Billionaire Richard Branson has posted images on Twitter that show post-Irma damage to his island, Necker, as well as other surrounding islands. He's working on getting aid to the British Virgin Islands, which were wiped out by Irma.
"Necker damage huge, but BVI #Irma story is not about Necker – about 1000s of people who've lost homes & livelihoods" he says in one tweet.
Necker damage huge, but BVI #Irma story is not about Necker – about 1000s of people who've lost homes & livelihoods https://t.co/0USuxvk1dS pic.twitter.com/BaUpvJ22pv
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) September 10, 2017
On his Virgin Group website, he blames climate change for the recent weather catastrophes. "Man-made climate change is contributing to increasingly strong hurricanes causing unprecedented damage. The whole world should be scrambling to get on top of the climate change issue before it is too late – for this generation, let alone the generations to come."
And according to Mashable:
This isn't the first time Branson's called for urgent action on climate change. After President Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord, Branson spoke out against the decision, for himself and for other business leaders, and pledged to continue fighting global warming in the private sector.
In addition to combatting climate change, Branson's repeated emphasis on helping the victims of Hurricane Irma is well taken. Many Virgin Island residents are banking on social media to spread word of the damage, and marshal as much aid as possible.
Branson has a link to his Virgin Money Giving donation page to help supply food, shelter and water to those living on the islands.
.@virginunite coordinating aid to local BVI families & communities affected by Hurricane #Irma.Please donate to help https://t.co/0USuxvk1dS pic.twitter.com/QdbWHLBJVI
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) September 10, 2017
Mobilising BVI recovery with govs & aid agencies, then heading back to BVI to continue recovery effort on the ground https://t.co/0USuxvk1dS pic.twitter.com/2SZ3YjCxqK
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) September 10, 2017
BVI needs a "Disaster Recovery Marshall Plan” after #Irma – short-term aid & long-term recovery & revitalisation https://t.co/0USuxvk1dS pic.twitter.com/pFzsStZBjN
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) September 11, 2017