How Billionaires Are Responsible for Environmental Destruction

Direct Environmental Impact

The carbon emissions from billionaires' superyachts, private aircraft, vehicles, and multiple homes are thousands of times greater than those of the average person. Their lifestyles represent the extreme end of unsustainable consumption.

Media Influence

Billionaires own many of the influential newspapers, radio and television stations, and other media which: - Deny climate change is caused by human activity - Spread misinformation designed to hinder action on climate change - Present messages that resonate with ordinary people who desperately hope there are no existential environmental problems

See our comprehensive list of billionaire media ownership

Political Influence

They pour millions into think tanks and political parties that advocate for: - Economic growth over environmental protection - Policies that increase greenhouse gas emissions - Opposing regulations that would limit environmental damage

Investment Choices

The combined wealth of the world's 3,000 billionaires amounts to US $14.2 trillion. To put this vast sum in context: - Shell Oil PLC was recently valued at US $159 billion - The value of all shares tradable on the London Stock Exchange amounts to US $3.42 trillion

Billionaires invest primarily in: - Private companies they own outright or as controlling shareholders - Some of the most polluting industries: fossil fuels, mining, steel, concrete, chemicals, shipping, automotive, and space exploration - Other controversial industries such as gambling and armaments

Cultural Impact

As role models in our consumer society, billionaires: - Normalize excessive consumption - Promote measuring ourselves by what we want rather than what we need - Set standards of success tied to environmental exploitation

The Vulnerability of Billionaires

Despite their wealth and power, billionaires are vulnerable to: - Climate change itself, which threatens the stable conditions their luxury requires - Public opinion, which is increasingly critical of extreme wealth inequality - Concern for their legacy and status - Their desire for anonymity and privacy

These vulnerabilities present opportunities for our campaign to effect change.