Bezos Earth Fund

The energy transition is set to create a staggering 30 million jobs in clean energy, efficiency, and low-carbon technologies by 2030 (IEA). But we're already facing critical skills gaps. According to the LinkedIn Global Green Skills Report 2023, green jobs soared by 22% while the number of people with the necessary skills grew by only 12%. We need a full spectrum of talent, from technical experts to skilled managers. This is a golden opportunity to join forces together - to build a more inclusive future. Empowering women in this space is particularly crucial for broadening talent pools and allow them to play a key role in the energy transition. Currently, women only represent 32% of the renewable energy workforce a number that plummets to 10.8% for leadership positions. It’s time to change that. By ensuring everyone has access to the skills and resources they need, we can create good green jobs that also offer local development opportunities. At the Bezos Earth Fund we support innovative partnerships and solutions that harness the clean energy transformation to build a sustainable world where everyone thrives.

The grasslands of the Northern Great Plains support wildlife species found nowhere else. Thanks to generations of land stewardship by ranchers, Indigenous-led organizations, public agencies and nonprofit organizations, much of the Northern Great Plains remains as native grassland that is productive for people and wildlife. However, this unparalleled resource is threatened by land-use changes and a lack of capacity to manage the grasslands of this vast region. That’s why we’re excited to undertake this crucial work of restoring the Northern Great Plains with the Bezos Earth Fund. The Earth Fund’s major contribution to the Northern Great Plains Program helped to make this a record-breaking year for the program. Together, we’re looking forward to conserving vulnerable lands and preserving species across the landscape. 📷: Left: Bezos Earth Fund Program Officer Emily Averna and Monte Reed discuss conservation and restoration efforts on his family’s ranch in Wyoming. Right: Photo of a bison grazing on the grassland of the Northern Great Plains. #greatplains #grasslands #ecosystem #conservation

Today, we celebrate 1 Year of #GreeningAmericasCities 🌳 🎉 In July 2023, we committed $400M to equitable urban greening throughout the US and began on a journey that has exceeded our expectations. From tree planting and thriving urban farms to bustling markets and vibrant murals, the impact of this initiative resonates deeply across our flagship cities of Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Wilmington. This progress isn’t possible without the dedication of our incredible grantee partners and fellows. Every day, these communities lead the way to fight climate change, preserve nature, and advance social justice. We are deeply grateful for their passion and commitment. Together, we are working to ensure lasting positive change in communities nationwide. This is just the beginning! Stay tuned as we continue #GreeningAmericasCities.

The Congo Basin's forest stores almost 40 GT of carbon, even more than the Amazon Rainforest! But this ecosystem is endangered. To promote conservation efforts in the Congo Basin beyond established protected areas and help achieve global goals, the Community Land Rights and Conservation Finance Initiative (CLARIFI), Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI), Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC), and Campaign for Nature —with a grant from Bezos Earth Fund—are working together to strengthen the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ land rights in the Congo Basin in Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, and Gabon). The project “Partnership for People, Nature and Climate” aims to strengthen community land rights and conservation at the local level between 2022 and 2025 and advance global conservation, climate, and development goals. Read our new blog post to learn more about the actions that have considerably reduced the threat of deforestation in this ecosystem. https://lnkd.in/gd2WnDdm

Currently, only 15% of our land and 8% of our oceans are protected. The 30x30 goal aims to change that by protecting 30% by 2030. Beyond the numbers, it’s the incredible efforts of local heroes, supported by the Bezos Earth Fund, that make this possible. In Canada, First Nations communities are leading the way with their deep-rooted knowledge of the land. In Colombia, local groups have secured over 1.6 million hectares of new protected areas. In the Congo Basin, community conservation is thriving, safeguarding unique wildlife. And in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, nations are collaborating to preserve crucial marine habitats. These local heroes are making a global difference. This #WorldConservationDay, swipe through to see how they’re driving the 30x30 mission forward. Image Descriptions:  Slide 1&2 |  A view of Isla Ají, a newly declared marine protected area in Colombia's Pacific coast, from the water. [📷: Mauricio “Pato” Salcedo / Wildlife Conservation Society]  Slide 3 |  K’ómoks Nation Guardians Cedar Frank and Caelan McLean complete a fish survey. [📷: Coast Funds]  Slide 4| A local piangüera kneels in the mud among the mangrove roots of Colombia’s Isla Ají. [📷: Mauricio “Pato” Salcedo / Wildlife Conservation Society]  Slide 5 |  Grace Ollomo, WCS Congo's Social Safeguard Officer, educates a village near  Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park about how to address grievances related to conservation projects, ensuring local communities are involved and protected. [📷: Chris Nzouzi / Wildlife Conservation Society]  Slide 6&7 | A researcher releases a juvenile shark back into the ocean as part of a project supported by MigraMar. [📷: Edwar Herreno / Ocean Blue Tree ] #WorldConservationDay #30x30 #ProtectOurPlanet 

🚨Exciting news!🚨 The Bezos Earth Fund has extended the submission deadline for the #AIforClimateandNature Grand Challenge to August 13 at 5:59 p.m. ET (9:59 p.m. UTC). The Grand Challenge has received an incredible amount of interest from potential applicants — and the team is committed to supporting the best ideas from the brightest minds. Take advantage of this extra time to finalize and submit a proposal: https://lnkd.in/eYTKCvJB

We continue our "Waste to Wealth" category to shine a spotlight on forward-thinking individuals who are reimagining waste as a valuable resource and turning it into lucrative opportunities, while positively impacting our health, air and soil. Loopa's co-founder Cynthia Umutoniwabo talks about her journey and dedication to creating a cleaner and smarter Africa. Bezos Earth Fund #entrepreneurship #climateaction #impactinvesting

NEWS: New funding for MethaneSAT from Bezos Earth Fund 🎊 Thank you, BEF for your continued commitment to our mission 🤝 “The Bezos Earth Fund is providing crucial leverage for game-changing climate solutions, building momentum for action exactly when the world needs it most,” said Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp. “Cutting methane pollution is the single fastest way we have to slow the rate of warming. This gift from the Earth Fund will help us turn the tide on the climate crisis.” https://lnkd.in/dR5wesy3

If we can harness AI's potential and apply it responsibly to climate and nature, imagine the progress we might make in protecting our planet." -Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund The potential of #AI is boundless and we plan on leveraging it! If your organization has ideas on how this technology can be used in the fight against climate change and nature loss, we encourage you to apply to the #AIforClimateandNature Grand Challenge. The Challenge is focused in the following areas: 🌳 Biodiversity conservation 🍢 Sustainable proteins 🔋 Power grid optimization 🃏 Wildcard (for ideas outside these categories) For Dr. Steer's full piece on the power of AI and details on how to apply for the Grand Challenge, visit ⬇  https://lnkd.in/gKrTqSgg Applications close July 30th at 5:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Reviving degraded lands and creating thriving forests is possible through the practice of silviculture – growing and managing trees. The Coalizão Brasil Clima, Florestas e Agricultura and Bezos Earth Fund are partnering to restore ecosystems and boost the economy.   This work… 🌳 Creates jobs: Helping local communities thrive. 🌳 Captures carbon: Strengthening our climate fight. 🌳 Strengthens biodiversity: Bringing native species back.   The Research and Development Program for Native Species, launched by the Coalizão and partners, is driving the growth of valuable native trees, ensuring Brazil's forests are healthy and productive.   Discover how growing and managing native trees is shaping a brighter future for Brazil’s green economy.