Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos speaks to the media on the company's sustainability efforts on Sept. 19, 2019 in Washington, DC. ERIC BARADAT / AFP via Getty Images
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos just pledged $10 billion to fight the climate crisis.
<p>The world's richest man announced his Bezos Earth Fund in an Instagram post Monday.</p><p>"Climate change is the biggest threat to our planet," he wrote. "I want to work alongside others both to amplify known ways and to explore new ways of fighting the devastating impact of climate change on this planet we all share."</p>
<div id="67858" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="X3M9F91582034712"><blockquote class="instagram-media"
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8rWKFnnQ5c/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif;
font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;
word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Jeff Bezos on Instagram: “Today, I’m thrilled to announce I am launching the Bezos Earth Fund. Climate change is the biggest threat to our planet. I want to…”</a></p>
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<p>The fund will donate money to scientists, activists and non-governmental organizations working to protect the environment and will begin issuing grants this summer.</p><p>The announcement is a departure for Bezos, who has historically not chosen to direct his wealth towards philanthropy, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/17/technology/jeff-bezos-climate-change-earth-fund.html?smtyp=cur&smid=fb-nytimes&fbclid=IwAR2GbO0S8pb7fAitYN75_yLwWqAIAJHM0W4t0PkMB8b7eMAU-zdABgR5ad8" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>. Indeed, he is the only U.S. citizen among the world's five richest people who has not signed the Giving Pledge to give away more than half his fortune during his life or in his will, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jeff-bezos-giving-10-billion-to-fight-climate-change-2020-2?r=US&IR=T" target="_blank">Business Insider reported</a>. His $10 billion donation now accounts for around 7.7 percent of his net worth of <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/?sref=GaFxjgEt" target="_blank">$130 billion,</a> but even if he gave the whole amount away right now, he would still be the richest man on Earth, The New York Times pointed out. Still, his new fund is the third largest charitable pledge by an individual donor, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/17/tech/bezos-earth-fund-climate-change/index.html" target="_blank">CNN reported</a>.</p>
<p>His foray into philanthropy comes after about a year of <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/amazon-employees-climate-action-2634351319.html" target="_self">climate activism</a> on the part of Amazon employees seeking to push the company in a more Earth-friendly direction. Amazon emitted 44.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2018, according to its own figures released in September and reported by The New York Times.</p><p>"That would put them in the top 150 or 200 emitters in the world," <a href="https://www.cdp.net/en" target="_blank">CDP</a> North America President Bruno Sarda told The New York Times.</p>
<p>Also in September, Bezos unveiled an Amazon-wide Climate Pledge, promising the company would meet the goals of the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/paris-agreement" target="_self">Paris agreement</a> 10 years early and be carbon neutral by 2040. That promise was made the day before more than 1,000 Amazon employees were <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/global-climate-strike-amazon-employees-2640285733.html" target="_self">set to participate</a> in a day of global climate strikes, CNN reported.</p><p>Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ), however, want the company to go further and to stop offering cloud computing services to the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/oil-and-gas" target="_self">oil and gas</a> industry. Some <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/amazon-employees-climate-justice-threatened-2643729245.html?rebelltitem=3#rebelltitem3" target="_self">also say they were threatened</a> with being fired after speaking out on the company's climate policies.</p><p>In a statement responding to Bezos' announcement, the group applauded his philanthropy, but raised ongoing concerns about Amazon's business practices.</p>
<div id="e6973" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="P1Q9XN1582034712"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1229504930836123649" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Our statement in full:
https://t.co/X0u2KC3dWt</div> — Amazon Employees For Climate Justice (@Amazon Employees For Climate Justice)<a href="https://twitter.com/AMZNforClimate/statuses/1229504930836123649">1581971793.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>In particular, the group flagged the use of cloud computing for oil and gas exploration, the company's donations to climate-denying think tanks like the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the threat that <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/air-pollution" target="_self">air pollution</a> from diesel trucks poses to the health of children who live near Amazon warehouses and the threats of retaliation against employees who spoke out.</p><p>"As history has taught us, true visionaries stand up against entrenched systems, often at great cost to themselves," the group wrote. "We applaud Jeff Bezos' philanthropy, but one hand cannot give what the other is taking away."</p>
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Amazon and other tech employees participate in the Global Climate Strike on Sept. 20, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. Amazon Employees for Climate Justice continue to protest today. Karen Ducey / Getty Images
Hundreds of Amazon workers publicly criticized the company's climate policies Sunday, showing open defiance of the company following its threats earlier this month to fire workers who speak out on climate change.
<p>Employee activist group Amazon Employees for Climate Justice published more than 350 critical quotes from employees, all who signed with their full names and positions, in a <a href="https://newsletter.climatenexus.org/e2t/c/*W6DvWmM8RrVZvW22C9GT7lVNSM0/*W2cYV_38-4Gq1W4Xbv83397QTn0/5/f18dQhb0S82-9dK6q-N834vY8HyjJqVQZcHb7d-35RW3hHhdL5Cgxh0VnQ9Qq8-hTdQW1SdKZc5mZ50NW13mxff6hgyjzW4b_Cc81Bv9nhN5nYg0QK3LqQW2L4pRK5nJfXkW3hn4g031QQhkW4qz8vw1kc574W8q-yth5vMg46VVbMnV8wM8pPW2GFx8n2RfDKTW7t4Mgb7RS2PkW2PxsfQ2Sk3trW6Bw-Y_58R2kKW1zqjQS6B44-rN2-dppT7L8WcW5rn9FK5F_8y-W5Hsr_p5G2WvyW5_7xD425G-dKW30q8CN2kGjZwW6qQkM-8lWQWNW94q7cq6VKJl2W1hC_8g5lppDNW3Fm0S67tNd1xW7jxHjF6BDFYWW2NmvQf33tKrFW5R58Zl8WGMrDW1FPhKV2NgCChVp7Pmf787zZXVL1rTH65MM2cW4mKN_z3-JrPCW1tJ6gQ94YshYW6_9fr-5rN_2nW6B5nW42FRXbCW32fH-j3qY36qW4P7LkF6hz0s8W2bzNQY5_rBl4W52HQQ_8Xl6PNN30YnswK3R_SW2lxNhl19rcTfW7g2g3R7MgL0YN6-KDtMMgtfGW8Z7Dpm339np0W5rJ6qp6MXX_4M4ZDML2LMBkV1qCTT480M_Y103" target="_blank">Medium post</a> Sunday. Earlier this month, the group reported that several of its members had been contacted by representatives from human resources about speaking out on climate in relation to the company's external communication policy, including two employees who were warned that "violation" of the policy could result in their being fired. </p>
<p>"Amazon, the Earth is our only home," Virginie Muzereau, a data linguist, said in the Medium post. "Spend more money on fighting Climate Change than on space exploration!"</p><h4>For a deeper dive:</h4><p><a href="https://newsletter.climatenexus.org/e2t/c/*W6DvWmM8RrVZvW22C9GT7lVNSM0/*W7zPTm14gb0vBW33fn9K91TNT60/5/f18dQhb0SbTR8YHtvCN834vY8HyjJqVQZcHb7d-35RW3hHh8k2P7_nXVcnTGj98kDmwW6cc-5H7nwMJHW4WJbwn50FdTYN3TLlXGd_-RqW5wfmJH64k8yZW4XZ4Wg8rmFBxW90G7th8S3yR5VbY02S4s7X0SW1nk4sT4D5QSsW1c08qM7JCxGlW81bhDK7N_KqMW12CJpd3VKVtLW6mGYn87G222cW6pzHWB79p919W2tk5vH2z_scnW6x2RKS5-lMJcW5tl57G2pcdMTW2-F9kt4tGb5dW5PxF5V3gFHRDW41Zx4V5zGFmLW2V183d4GTn3ZW332cBV3lXgs1W3jSLrw3DWMPLW5hy76Z6SwSd2W3NWdT06vmdKCW3R688B5qCbb6W49tJXL4yykrzW6v61fr5Q_NgTW82G-VB8yRfc0MrPpMvrJh2DW904Mzk5DjW8tW4sg6JZ7nwRx9W1nyXgW2lpPhKW5mSYQ13dDlJwW9hvT5t4kdCTKW6CM9zF8Lm9XrW80NxzT3-YdVYW95X3xJ2pglVTW6vc-Z634KYpgf3mxHPH04" target="_blank">AP</a>, <a href="https://newsletter.climatenexus.org/e2t/c/*W6DvWmM8RrVZvW22C9GT7lVNSM0/*W2fzqnX14sbk0V8d7Jf5vXpqL0/5/f18dQhb0S83f9dsRLqN834vY8HyjJqVQZcHb7d-35RW3hHhdm5zh-NRVnQ9Qq8--HBkW8--ktD8YztwfW8-tSzm8W5s0yW58jf-C8Xy6ztN7vpdW4t_FPCW2P3kTm4c310qN8Wm9KGqBSWVN32q6qNqNSjBN30TNVqrzXwxW5nnpLJ4chRLkW2MDh_X1TNMDHW32HfKl7xmCflN7KcHRnbxhdgW2L4pRK5nJfdrN2MTPSyKng6qW1Wg4bj2gd99PW58jrRT7rD5VlW1mlMKh2N33B5W3_t0gL32Gf2QW4cBzLv49z-4PN2MV0XLbG0m9W8W1JLS2KSn_tW4x-xGt7zLV65W2NnQ5K4bQW_qW6c41Gz1_Cr-HW1D7QjR2Pk8KXW7rXM6M1Y9hDcN7QT1JJl8tGPW7zMf708TSsn7W4gbxzv4549cWW2Q1sR747jnsJVpCnhR4nJRXcW90ZkC11S4b57VB9T0W557GZ2W2JDZ5m54V8CDW1X0X308-hLlNW5tb4QN3dSBB7N8csGDVD2JBLW7zKF1g5D4mfJW3ctMQY6fhXJMN8kZVT0NskCzW8TbH5T8CxJC9W4Hm4wk6mC_RpW7RY4hp5Ntq-fW80XVMJ7wJB6mW9lYmGY3QzSg8VQN_Tj3p3LQTf5g74-j04" target="_blank">Recode</a>, <a href="https://newsletter.climatenexus.org/e2t/c/*W6DvWmM8RrVZvW22C9GT7lVNSM0/*W8tnxCv2p-C_TW35v5lC7T4Yt00/5/f18dQhb0S2C86_rDdyVWphn82nhynjVkWqfC2nkB4RW4x7d8B2TBFtzW7bm7317CC1dgN3KsJHhYb3phW1WbKzz1xVnFNW332jMB5jCKLkW4N8qHw1CkVfHMRzP4Sb6H0qW1Lc2c58QpFg3W4QYy8s8-ZTkPW7bJ7XK3l-1tRW53QLtl8pyxVTW3FtSpq8GWBVWVHQNC95WPqJmW40SwMW6HB_96W7mmJ3R6p3FvvN336ZPbv4XXqV4JkWx2PlgkFW1P_qJN3jBLsvW32419x5DcTc6N9bPZtBDZ3GHW3ZLcLd311y-kW3H4yv61PP4vxW3Y3Lzz2bVvThW3QwVw-1YdwHhW71W9F94cfY9YW3zDyGY4ct87kW8kjKJS8K4tgNW8xpDXs4QwkjcW8KyzzM2lHFWCW3bwCZL436BcrW4bXNJt6LMr0LW6LpkLT304GJQN7Dx2gYTXWRcW6WpKnR6zz7mMW6TQYL14WkrG6W6v3dgK38G9xDW6G1yNX6HwZ4MW83928L2spN5SW84cZMs11vXlwW4srxmR6FCD0hW4HpLzL4C6NvFW3WQjtG8rz2HsW64LPGp1Lv5TQW3QkTtt1Vvn0dW129LXl8Dx9YJW7xdSZw6JPJ9qW7hV9mS565BtJW4c30Ch3vr9vwW6qDK4T5nJcdmW3rnWks6wcH4C0" target="_blank">Washington Post</a>, <a href="https://newsletter.climatenexus.org/e2t/c/*W6DvWmM8RrVZvW22C9GT7lVNSM0/*W2HxCC94gz9fJW7-WLvr1PP4Yr0/5/f18dQhb0S65L6_rD85V1xWDj6tMdm1W1xx3QR34k39wW5xT5Jr5MFzmFW6bB1BF3V_mtkW8RtHXn92YgfcW86-QDG41bVSvW4lFc7w2Yqx1QW1t4gN71t4f4_W8yl-wD8gG7WqW6S1TC98WsPR7W7LGzqQ7dkT35W3FtmQy8jmYJrMzSBykhNBzQW7RxWPl3p6pvdN4Rw9WVJ75ZzW1RRkR81-yGcPN1nKZJCBX3mYW8yTpDY4P7J-HW2f37fk4gFh0QW7WRnld72Vt5dW4pXzth8f-p7rW6X5jpq1vNWFkVcdbtm8TCKJ1N3RxjPjNljVQVG1Vv28MVc29W8H7Myj3T1k4wW6PFc983RM9-MW1nPjGf5nskY9VsxMP_7pbGw5W18Vrt_2KQmfnW67M5dq115rJ9MpL9KfV-hj_N5-P3QhQhDCbW39004L5SbG1TW6QyWv97R0bnWW23kzFY6lMMKtW7vYk3F6Ps0hWW6xCwJF7Q0gVRW8vHVC97_XZDdW8tBdJW2QCFRFW1_13Z77-_247W2HgwzT52LhFkW3SDBCb4gG93CVZGDrC3MfscmW3DXGv45GZ2hyW9j9x6h8k6p-XW96clMX48nsT-W8L3YyC972WP_W7n6ZMs8S0m9fW4H3ZD97kvkkVW8VB0J05_cWDm102" target="_blank">Axios</a>, <a href="https://newsletter.climatenexus.org/e2t/c/*W6DvWmM8RrVZvW22C9GT7lVNSM0/*W6zhTDP5schQ5W1hJmlw8vxfh70/5/f18dQhb0S66X28_sBhSmL51J1j0fW2wJ2z31tbkwMN1MpwvZxZVjlW6d4sTf3qC8DWW1qQNN01pqSpMW61k4Y-26Vwg2VwLLY01txlpMW2TMLCY53M_PxW1F8Rpn13FYYbW7hVdSs5GhSV5N3l4Y0mvvztLW3ZNH9V35yRWpW1m7Kyw2R_7g1W6ypYYT3BpdfMW8btVLl1v-zqjN5CVfXzSv4yKW5gKs3S5K9d6zF3C04R_yrX5N2wrqdPj3tr7W60mMnL28bpMlW15LDDl6hBY2SW5VKZj72m5fXzW7VmJX21pl2rxW8d_YL57fdPnpN841wt24y7QLW6GS9Yl2pm5hxW3wSFj24VglhkW122PcP7mV_QVW7Vt9nx3y_Kp0W604ntq6pC0WqW5yj2fF3dxqJ_W97dqZ02hN8ZLW6vDsD11KyyvzW3P6qx56PBhXrW3hH62K5s8PFBW8ZyDtP8Hn3w5W75Y7NB9bbwLWW6HZk2c7fJm47W5wFX9t6kzR0DW1HP2Pf6sz7hrW3TpLZM21ZGQ4W2969-388dtRYW895MNp8Rxy55W5frYKV5HWHQpN7R0nBZV9cp4Vs3Rb689dGgVf835-rT03" target="_blank">Gizmodo</a></p><p><em>For more </em><a href="http://ecowatch.com/climate-change-news/" target="_blank"><em>climate change</em></a><em> and </em><a href="http://ecowatch.com/business/renewables/" target="_blank"><em>clean energy</em></a><em> news, you can follow Climate Nexus on </em><a href="https://twitter.com/ClimateNexus" target="_blank"><em>Twitter</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ClimateNexus/" target="_blank"><em>Facebook</em></a><em>, and sign up for daily </em><a href="http://climatenexus.us4.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=d1f5797e59060083034310930&id=7c84c08aaa" target="_blank"><em>Hot News</em></a><em>.</em></p>
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Like many other plant-based foods and products, CBD oil is one dietary supplement where "organic" labels are very important to consumers. However, there are little to no regulations within the hemp industry when it comes to deeming a product as organic, which makes it increasingly difficult for shoppers to find the best CBD oil products available on the market.
<p>Here you can learn about the importance of organic hemp oil, why it's better for the environment, and which CBD companies actually make trustworthy products with sustainable farming processes. origins which weigh heavily on many consumers who want to buy a product that's produced in the best way possible for not only themselves to ingest, but for the environment as well through sustainable farming methods. </p><h2>What Is CBD Oil?</h2><p>First things first, CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it's a cannabinoid found within cannabis sativa plants. This plant compound is believed to have many potential benefits, and it is primarily derived from hemp plants via a CO2 extraction process. </p><p>Since CBD is extracted from industrial hemp, which contains only trace amounts of THC (the psychoactive component in cannabis plants), this means that CBD won't make you feel high like marijuana, which has much higher levels of THC that causes psychoactive effects. Instead, the effects of CBD are much more subtle and promote a general sense of calm and relaxation in most users.</p><h2>What Makes a CBD Oil Organic?</h2><p>In terms of organic labels, perhaps the most important (and prominent) certification comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This government organization has been labeling foods as "organic" for many years, but what exactly does this certification entail? Essentially, a label indicating that a product is "USDA Organic" or "Certified Organic" means that at least 95% of the ingredients are obtained from organic sources.</p><p>For a crop to be considered organic by the USDA, it must be grown without the use of industrial solvents, irradiation, genetic engineering (GMOs), synthetic pesticides, or chemical fertilizer. Instead, farmers rely on natural substances and <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mechanical, physical, or biologically based farming</a> techniques to cultivate healthy and organic crops.</p><p>Before the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, no hemp-derived products could be dubbed as "certified organic" since the hemp plant and its extracts were still categorized as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. However, it's still difficult for CBD companies to obtain a USDA certified organic label for their products due to the legal grey area that still surrounds CBD extracts. </p><p>Because of these challenges, and due to the fact that industrial hemp has only recently become an agricultural crop, very few CBD oils are USDA certified organic. Rather, many CBD products contain hemp extracts from plants that were grown in organic conditions but may not be federally certified.</p><h2>What are the Best Organic CBD Oil Brands?</h2><p><em>Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.</em></p><em><br></em>
<h2>Why Organic Hemp Oil Matters</h2><p>Hemp is a unique plant, not only for its rich cannabinoid content, but also for its ability to absorb a wide variety of components in soil. But this trait poses great risks when it comes to the creation of CBD products derived from hemp.</p><p>Because hemp has a high capacity for compound uptake, this means that the plants can retain <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/industry/lab-test-results/" target="_blank">harmful chemicals like pesticides</a>, heavy metals, and other residual solvents. This is especially true when it comes to synthetic chemicals that are more toxic to humans, and difficult to remove once they have been absorbed by the hemp plant.</p><p>Organic farming practices help reduce the risk of hemp crops absorbing harsh chemicals that may later end up in CBD oil after extraction. When you're taking CBD as a wellness supplement to help alleviate your symptoms or improve your overall well-being, the last thing you want is to ingest compounds that might negatively outweigh the benefits of CBD. This is an important reason to look for third party lab test results when shopping for CBD products since these certificates of analysis can show the full cannabinoid and terpene profile of a hemp extract, as well as test results that search for the presence of any residual solvents.</p><p>In addition to creating a better end product, organic farming practices are also better for the environment. Sustainable and organic farming methods may <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy</a>. The use of natural pest deterrents as opposed to chemical pesticides is also better for nearby animal populations and ecosystems.</p><h3>Organic vs. Natural</h3><p>While there are only a select few companies offering certified organic ingredients in their products, almost every brand in the CBD market creates "natural" products. The term "all-natural" or "plant-based" does not mean that a product is organic, and since hemp oil is a natural derivative of hemp plants, these products are often referred to as all-natural. However, there are some synthetic CBD oils that should be avoided because they are chemically constructed and may produce unwanted side effects that are not caused by naturally derived CBD extracts.</p><h2>What are the Benefits of Organic CBD Oil?</h2><p>There's a long list of potential CBD oil health benefits, and some of the most common wellness advantages include:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/" target="_blank">Chronic pain relief</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/" target="_blank">Anti-anxiety effects</a></li><li>Better sleep</li><li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inner-source/201901/cbd-oil-mental-health-should-you-take-it-too" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Improvements in mood</a></li><li>Internal balance and regulation</li></ul><p>When dealing with pain, inflammation, sleep issues, and mental health struggles, it can be hard to find sufficient treatment options. The use of certain prescriptions can cause unwanted side effects, yet they are often the only solution for patients with these medical conditions. In search of other therapies, people have started to flock towards CBD oil as an alternative remedy for a variety of conditions. However, it should be noted that CBD products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and you should seek your doctor's advice before using CBD if you have a serious medical condition.</p><h2>Look at the Labels Before You Buy CBD Oil</h2><p>When you go online to buy CBD oil, you'll quickly realize there is an overwhelming number of brands that are saturating the market. It can be difficult to determine which products are truly as good as they make themselves out to be. Always look for up-to-date third-party lab tests so you know you are getting a great product, and don't hesitate to contact the brand if you have any additional questions. And if you're intent on purchasing 100% organic CBD oil, it's best to look for certified products or brands that are held to strict regulatory standards.</p><p><strong>Melena Gurganus </strong>is the Reviews Editor at EcoWatch. She is passionate health and wellness and her writing aims to help others find products they can trust. Her work has been featured in publications such as Health, Shape, Huffington Post, Cannabis Business Times, and Bustle.<br></p>
Spruce
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjI3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTM2NzgzOX0.axY0HjeqRctJsR_KmDLctzDpUBLBN-oNIdqaXDb4caQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="774be" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8379f35b1ca8a86d0e61b7d4bfc8b46e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="spruce organic cbd oil" data-width="710" data-height="959" /><p>As one of the best brands in the business, Spruce CBD is well-known for its potent CBD oils that feature many additional beneficial phytocannabinoids. This brand works with two family-owned, sustainably focused farms in the USA (one located in Kentucky and one in North Carolina) to create its organic, small product batches. The max potency Spruce CBD oil contains 2400mg of full-spectrum CBD extract, but the brand also offers a lower strength tincture with 750mg of CBD in total.</p>
$89
CBDistillery
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjkzNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMTU4OTM4Nn0.ypRdeDSBcE87slYrFfVrRwtJ2qGIK6FD5jBB4pndTMo/img.jpg?width=980" id="b473b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9930b53c9d58cb49774640a61c3e3e75" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="cbdistillery cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>All of the products from CBDistillery are <a href="https://ushempauthority.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S. Hemp Authority Certified</a>, and for good reason. The company only uses non-GMO and pesticide-free industrial hemp that's grown organically on Colorado farms. Its hemp oils are some of the most affordable CBD products on the market, yet they still maintain a high standard of quality. CBDistillery has a wide variety of CBD potencies across its product line (ranging from 500mg to 5000mg per bottle) and offers both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils to give customers a completely thc-free option.</p>
$35
FAB CBD
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDIwOTEyMn0.MlTjz096FJ0ev_-soK7_Z-FeQeJczWoeh9Qi9SSkHsY/img.jpg?width=980" id="04b26" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="76aa4862f44603242e318982acea6646" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="fab cbd oil" data-width="800" data-height="800" /><p>For an organic CBD oil that has it all, FAB CBD offers plenty of variety for any type of consumer. All of its products are made with zero pesticides and extracted from organically grown Colorado industrial hemp. FAB CBD oil comes in five all-natural flavors (mint, vanilla, berry, citrus, and natural) and is also available in four strengths (300, 600, 1200, and 2400mg per bottle).</p>
$39
NuLeaf Naturals
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIxOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzExNTgyMX0.D6qMGYllKTsVhEkQ-L_GzpDHVu60a-tJKcio7M1Ssmc/img.jpg?width=980" id="94e4a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3609a52479675730893a45a82a03c71d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="nuleaf naturals organic cbd oil" data-width="600" data-height="600" /><p>As an industry-leading brand, it comes as no surprise that NuLeaf Naturals sources its CBD extract from organic hemp plants grown on licensed farms in Colorado. The comany's CBD oils only contain two ingredients: USDA certified organic hemp seed oil and full spectrum hemp extract.</p><p>NuLeaf Naturals uses one proprietary CBD oil formula for all of its products, so you will get the same CBD potency in each tincture (60mg per mL), but can purchase different bottle sizes depending on how much you intend to use.</p>
$38.50
Charlotte's Web
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjk3NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzQ0NjM4N30.SaQ85SK10-MWjN3PwHo2RqpiUBdjhD0IRnHKTqKaU7Q/img.jpg?width=980" id="84700" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a2174067dcc0c4094be25b3472ce08c8" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="charlottes web cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>Perhaps one of the most well-known brands in the CBD landscape, Charlotte's Web has been growing sustainable hemp plants for several years. The company is currently in the process of achieving official USDA Organic Certification, but it already practices organic and sustainable cultivation techniques to enhance the overall health of the soil and the hemp plants themselves, which creates some of the highest quality CBD extracts. Charlotte's Web offers CBD oils in a range of different concentration options, and some even come in a few flavor options such as chocolate mint, orange blossom, and lemon twist.</p>
$60
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Amazon Employees for Climate Justice march to demand that leaders take action on climate change in Seattle, Washington on Sept. 20, 2019. JASON REDMOND / AFP / Getty Images
Amazon employees who speak out about the climate crisis say they have been threatened with firing.
<p>Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ) said Thursday that the company's legal and HR teams had questioned some of their members about public statements they had made urging Amazon to take <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-action" rel="noopener noreferrer">climate action</a>. Some also received emails saying they would be fired if they continued to speak up.</p><p><em>[<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/amazon-employees-climate-change-2638774171.html?rebelltitem=2#rebelltitem2" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read about Amazon employees who want the company to act on climate</a>.]</em></p>
<div id="ef0df" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="Y6ZF0O1578066434"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1212777102270820353" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">We must be able to speak up. Here is our press response to Amazon’s intimidation tactics. 3/ https://t.co/7DqhCw09Yf</div> — Amazon Employees For Climate Justice (@Amazon Employees For Climate Justice)<a href="https://twitter.com/AMZNforClimate/statuses/1212777102270820353">1577983568.0</a></blockquote></div><p>"It was scary to be called into a meeting like that, and then to be given a follow-up email saying that if I continued to speak up, I could be fired," user experience principal designer Maren Costa, one of the targeted employees, told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jan/02/amazon-threatened-fire-employees-speaking-out-climate-change-workers-say?fbclid=IwAR0uUXU8dIwCZIbb_VpB_YtCUf_iKFvXOnlWOVfx5Xk7Lff-bkc_Hn7TkLw" target="_blank">The Guardian</a>. "But I spoke up because I'm terrified by the harm the climate crisis is already causing, and I fear for my children's future. Any policy that says I can't talk about something that is a threat to my children – all children – is a problem for me."</p><p>Costa said she was one of four employees who had been questioned and one of two threatened with firing.</p><p>Costa had spoken to The Washington Post in October about how Amazon's cloud computing helps with <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/oil-and-gas">oil and gas</a> exploration, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/01/02/amazon-threatens-fire-outspoken-employee-critics-its-environmental-policies/" target="_blank">the paper reported</a>. She was called into a meeting to discuss her comments that month, and then received an email saying she had violated the company's external communications policy and that any future violation could "result in formal corrective action, up to and including termination of your employment with Amazon," according to The Washington Post.</p>
<p>Jamie Kowalski, who also spoke to The Washington Post with Costa in October, received a similar message. Employee Emily Cunningham was separately told she had violated Amazon policies by speaking to reporters and on social media.</p><p>AECJ said that Amazon had updated its communications policy one day after the group announced it would <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/global-climate-strike-amazon-employees-2640285733.html">participate in the Global Climate Strike Sept. 20, 2019</a>. The updated policy requires employees to get prior approval before speaking publicly about the company while identified as an employee.</p><p>"Amazon's newly updated communications policy is having a chilling effect on workers who have the backbone to speak out and challenge Amazon to do better," software engineer Victoria Liang said in a statement reported by The Guardian. "This policy is aimed at silencing discussion around publicly available information. It has nothing to do with protecting confidential data, which is covered by a completely different set of policies."</p><p>Amazon countered that the new policy had been in development since spring and was not intended to target any group of employees.</p><p>"Our policy regarding external communications is not new and, we believe, is similar to other large companies," a company spokesperson told The Guardian. "We recently updated the policy and related approval process to make it easier for employees to participate in external activities such as speeches, media interviews, and use of the company's logo. As with any company policy, employees may receive a notification from our HR team if we learn of an instance where a policy is not being followed."</p>
<p>The earlier policy had required employees to get email permission from senior vice presidents before talking to the press, but was not often enforced with activists, The Washington Post reported. The new policy introduced an intranet page employees could use to get permission from lower-level executives before speaking publicly. Approval can take up to two weeks and requires a "business justification."</p><p>AECJ burst onto the scene in <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/amazon-employees-climate-action-2634351319.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1" target="_self">April of last year</a> with an open letter urging the company to adopt climate policies such as halving <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/emissions" rel="noopener noreferrer">emissions</a> by 2030, phasing out <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/fossil-fuels" rel="noopener noreferrer">fossil fuel</a> use and compensating employees impacted by <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/extreme-weather" rel="noopener noreferrer">extreme weather </a>events. The <a href="https://medium.com/@amazonemployeesclimatejustice/public-letter-to-jeff-bezos-and-the-amazon-board-of-directors-82a8405f5e38" target="_blank">letter</a> was eventually signed by 8,703 employees.</p><p>The employees also tried and <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/amazon-climate-change-resolution-2637862790.html" target="_self">failed</a> to push through a shareholder resolution calling for climate action.</p><p>However, a day before September's <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-strike" rel="noopener noreferrer">climate strike</a>, CEO <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/Jeff-Bezos" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jeff Bezos</a> announced the company would be entirely powered by <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/renewable-energy" rel="noopener noreferrer">renewable energy</a> by 2030 and would be carbon neutral by 2040, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50953719" target="_blank">BBC News reported</a>.</p><p>AECJ said it would continue to push the company to take action, despite Bezos' promises and HR's threats. The employee activists are calling for the company to stop facilitating oil and gas exploration with its cloud computing and to stop donating to <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/climate-denier" rel="noopener noreferrer">climate denying</a> politicians. They also want it to pursue carbon neutrality by 2030, not 2040.</p><p>"Amazon's policy is not going to stop the momentum tech workers have built over the past year at Amazon," data engineer Justin Campbell said in a statement reported by The Guardian. "The climate crisis is the greatest challenge we face, and the only way we can find solutions is by protecting people's right to speak freely and disrupting the status quo."</p>
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