Patagonia: Yvon Chouinard wrote to 1% for the Planet

To coincide with Earth Day, International Earth Day, Yvon Chouinard – founder of the Patagonia outdoor brand – wrote an inspirational letter addressed to members of the 1% for the Planet movement 1% for the Planet

Yvon Chouinard wrote an inspirational letter addressed to members of the 1% for the Planet movement to motivate them, at this time of global crisis due to the health emergency, to keep their guard up on the equally obvious problems that afflict our planet.

Since 1985, Patagonia has devoted 1% of its sales to protecting and restoring the natural environment. More than $89 million in cash and in-kind donations have gone to environmental activist groups, both nationally and internationally, who work to make a difference in their local communities. In 2002, Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, created a non-profit organization to encourage other companies to do the same.

1% for the Planet is an alliance of companies that understand the need to protect the environment. These companies are aware that profits and losses are directly related to the health of the environment and are concerned about the social and environmental impact of the industry in which they operate.

By allocating 1% of their annual net sales to groups of environmental activists, members of 1% for the Planet have the opportunity to make a real difference. And they benefit from other advantages: the satisfaction of spreading greater corporate responsibility in the business community and the recognition, support and protection of conscientious consumers who value a serious commitment to the environment.

The text of Yvon Chouinard’s letter:

“I have never celebrated Earth Day. I always thought that all that attention in one day distracted us from the need to act for the planet every day.

But these are extraordinary times. This pandemic clearly shows us that if we postpone what needs to be done, the situation will turn against us. We have known for a long time that there would be a global pandemic and we have done nothing. We have known for decades about global warming and we have done nothing. We must choose to act.

The members and non-profit partners of 1% for the Planet have made this choice. And during this time it is not easy, but it is the right thing to do. When Patagonia has faced difficult times in the past, like the one we are in now, the last thing we would never give up is our 1%. That is the cost of doing business on this planet. It is not philanthropy, it is an absolute necessity for us who live on Earth. It’s the opposite of doing nothing.

It’s just as important that we stick together. One lesson I’ve learned is that this pandemic is surely confirming that we are not isolated. The problems we are facing now need to be addressed on a global basis and can only be solved by people who work together and stay together in difficulty, like everyone in the 1% for the Planet community.

So stay there, stay on course and remember that this community is important at these anomalous times and at all other times.