Why Rihanna’s $15 Million Donation for Climate Justice is Right on Time
Rihanna’s statement perfectly sums up how climate disaster is happening today and what we can do about it
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Has Rihanna stopped making music? I am sad-face emoji: why has there been no new Rihanna songs since 2016?
Scrolling through #Rihanna twitter for answers, I stumbled upon her recent statement. Green heart emoji:
“Rihanna donates US $15 million for climate justice.”
Her statement lists 18 organization her foundation will support: the Black Feminist Fund, Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund, Indigenous Environmental Network, Movement 4 Black Lives, and The Solutions Project.
Climate change is happening first to island nations around the world. Extreme weather events happening more intensely and frequently, as well as the threat of rising water levels and the impact of salt water on food agriculture.
Funding to support island nations by the international community has not been fast or enough.
The small charities chosen by Rihanna’s foundation will go a long way to support communities at the brunt of climate change.
Here’s why.
Why small climate charities can deliver the most bang for the buck
“At the Clara Lionel Foundation, much of the work is rooted in the understanding that climate disasters, which are growing in frequency and intensity, do not impact all communities equally, with communities of color and island nations facing the brunt of climate change,” Rihanna said in a statement. “This is why CLF prioritizes both climate resilience and climate justice work across the U.S. and Caribbean.” — Rihanna, Clara Lionel Foundation.
In a study on charitable donations in the article, “Climate charities deliver the most charitable bang for the buck”, it shows how “neglected NGOs can lead to outsized impact.”
Climate change may not seem like a neglected issue. And yet, analysis shows climate advocacy is one of the most neglected causes for donations.
According to Carbon Switch, donors provided $8 billion to environmental NGOs in 2020, accounting for only 2% of all charitable contributions given in the United States.
Only 0.4 percent of donations went to groups that work directly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which is vital work that must be done to avoid catastrophic climate change.
Behind every big climate policy is an idea first formed by a small climate NGOs
Small, local charities have a deep understanding of what is needed, expecially in a crisis. They can also achieve faster results for climate justice through policy.
The small nonprofits doing the work on the ground are critical for climate policy change at a local government level.
It’s not all about business or government to inform climate policy.
It is more-often small nonprofits that come up with the initial idea. They write the legislation, then lobby political leaders to pass it.
Local climate nonprofits are proof small amounts of money can leverage big change
Island nations such as the republic of Barbados, where Rihanna is “hero of the nation,” will suffer huge costs due to climate change.
Island communities are on the frontline. From the Pacific to the Caribbean, island nations pleaded for support at COP26.
Rihanna’s aid to 18 local charities is a much-needed transfusion of funds.
By focusing on small, local community climate charities, Rihanna is bang on trend. This is a canny move that leads the way for others to now follow. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Ri.
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5 Quotes from Island Nations at COP26 That Will Break Your Heart
