Kathmandu— Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos recently announced a $200 million commitment through the Phoenix Species Project aimed at reviving 100 endangered species globally, but the effort has sparked controversy given Amazon’s substantial contribution to worldwide carbon emissions. While DiCaprio expressed joy over the initiative, highlighting its potential to protect ecosystems alongside vulnerable animals, critics argue that Bezos' funding is a form of 'greenwashing' insufficient to offset the environmental damage caused by his wealth and company. The project will focus on species like lemurs in Madagascar, pink iguanas in the Galápagos, and pancake tortoises in Tanzania.

Amazon’s Rising Emissions

Despite Bezos’ philanthropic efforts, Amazon's carbon footprint continues to grow; the company’s 2025 emissions surpassed those of 2024, reaching 80 million metric tons – a 16% increase. A significant portion of these emissions stems from increased electricity purchases for data centers and a 20% rise in emissions from Amazon's delivery and transport fleet, which accounts for over 76% of its total carbon footprint.

Bezos’ Personal Carbon Footprint

The environmental impact extends beyond the corporation to Bezos’ personal lifestyle. He owns two private jets and a $500 million superyacht, collectively emitting approximately 10,000 tons of CO2 annually. According to an Oxfam report, Bezos is responsible for one million times more carbon pollution than the average person.

Texas Data Center Expansion

Amazon’s planned data center in Pecos County, Texas, is projected to become the country's largest single source of fossil fuel emissions, operating 35 gas-burning turbines with a capacity of 7.65 gigawatts and emitting 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. This scale of pollution would place it alongside entire countries like Switzerland, Ireland, and Bulgaria in terms of carbon exhaust.

Renewable Energy Limitations

The demand for electricity, fueled by data centers and tech giants, is outpacing the growth of renewable energy sources. A solar farm capable of powering Amazon’s proposed Texas facility would require approximately 49,000 acres – an area equivalent to over 76 square miles or the size of Madison, Wisconsin.

The initiative raises questions about the effectiveness of philanthropic efforts when coupled with significant contributions to environmental damage, and whether such projects truly address the root causes of species endangerment.

(With inputs from CounterPunch)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.