This Strong Two-Word Message from Arnold Schwarzenegger Might Just Save the Planet
That's the two-word challenge he says could turn the tide in the fight against climate change—not by waiting for leaders in Washington to act, but by taking matters into our own hands.
'Whining doesn't change anything. Whining doesn't build anything,' he said, responding to growing disillusionment from climate advocates. 'Sometimes problems need to be solved by the people.'
Instead of directing fire at politicians, though he subtly referenced U.S. leaders who've rolled back environmental protections, Schwarzenegger urged individuals, local governments, and businesses to step up. He pointed to mayors transitioning fleets to electric vehicles, schools installing solar panels, and CEOs cutting corporate emissions. Real progress, he argued, doesn't need permission from the Oval Office.
'I know this sounds a little bit like a motivational speech... because it is,' he added with signature bluntness.
Schwarzenegger drew on his own history for proof. As governor, he spearheaded emissions regulations that clashed with federal policy. When the Environment Protection Agency tried to block California's efforts in 2007, he didn't back down—he sued. And won.
'Did we whine like little girlie men?' he asked. 'No, we sued them. We took the fight from court to court to court.'
Now, he says, it's time for that same energy. 'You don't need to be the president to be a hero,' he told the crowd. 'You just need to care and get off your butts and get to work.'
Because sometimes, two words are all it takes to start a movement. Perhaps, in this case, these two could lead to saving the planet.This Strong Two-Word Message from Arnold Schwarzenegger Might Just Save the Planet first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 5, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
7 hours ago
- Axios
Trump brings back the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools
President Trump will revive the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools, which was phased out more than a decade ago, a White House official confirmed to Axios on Thursday. The big picture: The test — featuring challenges like a one-mile run, pull-ups and the sit-and-reach — was once a rite of passage for America's youth. It was also a source of anxiety and shame for more than a few kids, who ended up feeling like they weren't strong enough for the president's (or Arnold Schwarzenegger ' s) purposes. Trump on Thursday will sign an executive order to reestablish the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, which includes re-establishing the test, as first reported by CNN. Why it matters: The Trump administration has focused on sports and athletics, including banning transgender athletes and hosting major national and international sporting events. State of play: Then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the test in 1956 to assess cardiovascular fitness, upper body and core strength, endurance, flexibility and agility, according to Harvard Health. The test included a one-mile run, pull-ups or push-ups, sit-ups, shuttle run, and sit-and-reach. Children in the top 15% received the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, established by former President Lyndon B. Johnson. President Obama replaced the test after the 2012-13 school year and instituted the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, putting more emphasis on students' health rather than performance, per Education Week. Flashback: Eisenhower originally established the test out of panic over American children being less fit than European children, Vox reported. One of its early iterations was akin to a military training exercise. What's next: The Presidential Fitness test will be administered by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The executive order directs the council to create school programs rewarding excellence in physical education and develop criteria for a fitness award. What they're saying: "President Trump wants to ensure America's future generations are strong, healthy, and successful," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
New York Times
18-07-2025
- New York Times
Newsom Wants California to Counter Texas on Redistricting
When Arnold Schwarzenegger, then the governor of California, urged voters to 'terminate gerrymandering' 15 years ago, most welcomed the chance to take some power away from politicians. In 2010, more than 60 percent of voters approved a measure that put the job of drawing California's congressional map in the hands of an independent commission instead of with partisan lawmakers. Now one of Mr. Schwarzenegger's successors, Gov. Gavin Newsom, is threatening to blow up California's system for a partisan purpose. As Texas considers an extraordinary middecade redrawing of its maps to help Republicans win more seats in Congress and to satisfy President Trump, Mr. Newsom has said California should counter with a similar move to help Democrats. Never mind that legal scholars have described his proposals as far-fetched. The longest of long shots. A path that would require political gymnastics and subvert California's high-minded approach. Mr. Newsom, in suggesting that California play hardball politics, seems determined to show that he is a Democratic warrior trying to beat Republicans at their own game. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Yahoo
Arnold Schwarzenegger blasts California politicians for housing crisis, calls citizens ‘economically homeless
Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't mincing words about the state's escalating housing crisis. In a recent appearance on comedian Theo Von's This Past Weekend podcast, Schwarzenegger recalled that when he first arrived in California, the state's population was around 20 million. Since then, it has roughly doubled — a surge that, he argued, demanded a proportional increase in housing. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how 'When you go from 20 to 40 million people, then you need twice as many houses, you need twice as many apartment buildings, you need twice as much of everything, schools and everything,' Schwarzenegger said. 'They didn't take care of them because the environmentalists thought that if we say, 'no growth,' then no one will come. But in the meantime, no one gives a sh-t about that — they come anyway. Then somehow they live three people in one apartment, or five people in one apartment, workers — they sometimes live 10 people in one apartment.' He explained that with limited housing supply, prices inevitably skyrocketed. 'The unit that used to cost $600 now costs $3,000 a month. But the salaries, the wages didn't go up accordingly. So now you have people that are economically homeless — they cannot afford paying for their rent anymore, so this is created by the politicians,' he said. Hedging against the soaring cost of living California stands out for its steep housing costs. According to real estate brokerage Redfin, the average monthly rent in the state is $2,481 — substantially higher than the U.S. median of $1,642. The gap is even wider for homebuyers. Redfin data show California's median home price is $858,600, nearly double the national median of $440,910. A recent Bankrate study found that a household in California needs an annual income of $213,447 to afford a typical home in the state. Yet real estate remains a popular investment choice for those looking to hedge against rising living costs. When inflation goes up, property values often climb as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to rise, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts with inflation. Over the past five years, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index has surged more than 50%. These days, you don't need to buy an entire property outright to benefit from real estate investing. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived have made it easier than ever for everyday investors to gain exposure to this income-generating asset class. Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants. The process is simple: Browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you'd like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving positive rental income distributions from your investment. For accredited investors, Homeshares gives access to the $35 trillion U.S. home equity market, which has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors. With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property. With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets. Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord. With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns. Simply answer a few questions — including how much you would like to invest — to start browsing their full list of available properties. Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — A golden alternative Real estate isn't the only asset investors turn to during times of inflation. Gold has helped people preserve their purchasing power for thousands of years. Today, the yellow metal is as relevant as ever for a simple reason: Unlike fiat currency, it can't be printed in unlimited quantities by central banks. Gold has also long been viewed as a safe-haven investment. It's not tied to any one country, currency or economy, and investors tend to pile in during times of economic turmoil or geopolitical uncertainty — driving up its value. In just the last 12 months, the price of gold has surged by 40%. Ray Dalio, founder of the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, recently highlighted gold's importance in a resilient portfolio. 'People don't have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,' Dalio told CNBC earlier this year. 'When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.' One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold. Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, which combines the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an attractive option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties. To learn more, you can get a free information guide that includes details on how to get up to $10,000 in free silver on qualifying purchases. What to read next Here are the 6 levels of wealth for retirement-age Americans — are you near the top or bottom of the pyramid? This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Car insurance in America could climb to a stunning $2,502/year on average — but here's how 2 minutes can save you more than $600 in 2025 Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Money doesn't have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
