In this video essay, I look at why billionaires won't save us from climate change. Specifically, I look at how the elite philanthropy of Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk function as more of a billionaire preservation of wealth and self than as an act of altruism.
Elite philanthropy from Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos in particular seem to solidify their political and social power even more. Bill Gates and his foundation have steered the realm of global health for quite some time (especially during the pandemic) and it seems as if he is using his billionaire wealth to do the same for climate action.
Jeff Bezos' $10 billion Earth Fund seems to be functioning in a similar way while also whitewashing the destructive nature of Amazon, aka how Jeff Bezos made his money.
Elon Musk is also jumping on the billionaire philanthropy train with a carbon capture prize that is measly compared to his massive wealth. At the end of the day billionaires and billionaire money are not solutions to climate change and the climate crisis, we are.
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- Our Changing Climate