Over 1,000 Google employees ask the company to issue a climate plan
More than 1100 Google employees signed an open letter on Monday asking the company to commit to a comprehensive plan to address "the pressures of the global climate crisis and its disproportionate damage to marginalized people."
The letter, posted on Medium and addressed to Google Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat, asks the technology giant to commit to zero emissions by 2030 and to conclude contracts that "enable or accelerate fossil fuel recovery." In addition, the letter asks the company to stop funding for think tanks, lobbyists and politicians who deny climate change.
It also requests that the company commit to zero cooperation with "entities that enable the imprisonment, surveillance, displacement or suppression of refugees or frontline communities."
"Google is a global company with billions of users worldwide, many of them already carrying the rest of the climate disaster," the letter states. "Google's code of conduct requires respect for users and opportunities. As Google workers, we are committed to putting our users first, and Google must do the same."
The open call for Google to take action on climate change comes as technology employees put more pressure on companies to make a proactive effort to solve the problem. In September, Amazon announced a comprehensive new plan to tackle climate change amid mounting pressure from employees to make the company more green and sustainable.
Adm. Director Jeff Bezos announced that the company would commit to carbon neutrality by 2040 and 1[ads1]00 percent renewable energy by 2030.
Microsoft employees shared an open letter in September that it was "not possible for us to ignore Microsoft's contribution to the climate crisis. "The requirements of Microsoft employees are identical to the Google employees listed in their letter.
The letter from Google employees specifically calls on Microsoft and Amazon workers 'efforts to challenge employers' efforts to combat climate change.
Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on The Hill's letter.
