Humanity has enjoyed great progress over the past half-century. But the price we have paid for these changes has been high. The good news is, we don’t have to choose between prosperity and the environment. See how the Bezos Earth Fund is working to address its twin goals of climate change and nature during this decisive decade.
We believe that humanity doesn’t need to choose between prosperity and a healthy environment. Evidence is clear that smart climate and nature actions can lead to a healthier economy as well as healthier people and a healthier society. The transitions that are needed are large and will often be disruptive, but with the right focus, leadership, and financing, they can be achieved.
It is not too late, but the window is closing.
Our View of the World
The economy of 2030 and 2040 must be dramatically different from what it is today. Economic growth has brought great gains, but at too high a price in terms of pollution, climate change and the loss of nature. Radical changes are needed in the way we live and work as we decouple human progress from our environmental footprint.
A Systems Approach
Solving today’s big problems of climate change, food security, forest protection, ocean management etc, requires a systems approach. We track the 50 transformations that need to take place this decade. In each of these an array of factors must be addressed, and a range of actors are needed to drive a solution. There are rarely silver bullets. It’s a jigsaw puzzle!
How We Work
As we seek to deliver our ambitious goals, we are guided by a set of ten principles (our tenets) relating to our focus, our commitments, our risk taking and our partnerships.
Our Ideas
We invest in big ideas
Incremental steps and half-measures will not bring about the transformational change the world so desperately needs. If we are to quicken the pace and scale of change, we must pursue new strategies and invest in bold concepts. Explore these big ideas and see how the Bezos Earth Fund is working to help the world take major leaps forward in the fight for our planet.
Protecting 30% of the Planet by 2030
Currently, just 15% of land and 8% of our oceans are protected. The Bezos Earth Fund supports initiatives working to protect 30% of the planet’s natural resources by the year 2030.
Satellites for Climate and Nature
With data, we can track emissions and hold actors accountable for climate change impacts, yet too often, information isn’t available or accessible. The Bezos Earth Fund supports game-changing satellite tracking and other technology to show how human activities impact our climate and nature.
Seizing the Historic Opportunity of Justice40
Environmental harm has disproportionately hurt communities of color in the U.S. The U.S. Justice40 initiative was created to address this inequity by directing 40 percent of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities. The Bezos Earth Fund is partnering with grantees to help underserved communities in the U.S. attract these resources to build health, wealth, and resilience while advancing climate solutions.
Electric Buses for Health and Climate
School buses that run on diesel produce dangerous air pollutants that impact the health of our kids, our communities, and our planet. The Bezos Earth Fund supports efforts to modernize and electrify school bus fleets across the U.S. and finally put fossil fuel-powered buses in the rear-view mirror.
Carbon-absorbing Crops
Climate change can disrupt food availability and reduce food quality, but it doesn’t have to be this way. The Bezos Earth Fund is investing $1 billion by 2030 to help transform food systems to feed a growing population and create the next generation of crops to be nutrient-rich and climate resilient.
Transforming Carbon-Intensive Industries
Carbon-intensive industries like cement and steel account for 30 percent of global emissions. Technologies available today can slash emissions but only if stakeholders work together to overcome barriers. That’s why the Bezos Earth Fund is partnering with groups like the Mission Possible Partnership to establish green industrial hubs in Houston and Los Angeles to help trigger a net-zero transformation of seven industrial sectors.
Reaching Positive Tipping Points
Positive tipping points – in which change triggers a large shift – are critical to solving climate change. The Bezos Earth Fund is working to ensure the scales are tipped in favor of a brighter future.