Words by Tess Becker
The climate crisis will affect everyone, and in many places it already does. The Californian hills have run red with wildfires and South Florida has experienced flooding. As a result, some of the most influential people in the world are beginning to speak out.
One such person is the international icon, Rihanna.
Rihanna recently tweeted at US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and World Bank chief Ajay Banga yesterday, asking them to “make bold commitments to finance and debt reforms.” Those reforms would be focused on better addressing climate-related issues.
“Will you join Mia Mottley [Barbados’ Prime Minister] and step up for communities hit hardest by climate emergencies?” she said in the tweet.
For nearly a decade Rihanna and her brand, Fenty, have been funding climate change initiatives in the US and her home country, Barbados. Her foundation, the Clara Lionel Foundation, donated over €13 million to climate justice just last year.
It has been hard at work since 2012 when it donated millions in grants following devastating natural disasters - including after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017.
“Climate disasters, which are growing in frequency and intensity, do not impact all communities equally, with communities of colour and island nations facing the brunt of climate change,” said Rihanna.
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
I Am A Girl NGO. They work to support girls across Barbados. Find out more and support them here.
Cultural Survival. They are an indigenous-led nonprofit focused on empowering indigenous Americans and helping the planet. Find out more.
American Forests. A conservation organization focused on preserving and protecting American forests. Support them here.
