Rihanna has called on newly appointed World Bank president Ajay Banga and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to “step up for communities hit hardest by climate emergencies.”
In a tweet, Rihanna – who has more than 108 million followers – wrote: “Hey @SecYellen & #AjayBanga, will you join @miaamormottley and step up for communities hit hardest by climate emergencies? We need you to make bold commitments to finance & debt reforms. I address climate change w/ @ClaraLionelFdn — now it’s your turn.”
Hey @SecYellen & #AjayBanga, will you join @miaamormottley and step up for communities hit hardest by climate emergencies? We need you to make bold commitments to finance & debt reforms. I address climate change w/ @ClaraLionelFdn—now it’s your turn. https://t.co/7gBeshKIg7
— Rihanna (@rihanna) June 20, 2023
The singer and fashion mogul founded the Clara Lionel Foundation (named for Rihanna’s grandparents) in 2012. According to a description, the non-profit organization funds “climate resilience and climate justice initiatives in the U.S. and Caribbean.”
Last year, the foundation pledged $15 million U.S. to 18 climate justice organizations. In a statement at the time, Rihanna said: “Climate disasters, which are growing in frequency and intensity, do not impact all communities equally, with communities of colour and island nations facing the brunt of climate change.”
The pop star’s tweet included a link to Global Citizen’s Power Our Planet initiative and came ahead of Thursday’s Power Our Planet: Live in Paris concert featuring Billie Eilish, Lenny Kravitz, Jon Batiste and H.E.R.
The climate crisis is causing oceans to warm and rise, increasing the risk to island nations like Rihanna’s native Barbados.
Mia Amor Mottley, prime minister of Barbados, retweeted Rihanna and wrote: “Thank you
@rihanna! The Bridgetown Initiative is an opportunity for world leaders to reform development finance and help poor countries address the climate crisis. We must unite to make real progress. The climate crisis is our reality. Adaptation is key. Let's #powerourplanet