KiribatiBezos Earth Fund Gives $25M
The grant will support ocean conservation in the Pacific, targeting over 625,000 square miles of ocean surrounding several island nations, including Kiribati. The Earth Fund has now committed $63.3 million to the Pacific program.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Jeff Bezos' Earth Fund is providing $25 million to support ocean conservation in the Pacific. The grant will target more than 625,000 square miles of ocean surrounding the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
The money is part of the Earth Fund's $100 million commitment to support the Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity initiative, which aims to protect at least 30% of the region's waters by the end of the decade.
Lauren Sánchez Bezos, vice chair of the Earth Fund, is leading the effort. She said the ocean is essential to the people living in the Pacific, serving as a road, pantry, and backyard.
The latest cash will go toward several projects, including Papua New Guinea's first large offshore marine protected area and Tonga's expansion of existing protections.
Other grants will support the Cook Islands' Marae Moana ocean park and habitat planning in Kiribati and Vanuatu. Conservation group Rare will also receive funding to help Pacific governments develop proposals for protecting international waters under the U.N. High Seas Treaty.
The Earth Fund has granted roughly $2.4 billion so far, leaving more than $7 billion to award with approximately four years remaining before the 2030 deadline. To meet the deadline, the organization would need to average roughly $1.8 billion in grants annually.
French Polynesia has created the world's largest network of fully protected marine areas, covering nearly 625,000 square miles, after receiving funding in an earlier round. Niue has protected 40% of its national waters, and 17 of the Pacific region's 22 countries are now working on programs to protect and sustainably manage their waters.
Key facts
- The Earth Fund is providing $25 million to support ocean conservation in the Pacific.
- The grant will target over 625,000 square miles of ocean surrounding several island nations.
- The Earth Fund has committed $63.3 million to the Pacific program.
- The organization needs to average roughly $1.8 billion in grants annually to meet the 2030 deadline.
Three perspectives
Neutral
The Earth Fund's grant will support ocean conservation efforts in the Pacific. The organization still has a significant amount of money to award before the 2030 deadline. The success of the initiative will depend on the ability of the Earth Fund to accelerate its grantmaking.
Positive
The Earth Fund's commitment to ocean conservation is a significant step towards protecting the Pacific's marine ecosystem. The grant will support important projects, such as the creation of marine protected areas and habitat planning. The initiative has the potential to make a positive impact on the environment and the people living in the Pacific.
Negative
The Earth Fund still has a long way to go to meet its 2030 deadline, with more than $7 billion remaining to be awarded. The organization's ability to accelerate its grantmaking will be crucial to the success of the initiative. The delay in awarding the remaining funds may hinder the progress of the conservation efforts.
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