Rihanna’s foundation donates US$15 million to climate justice

Rihanna is backing her belief that climate change is a social justice issue by pledging US$15 million to the movement through her Clara Lionel Foundation.

The We Found Love singer Tuesday announced the donation to 18 climate justice organisations doing work in seven Caribbean nations and the United States, including the Climate Justice Alliance, the Indigenous Environmental Network, and the Movement for Black Lives.

“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,” Rihanna said in a statement, adding that is the reason her foundation prioritises both climate resilience and climate justice work.

The grants, made in partnership with Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey’s #StartSmall philanthropic initiative, are focused on groups with female, LGBT, and black and indigenous leaders because their communities are at greatest risk.

“Funders must build partnerships with grassroots organisations, acknowledging their deep understanding of what is necessary to achieve climate justice in their own communities,” Justine Lucas, Clara Lionel Foundation’s executive director, said in a statement.