speech given by University President Michael Crow, who praised the founding of America and called people who were sick of the country “losers.”
“[U]niversities are not about one perspective or position,” the ASU representative said.
Ford, who previously said his “moral purpose was being a Democrat,” has also been a frequent critic of President Trump.
He was among several celebrities who endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.
The ASU speech came before a recent report by The College Fix showed Democrats outnumbering Republicans by more than 6-to-1 among commencement speakers at the top US colleges for this year.
