Jeff Bezos pledges $10bn to fight climate change

Daily US Times, Seattle: Amazon boss Jeff Bezos pledged 10 billion dollars to help fight climate changes. The money would finance work by scientists, activists and other groups.

The world’s richest man said he wants to work alongside others both to amplify known ways and to explore new ways of fighting the devastating impact of climate change.

On his Instagram account, he said the fund would begin distributing money this summer.

Bezos has an estimated 130 billion dollars, which means the fund represents almost 4 percent of his total fortune.

Some Amazon employees have long urged him to do more to fight climate change. Some staff have spoken publicly and there have been walkouts as well. Bezos has also been criticized for financing the Blue Origin space programme, which will emission lots of carbon.

Compared to some multi-billionaires, Bezos had done only limited philanthropy while his biggest donation before Monday’s pledge is thought to have been $2bn in September 2018 to help homeless families and fund schools.

He has also been criticized for not signing the Giving Pledge, under which the super-rich promise to give away half of their wealth.

Microsoft unveiled a plan in January to become carbon negative by 2030. The Seattle-based Amazon is a neighbor of Microsoft.

Jeff Bezos’s Instagram post reads: “Today, I’m thrilled to announce I am launching the Bezos Earth Fund.⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣”Climate change is the biggest threat to our planet. I want to work alongside others both to amplify known ways and to explore new ways of fighting the devastating impact of climate change on this planet we all share. This global initiative will fund scientists, activists, NGOs – any effort that offers a real possibility to help preserve and protect the natural world.

“We can save Earth. It’s going to take collective action from big companies, small companies, nation-states, global organizations, and individuals. ⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣”I’m committing $10bn to start and will begin issuing grants this summer. Earth is the one thing we all have in common – let’s protect it, together.”

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