Everyone uses the environment in some way or another, and I’m pretty certain we might need it to be in good health for the future… Based on the inspirational stories we’ve heard this year, it’s clear there are a lot of businesses making a difference by giving back. In order to make a clear statement about things they care about, businesses do cool things like make products you can buy, consult you on how to run your company better, or address water sustainability issues, and then “vote” with their 1% donation.

For some reason, whenever a company gives back to society or the environment, it reminds me of the ancient Greek value of Reciprocity. Maybe it’s because that was one of Homer’s teachings I actually remember, or maybe it was just really impactful stuff – giving and receiving; a mutual exchange. Regardless, we’re so excited to welcome two new member companies who have embraced this ancient Homeric/Greek value. 

Water Futures is a progressive, woman-owned consulting venture. They have decades of experience finding innovative solutions to one of the planet’s most pressing problems – the quest for sustainable water. They believe that water is a common resource and should be allocated in a way that provides for thriving aquatic ecosystems, clean and adequate drinking water, and healthy agricultural communities. Started and currently run by environmental scientist, educator and water-obsessed adventurer Wendy J. Pabich, Water Futures has bright things to look forward to. Check out her new book!

Sustainability Consult, also a consulting company, has pledged to donate 1% of its revenue to an approved 1% for the Planet partner! Sustainability Consult is a dynamic PR and environmental communications consultancy based in Brussels, Belgium and operates globally. They provide support and strategic counseling in the environmental, cleantech, energy and renewable chemical sectors. CEO Kathryn Sheridan believes in the power of businesses to build a better future.

Well, here at 1% for the Planet, we do too. Thanks so much to Water Futures and Sustainability Consult for your 1% commitment!

“Being part of 1% for the Planet has been the best choice ever!”  That is how 14 OCHOMILES started off an email to us after becoming a member. This is exactly the type of enthusiasm we love to hear! 14 OCHOMILES is an outdoor gear company based in Colombia, who focuses on recovering and conserving the environment. They sell climbing and mountaineering clothing, along with bikes and basically every other outdoor accessory you can think of!

14 OCHOMILES strongly believes that people need to get outside and connect with the natural world. They encourage people to do so by supplying high quality products that allow people to have fun while being outside. 14 OCHOMILES sells equipment from companies such as, Vaude, Santini, Dahon, La Sportiva, Ortlieb, Victorinox and 1% member Klean Kanteen! They promote the use of products that somehow support the environment, whether they are made from recycled or natural materials, or donate money to environmental causes. We are thrilled to have a new member from Colombia who is so excited to support a good cause. They believe that people need to face the current environmental situation, and do something about it, otherwise natural resources, forests, mountains, natural parks and everything that makes us feel alive will be eliminated.  Check out their website to get some awesome adventure gear!

Humboldt Pet Supply is one of our new members from the great state of California. As the owners are active volunteers with our non-profit partner, the Humboldt Wildlife Care Center, a large portion of their 1% donation will go directly to them. As this company grows, they hope to donate to other organizations including the Environmental Protection Information Center, who works to protect and restore ancient forests, watersheds, coastal estuaries, and native species in Northern California.

Humboldt Pet Supply recognizes the beauty and fragility of the planet. They are doing their ultimate best to tread lightly in every aspect of the company. They strive to recognize every impact they make in their energy use, conservation, packaging, purchasing, shipping and of course their lifestyle. This philosophy is intrinsic to running their business and living a healthy and productive life. They view their business as a gateway to helping what they hold most dear to them, the planet and all of the creatures that inhabit it! They do this by selling high quality, responsibly made pet products. Check out their website to buy things for your furry friends. These products include food, treats and toys like these…

We’re excited to welcome these two new members to our team and proud of the support they are giving to our natural world by both supplying responsibly made products and now by donating a portion of their sales to environmental groups! Good work!

Although septic systems can be smelly, they’re necessary if you don’t have access to sewer pipes. Septic tanks work something like this, and if not properly taken care of, sewage can make its way into the water table.  Sewage is full of nitrates and phosphates that can cause eutrophication – or an overload of nutrients. Over time this eutrophication leads to hypoxia, or the creation of anoxic dead zones in marine ecosystems.

Since 1998, Heal the Ocean, a 1% for the Planet partner, has focused on ridding 7 miles of beach and 171 homes on the Santa Barbara coast of their septic systems. The beach starts at Rincon Point, a world-class surfing destination, and continues up the coast to Sand Point and Sandyland, much of which is sandwiched between the ocean and a saltwater marsh.

Thanks to Patagonia, Jack Johnson, Certis Capital Management, and Betty Belts, Heal the Ocean was able to spearhead the septic-to-sewer conversion of the 171 homes. According to Heal the Ocean’s executive director Hillary Hauser, the organization’s pride and joy of its environmental work is actual infrastructure replacement and/or upgrade that removes or reduces sources of ocean pollution.

Happily, construction of the sewer lines is expected to start sometime this year following a long, hard fought battle where 1% is happy to have played a role. Congratulations to Heal the Ocean!

P.S. – After our third water test, we’re clean! The test came back negative for coliform and ecoli! Thanks Hurricane Irene.

Four Crows Photography is dedicated capturing the beauty of the natural world that surrounds us, and those moments of serenity that too often go unnoticed in the frantic pace of daily life. Photographer Dave Mangels launched Four Crows with the mission to practice mindful photography, as well as contributing back to the planet in which inspires him.  Shedding his life in a cubicle and armed with a camera and an amazing eye, these photographs capture the majesty and beauty of the world that we strive to protect.

“As someone launching a new business, I thought it was vital to build an ethical and moral foundation to Four Crows Photography. My participation in 1% For The Planet is an essential way to demonstrate my commitment to the environmental causes that are so important to my artistic inspiration. Four Crows Photography plans to support a variety of causes as it grows, but foremost among them will be the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance for its work defending the Redrock wilderness, and the Trustees of the Reservation for its preservation of open spaces in my home state of Massachusetts.”

1% also welcomes PolarPillow to our family. As a person who is all-too-familiar with erratic sleep patterns and insomnia, I was fascinated to learn more about this company and what it offers for people who cope with the same issues.

PolarPillow is an award-winning cooling pillow that uses specialized gel technology to generate coolness. By bringing science-based innovation to the pillow market, the company aims to help its customers sleep better and live healthier. The pillow itself is kept cool, which in turn promotes a better and more restful night of sleep.

The PolarPillow team has joined the 1% movement to demonstrate their belief that the health of the planet is critical for entrepreneurship to thrive. PolarPillow has identified Philippe Cousteau’s EarthEcho International as its first beneficiary. EarthEcho creates programs that empower youth to restore and protect our oceans.

From breathtaking natural photography to pillows that help people rest better and promote health, our members continue to be as diverse as the planet that we share. Aligned by their dedication to protecting the world around us, we welcome these amazing companies to our 1% family and are so happy to have you!

United by Design is a graphic design agency that has always made it a priority to donate a portion of their sales to local and national environmental non-profits, so they are thrilled to be part of the 1% movement!  Although it is a small company, they know that by donating to certain land trusts and organizations, they are able to make a positive change in their region.  They have embraced the notion that the sustainability of the natural environment is fundamental to the sustainability of business. United by Design plans on actively encouraging their friends, clients and suppliers to join 1% for the Planet so there will be even more resources donated to local environmental non-profits in the York region.  Thanks for spreading the word!

Although we have a number of surf-related members, this one is truly unique!  Wavegarden UK, is a project that appeals to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. They hope people will interact more with both each other and the natural world. It uses cutting edge wave making technology to create a very exciting inland surfing facility, like no other. The facility will include beautiful botanical gardens, which provide a socially inclusive space for fun, reflection and rehabilitation. The project is partly community invested and the core activities are supported by community based projects. The owners, Nick Hounsfield and Tobin Coles hope to finish this facility in 2013 so that the whole community will have a fun place to play and relax!

Still, it’s hard to feel hopeless when you see people coming together to create the change we need so desperately. Yesterday, when news that the Keystone XL pipeline was once again a threat, 1% for the Planet nonprofit partner 350.org mobilized more than 800,000 people in just 24 hours to send Congress an emphatic NO. The message couldn’t have been clearer.

Last night Bill McKibben had the spotlight on The Colbert Report—check it out if you haven’t seen it yet.

The motivation that gets 800,000 to coalesce around something they care so deeply about is the same energy that motivates businesses to be part of the solution—they’re working hard to create a world that we all want to live in.

In the past two weeks we’ve seen another 16 companies sign on to 1% for the Planet. Our most recent new members are AdventSure, Alisma, Barbara Grant Consulting Group, BeeFlow, BIG Green Island Transportation, Eco-Armour, Executive Property Management, IPR Coaching, Kiyomo, Miquel MAXIME, Neat-os, Peaked Sports, Toast, Trendfinder Trading Systems, Wavergarden UK and Starbars—a warm welcome and many thanks from the crew at 1%!

Lazer, established and headquarted in Belgium, has been designing brain-cages since 1919. Ever heard of a guy named Eddy Merckx? Maybe not, but Lazer teamed up with “the Cannibal” in 1987 and developed the first specific hard shell bicycle helmet. Essentially, they’ve been innovating for almost a century and keep expanding their reach into new markets.

With the launch of its new Lazer Snow Helmets, Lazer has partnered with Protect our Winters to raise awareness about climate change. Together they will work to create programs that engage the wintersports community around an issue that dramatically affects our enjoyment of the mountains and the future of the snowsports industry.

Although Lazer snow helmets are not yet available to consumers, Lazer is starting its support of POW from day one of the new products, and in conjunction with the launch of the entire snow helmet collection at the Snowsports Industries of America Snow Show in Denver. Hans Dyhrman, Director of Marketing for Lazer Snow states, “Even though we are a new brand in the snowsport business, we feel it is important to take a leadership role within the industry, and this is one of our actions.” Woah, keep track of these mold breakers, they’re going places – albeit safely.

Squam Art Workshops is a creative center that started on the shores of Squam Lake in New Hampshire. Better known simply as “Squam”, this retreat attracts people who want to take a break from the daily grind and need a chance to catch their breath and enjoy life. During the scheduled retreats, they offer tons of different art, cooking and yoga classes.  They are planning a Squam trip to Italy (!!) this fall and are hoping  to schedule more of these in years to come! If you’re looking to relax and spend some time reconnecting with your creative side, you should sign up for a Squam retreat. Also, check out their store to see what is for sale this month!

We are also excited to welcome Peace Tree Apparel, based nearby in Massachusetts! Peace Tree Apparel’s mission is to create t-shirts and accessories that inspire everyone to be good to the world we all share. On a personal level, they strive to maintain family practices that are good for the earth and it is also important for them to incorporate these same practices into their business.  Check out their online store to buy some comfortable t-shirts and accessories and to learn more about their t-parties!

New Belgium :30 from 1% for the Planet on Vimeo.

Over the past two summers in Washington State, The Lands Council has been saving and moving wildlife from potentially harmful situations. One recent story involved relocating a beaver family from under human foot in Spokane to their new home in the Colville National Forest.

Supported through donations from 1% member Patagonia, The Lands Council has successfully and safely relocated almost 40 beavers, moving them into areas where they are able to do as nature intended – build dams that assist in water storage and late-season flow, water filtration and that cater to the restoration of native riparian species.

This compassionate work is another amazing story proving that even 1% of positive action can have a major effect for the planet, and for our furry friends that we share it with. Like the stone thrown that produces a ripple effect in the water, these actions contribute to a positive change that is immeasurable.

Thank you Amanda Swan for sharing this uplifting moment with our network, and keep up the amazing work!