Environmental activists from the group Troublemakers blocked entrances at Amazon’s Day 1 building in Seattle on March 27, 2024, in protest of the company’s plans to use natural gas from a new pipeline in Oregon to power data centers in the state. The group is calling on Amazon to cancel these plans, citing the company’s participation in fossil fuel expansion despite its initiatives to address climate change. The protest, organized by Emily Johnston and involving 50-60 people, included banners and bicycles blocking doors and garage entrances.
Troublemakers wrote a letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy urging him to reconsider plans to tap into the GTN Xpress gas pipeline for the data centers, arguing that doing so would lock Amazon into decades of fossil gas and tarnish the company’s reputation. Various organizations, including Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, signed the letter. The GTN Xpress pipeline expansion, opposed by Pacific Northwest leaders and environmental groups, has drawn backlash for Amazon’s involvement in lobbying against clean energy regulations for data centers in Oregon.
Amazon has made significant pledges to address climate issues, such as committing to use all clean power by next year, five years ahead of its original timeline. The company is the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy globally and has made progress in deploying renewable energy and electric vehicles. While Amazon plans to buy renewable power in an amount that matches its energy usage, it continues to use natural gas. Charley Daitch, a former AWS director, stated that the company’s use of natural gas is a short-term solution until green hydrogen becomes available.
Despite Amazon’s progress in using renewable energy, activists argue that using natural gas is not innovative and contributes to killing the planet. Microsoft and Google have pledged to use renewables 24/7, but Amazon is pursuing a different strategy called carbon matching, prioritizing renewable energy in areas with dirtier grids. Last summer, Amazon was the target of another environmental protest, and in May of last year, Amazon Employees for Climate Justice organized an employee walkout, calling on the company to prioritize climate in its decision-making.
The Troublemakers group believes it is essential to hold Amazon and other big polluters accountable for their environmental practices. By protesting at Amazon and shining a light on the company’s involvement in fossil fuel expansion, the activists aim to bring attention to the discrepancies between Amazon’s climate initiatives and its actions. With continued pressure and advocacy, environmental activists hope to push Amazon and other corporations to adopt more sustainable practices and reduce their impact on the environment.
