Champions of the Earth

Yvon Chouinard is the founder of Patagonia, the outdoor clothing company he transformed into a global force for environmental activism. A passionate rock climber and fly fisherman, his love of the outdoors became the foundation of a business philosophy that puts the planet before profit.

Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, launched the Bezos Earth Fund in 2020 with a $10 billion commitment to fight climate change — one of the largest philanthropic commitments in history to environmental causes.

Dr. Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmental and political activist who founded the Green Belt Movement and became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Her legacy transformed how the world understands the connection between environmental stewardship and human rights.

Michael Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg LP and three-term Mayor of New York City, has been one of the most impactful environmental philanthropists of the 21st century. His commitment to clean air, climate action, and sustainable cities spans decades.

Dr. Jane Goodall is a world-renowned primatologist, ethologist, and anthropologist whose 60-year study of chimpanzees in Tanzania revolutionized our understanding of animal behavior. She is now a tireless global ambassador for conservation and environmental education.

Elon Musk's Tesla has fundamentally disrupted the global auto industry and accelerated the transition to sustainable energy. Through Tesla's electric vehicles, battery storage, and solar products, Musk has arguably done more to electrify transportation than any other individual.

Laurene Powell Jobs, founder of the Emerson Collective, has emerged as one of the most strategic and impactful environmental philanthropists of her generation. She channels resources toward systemic change at the intersection of environmental protection, social justice, and economic opportunity.

Sir Richard Branson, the flamboyant founder of the Virgin Group, has been a vocal advocate for climate action and sustainable business. He pledged $3 billion of Virgin profits to tackle climate change and founded the Carbon War Room to mobilize business as a force for sustainability.