Climate Lab, a Seattle Times initiative, is diligently working to shine the spotlight on the impacts of climate change in the Pacific Northwest. This crucial project, partially funded by The Bullitt Foundation, Mike and Becky Hughes, University of Washington, and Walker Family Foundation, has been pivotal in uncovering the environmental effects of corporate activities in the region.
In their most recent coverage, Climate Lab has highlighted the actions of climate activists from a group known as the Troublemakers. The group has not shied away from confronting behemoth corporations, such as Amazon, concerning their carbon footprint and association with disputed environmental projects such as TC Energy’s Gas Transmission Northwest Xpress Project.
The pipeline project, if completed, is expected to pump an additional 150 million cubic feet of natural gas daily. This starkly contrasts Amazon’s promise to decarbonize by 2040 and to utilize 100% renewable energy by 2041. The Troublemakers, backed by numerous other environmental activists, argue that despite Amazon’s claims of investing in renewable energy and cutting emissions, the company’s use of natural gas for its data centers would add an estimated 250,000 tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere annually.
The protestors have a clear list of demands for Amazon. They are calling for the company to publicly denounce the plan to connect to the Gas Transmission Northwest XPress, commit to not powering AWS data centers with fossil fuels, and to pledge to use 100% renewable energy in all operations. The Troublemakers have shown their commitment to their cause by taking direct action.
In March 2024, members of the Troublemakers blocked entrances at Amazon’s Day 1 building in Seattle, protesting against the company’s plan to use natural gas from the new pipeline. Their argument is that Amazon, despite its promises to address climate change and become carbon neutral by 2040, has seen its carbon footprint increase by 39% since 2019.
Critics, including the Troublemakers, argue that despite Amazon’s commitments to renewable energy, the company’s use of fossil fuel contradicts its claim of being innovative and contributes to environmental degradation. The situation highlights the growing tension between corporate commitments to combating climate change and the realities of their operational activities. As the world watches, only time will tell if companies like Amazon will follow through on their environmental commitments.
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