As a way to support the environmental movement, Patagonia announced that 100% of their Black Friday sales would be donated to grassroots environmental groups. Black Friday sales from Patagonia.com and 80 of their stores worldwide is estimated to be over $2 million USD.
Inspiration for the Big Black Friday Donation
According to Lisa Pike Sheehy, Patagonia’s vice president of environmental activism, the Black Friday idea was sparked after the recent U.S. presidential election. Sheehy believes that during these difficult and divisive times in the United States, environmental values can be a way to unite the country. She believes that “the environment is something we can all come together on [and] environmental values are something we all embrace.”
Hopefully the Black Friday effort can help spark a wider environmental movement to protect the natural resources that are often taken for granted. Patagonia’s CEO, Rose Marcario, acknowledges that “[t]he threats facing our planet affect people of every political stripe, of every demographic, in every part of the country”. Instead of donating their Black Friday sales to just one organization, they’re donating the money to almost 800 organizations worldwide and within the United States.
Patagonia’s Commitment to Environmental Protection
Patagonia is a company that focuses on Corporate Responsibility (CR) to their customers, employees, communities and the environment. They consider both social and environmental responsibility in their business practices. The company’s mission statement is to “[b]uild the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”
Patagonia is a great example of a business that’s committed to environmental values. Their donations to environmental organizations is not a one-time ordeal, but rather a daily commitment. They give 1% of their daily global sales to grassroots environmental groups that are committed to protecting natural resources such as water, air and soil. In their latest fiscal year their donation amounted to $7.1 million. According to Corley Kenna, Patagonia’s director of global communications, the company made the pledge to donate in 1985.
Another way they contribute to the environmental movement is by giving out environmental grants and organizing Tools Conferences. For over 20 years they’ve been training grassroots activists to improve their activism strategies. Patagonia also launches environmental campaigns such as promoting “localism”, coastal protection from oil pipelines, and dam removal. Working for Patagonia also has many benefits and opportunities for environmental activism. Patagonia has an Environmental Internship Program, annual 5K Salmon Run in Ventura County, California, Bike-to-Work Week advocacy, conservation efforts in the Chilean Patagonia, the Miracle Grants Program, and a Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day.
They also rely on corporate partnership to help boost their company’s environmental efforts and policies. Patagonia’s corporate partners include: B Lab, bluesign System, The Conservation Alliance, Fair Factories Clearinghouse (FFC), Fair Labor Association (FLA), OIA Eco Working Group, 1% for the Planet, Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and Textile Exchange.
Call to Action
To help protect the planet, we must stand up for it in any way we can. Environmental activism can come in many forms. We can stand up for the planet by joining campaigns, protesting, educating others on environmental issues, keeping nature spaces clean and supporting businesses that prioritize environmental values.
Patagonia is a business to be admired for its commitment to environmental and social justice values. They can help inspire other businesses to follow their commitment to Corporate Responsibility. Because of the many environmental issue we face, it’s important for businesses to take steps towards a more sustainable future. Patagonia shows us that in this day and age it’s possible for businesses to protect people and the planet, while also making a profit.
As individuals and consumers it’s also important to be conscious of the products we buy and the businesses we choose to support. Be sure to research businesses to see if they are environmental socially responsible enterprises. Researching products before purchasing them can also help guide you in making responsible decisions. There are many companies that focus more on making a profit rather than protecting the environment. As consumers we have purchasing power that can be a way to showcase environmental values.
Like Patagonia, we need to commit to environmental values and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, defend the Earth’s resources, and veer away dirty technologies. Both the natural environment and humans are at risk as the world experiences this environmental crisis. Like Patagonia, we must continually find ways to take part in environmental efforts, whether locally, nationally, or globally. We must take charge of our global citizenship and stand up for the Earth that provides us with everything we need to survive.