Activists call on Amazon to speed up climate goals amid Prime Day

Amazon is holding its annual Prime Day promotional sale on Tuesday and Wednesday. Environment groups are using the day to demand the company move faster in meeting its climate commitments.

On Tuesday, protesters gathered outside the Amazon Spheres and blocked lanes going north on 6th Avenue between Lenora Street and Blanchard Street. However, the lanes were back open around 15 minutes later.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) posted on X that the lanes were blocked at 10:52 a.m.

Demonstration on 6th Ave between Lenora St & Blanchard St blocking all NB lanes. Use alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/LVP7cMoOrH

— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) July 16, 2024

At 11:08 a.m. SDOT said the lanes were back open and then at 11:22 a.m. SDOT said the area was cleared.

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Protesters said Amazon is moving in the wrong direction toward increased pollution. Along with blocking the road, protesters painted the words, “Amazon: Wrong Way On Climate” across the asphalt.

In a news release from the activist group, they called for the company to accelerate its progress toward climate targets by committing to zero-emissions last-mile deliveries by 2030.

“Protesters will be sending a message to Amazon executives that the company is moving the wrong way on climate, labor and public health,” stated the news release. “Shutting down Sixth Avenue in front of Amazon’s headquarters, the demonstration features a street mural and a 1,200-square-foot banner with the action message: ‘Amazon is going the wrong way on climate.”

Activists also plan to send a letter to the company’s CEO Andy Jassy.

“Representatives from Stand will also attempt to deliver a letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, outlining steps the company needs to take to correct course and align with the latest science on climate change,” wrote the news release.

The group said the company has shown little progress on implementation in the marine shipping sector and has failed to end port pollution.

“Stand and partners are working to engage the company in good-faith conversations to chart a science-based pathway toward climate progress,” stated the news release

Amazon spokesman Steve Kelly provided a statement to KIRO Newsradio Tuesday combating the message of the activists.

“The groups protesting (Tuesday) are wrong about the facts and our sustainability efforts, and lack a basic understanding of our operations generally,” Kelly’s statement begins. “The fact is, there are few companies that are making the progress we are to become more sustainable — which is keeping us on track to be net-zero carbon across all of our operations by 2040.”

Kelly also pointed out in his statement that Amazon recently announced it has more than 24,000 electric delivery vans on the road around the world, that the company reached its goal of “100% renewable energy seven years early,” and that it has removed 95% of plastic air pillows from its delivery packaging in North America.

Protesters gathered outside Amazon HQ in March

In March, a protest at Amazon headquarters pitted activists, objecting to the use of fossil fuels, against company employees trying to get to work.

Past protests: Protests at Amazon HQ object to use of fossil fuels in Oregon

“I understand their point, but I’m just trying to get to my morning meeting,” an Amazon worker said.

At issue was Amazon’s use of fracked gas from a controversial natural gas pipeline project that would run from Canada through Idaho, Washington and Oregon.

Contributing: Steve Coogan and Bill Kaczaraba

Julia Dallas is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read her stories here. Follow Julia on X here and email her here.

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