Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, announced that he’s contributing $10 billion to fight climate change through his new philanthropic project called “the Bezos Earth Fund.” He expects to start giving out the first grants sometime this summer.
On March 6, 2018, Bezos was officially titled the wealthiest person on the planet with a registered net worth of $112 billion. During Bezos’s recent divorce, he lost around $38 billion; however, today he is still the richest person in the entire world, with an estimated net worth of $130 billion. That means his pledge accounts for roughly 7.7% of his wealth.
Bezos said:
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.
Bezos announced the pledge after the company was pressured by its employees to do more to fight climate change. Over 350 employees signed a Medium blog requesting net-zero emissions by 2030. Bezos then announced Amazon’s climate pledge to get the company 100,000 electric Rivian delivery vehicles by 2030, 100% renewable energy by 2030, and carbon-neutral by 2040.
Bezos wrote in an Instagram post:
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 $10 billion to start and will begin issuing grants this summer. Earth is the one thing we all have in common — let’s protect it together.
Among the five wealthiest people in the world, Jeff Bezos is the only American who has not signed the “Giving Pledge,” in which members promise to give away over 50% of their wealth during their lifetimes or in their wills. In May 2019 Bezos’ ex-wife signed the pledge. However, even though he hasn’t signed the pledge, at least he is committing to protecting the planet.
