Climate change will take center stage in the technology industry today as thousands of employees at some of the world’s biggest and most influential companies plan to walk off the job.
Employees from Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook, Google, Twitter, Square and more are walking out Friday in support of the Global Climate Strike, a week-long series of youth-driven marches and demonstrations across the globe demanding reduced fossil fuel use. Groups within each of the companies, many of whom compete on a day-to-day basis, are aligning on Twitter and publicly planning their own demonstrations to spotlight climate change issues.
Microsoft folks, join us in supporting the youth lead Global Climate Strike this Friday September 20th from 11:30am – 1pm at the field by the Commons. Make sure to wear green and bring signs! Spread the word, let’s do our part to help save the planet!
— Microsoft Workers 4 Good (@MsWorkers4) September 16, 2019
Posters for days!! We’re ready to march 📣 pic.twitter.com/ROqKT4WcYM
— Google Workers for Action on Climate (@GoogleWAC) September 19, 2019
Ready for tomorrow.
Twitter folks – find us at the Commons in the morning to get a #ClimateStrike respirator, or bring your own! See you at 9:30 in the lobby to walk to the march. pic.twitter.com/rg8fZ0vsGC
— Twt Workers for Climate Action (@TwtAction) September 19, 2019
There’s a climate crisis, right now, and we need to act today to ensure a future for today’s youth.
Square workers are joining youth activists in demanding meaningful action in tomorrow’s global #ClimateStrike.
Join us! https://t.co/O2EGOTjRb2
— Square Workers for Climate Action (@SquareWorkers) September 20, 2019
A day before the walkouts and marches were set to begin, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced a sweeping initiative to make the company carbon neutral by 2040 and shift to entirely renewable energy a decade before that. In addition to the new Climate Pledge, Amazon also shared its carbon footprint for the first time and announced plans to purchase 100,000 electric vans from Rivian to make its delivery fleet more environmentally friendly.
A group of Amazon employees has pushed the company to be a leader in battling climate change in recent years, gathering more than 3,500 signatures for a petition demanding a company-wide environmental plan. The group applauded the news but made clear they’re not taking pressure off the company.
Bezos’ announcement and the beginning of the marches come days before the United Nation’s Climate Action Summit on Monday, and the start of the annual Climate Week in New York City, beginning on Tuesday. The events bring together leaders in industry, government and nonprofits.
Editor’s note: This story will be updated as the employee walkouts occur.
