Rihanna Donates $15 Million To Combat Climate Change

Rihanna pledges $15 million to fight climate change through her Clara Lionel Foundation.

The Rude Boy singer announced the donation on Tuesday (January 25), with plans to distribute the money amongst eighteen climate justice organisations.

The organisations, operating within the seven Caribbean nations and the US, including the likes of Climate Justice Alliance, Indigenous Environmental Network and the Movement for Black Lives.

In a statement shared with AP News, Rihanna said that the money would aim to help those most vulnerable to climate change and the social justice issue it encourages. Organisations led by female, LGBT+ and black or indigenous leaders are to be prioritised by the grants.

“Climate disasters, which are growing in frequency and intensity, do not impact all communities equally,” read the statement. “With communities of colour and island nations facing the brunt of climate change.”

“Funders must build partnerships with grassroots organisations, acknowledging their deep understanding of what is necessary to achieve climate justice in their own communities,” stated Justice Lucas, executive director of the Clare Lionel Foundation.

Rihanna, who was born in Barbados, has frequently received praise for her philanthropic work. In 2017 she received the Humanitarian of the Year award from Harvard and was named a national hero in November by the then-Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.

The Clare Lionel Foundation – founded by Rihanna in 2012 and named in honour of her grandparents – aims to fund projects which fight and protect against climate change, while supporting communities that have fallen victim to natural disasters.

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