Venice Climate Activists Urge Jeff Bezos to Take Bold Environmental Action

Italian climate activists have issued a pointed message to Jeff Bezos amidst plans for his luxurious wedding in Venice. On June 23, Greenpeace Italy displayed a massive banner in Venice’s Piazza San Marco, pressing Bezos to consider paying higher taxes as he prepares to marry Lauren Sánchez in the historic city. The sign, featuring a laughing Bezos, read: “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax.”

The protest underscores growing frustration towards the wealthy’s inaction on climate issues. Greenpeace highlighted increasing climate crises impacts and criticized the lack of significant tax contributions toward ecological initiatives. This demonstration aligns with past controversies, including a European court ruling that exempted Amazon from paying €250 million in taxes to Luxembourg.

Locals and activists are concerned that the multi-million dollar wedding will aggravate Venice’s overtourism issues. Despite attempts to reassure that the event will not cause disruptions, skepticism persists. Venice has already begun implementing a daytrip tax as a preservation effort, emphasizing the city’s vulnerability.

Amazon’s environmental impact draws ongoing scrutiny; recent reports show rising carbon emissions despite corporate pledges to reduce them. Greenpeace EU calls for taxing the super-rich to mitigate their environmental damage, asserting, “Venice needs public services and housing, not VIPs and over-tourism. The world is not their playground.”