Through the Bezos Earth Fund, the Amazon boss has donated $ 791 million to the following 16 organizations: Climate Equality and Clean Energy Fund; ClimateWorks Foundation; Dream Corps Green For All Foundation; Eden afforestation project; Energy fund; Environment protection fund; Hive Foundation for Climate and Gender Equity; Natural Resources Protection Council; Nature conservation fund; NDN Collective organization; Rocky Mountain Institute; Salk Institute for Biological Research; The Solutions Project organization; Union of Concerned Scientists; World Resources Institute and World Wildlife Fund.
Jeff Bezos’ contribution comes a year after Amazon announced the “The Climate Pledge” project, which pledges the company will use 100% renewable energy by 2025 and be carbon-free by 2040. Amazon also bought 100,000 vehicles delivered using electrical energy and invested $ 100 million in reforestation projects and “climate mitigation measures”.
“We can all protect the future of the Earth with bold actions right now,” said Bezos.
The Bezos Earth Fund is part of the CEO’s $ 10 billion pledge to support scientists, activists, non-governmental organizations and organizations working to protect the environment. Bezos’ $ 10 billion pledge is a fraction of his $ 184 billion net worth.
Previously, Amazon has been criticized for its environmental impact for its focus on fast shipping programs. Bezos has come under pressure from Amazon employees to put more effort into protecting the environment. Thousands of Amazon employees signed a letter in May 2019 asking the company to come up with a plan to respond to climate change. In September 2019, many Amazon employees even protested to urge the company to pay more attention to the environment.
Despite increasing his contribution to social activities in the past few years, Bezos is often criticized stingy when compared to other billionaires. The amount of Bezos charity money is underestimated compared to the billions of dollars of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett or even his ex-wife, Mrs. Mackenzie. Jeff Bezos also doesn’t sign a Giving Pledge pledge, giving away at least half of his fortune for charitable purposes like other billionaires.