Matt Damon stars in Christopher Nolan’s cinematic adaptation of the classic story “The Odyssey,” making it one of the summer’s most anticipated films. Beyond his on-screen role, Damon is using the film’s buzz to shed light on his long-standing passion for water advocacy. However, some have raised concerns about the corporate partners involved in his charity initiative.
As the co-founder of the non-profit organization Water.org, Damon is championing a new fundraising campaign called Get Blue, in collaboration with companies like Starbucks, Gap, and Amazon. These partnerships have faced scrutiny due to their significant water usage, particularly Amazon, which consumes vast amounts of water to cool its data centers, potentially serving communities in need of water resources.
Water.org, founded by Damon and CEO Gary White in 2009, has impacted 92 million lives by providing microcredit loans to enhance water access in developing regions. The Get Blue initiative aims to raise funds through product partnerships, with companies like Gap and Starbucks contributing a portion of sales to the cause.
While Damon was unavailable for immediate comment on the partnership choices, Water.org emphasized that companies with high water usage can play a pivotal role in addressing water crises. The charity highlighted the positive impact of Amazon’s support, which has contributed to improving water access for over 1.25 million people through microfinancing.
Amazon’s extensive water consumption for data center cooling has drawn attention, with the company disclosing the use of approximately 9.5 billion liters of water in 2025. Efforts to enhance water efficiency include recycling water and implementing engineering changes to reduce consumption. Additionally, tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have been constructing data centers in water-scarce regions, raising concerns about water sustainability.
Experts caution against demonizing data centers entirely, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach between the benefits of technology and water conservation. Water.org’s Get Blue campaign serves as a platform for corporations to support water initiatives, providing consumers with a way to contribute positively. Consumers can also play a role in water conservation by reevaluating their technology usage, especially concerning water-intensive tools like generative AI.
Ultimately, the collaboration between Water.org and corporate partners aims to raise awareness and funding for water access initiatives, highlighting the importance of responsible corporate social responsibility efforts in addressing global water challenges.