Q: What do a farmer, a brewery, a musician, a couple of fly-fishermen and a custom bike builder all have in common? A: The planet. They all know that without it, the creativity, craftsmanship, travel, talent and fruits of the earth all wouldn’t be possible.

Next Q: What do these people all do about it? We are pleased to reveal the answer in our first 1% for the Planet short film, due out early this fall. For a tickle, check out a clip on our newly revamped YouTube Page or through the linked photo above.

Translation: I was cut down to make this poster, the least you could do was read it. Companies use natural resources. It is inevitable. The association 1% for the Planet encourages companies to give 1% of their sales to the protection of the environment.

Oui oui mon cherie, c’est vrai! We are pleased to share that with MediaTransports in France 1% for the Planet has 400 placements of the above creative in the Paris Métro posted now and up for as long as possible.

With such a reach into Europe’s second busiest metro system and a city that hosts an estimated 45 million tourists a year, we are honored to have this opportunity to encourage our global momentum and to highlight our 69 members in France on their home turf.  

With our offices in Vermont, USA, we are sorry we won’t be seeing these posters but encourage those who do to take a snapshot and share with us all by posting on our Facebook Page.

To MediaTransports for their support, to our volunteer Caroline in France for her dedicated work, to our French members for their passion, and to all for spreading the word about 1% for the Planet across this very special globe, merci beaucoup!

We are more than delighted to share that Clif Bar & Company will be hosting a 1% for the Planet Happy Hour at the Summer Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City this week. Terry our CEO and Melody our VP will be in house to unveil a teaser of our new film due out this summer, there will be New Belgium Brewing bike bells for the first 50 attendees and co-branded Clif Bar/ 1% pint glasses to go with the free local brew.

We’ll also have more-than-amazing giveaways from exhibiting members to highlight their participation and commitment. Invitations to enter your name into the drawing at the event can be picked up at member booths – Clif Bar & Company – #8020, Patagonia – #13027, Patagonia Footwear – #13043, Repreve - #62021, Mountain Khakis – #22013, Sigg – #10046, Klean Kanteen – #52, Bronwen - #88, Elemental Herbs -#BR 417, Point6 – #BR 703, and Locals Have More Fun – #BR 506.

Aside from the free beer and member giveaways, know we’ll have a wonderful attendance of true change agents in the Outdoor Retailer space. We encourage you to rally your friends and join our members and friends so we all can meet, network, and learn how you can get involved with the charging momentum of the 1% for the Planet movement! A very Happy Hour indeed . . . . we look forward to seeing you there!

Our good friends in Hermosa Beach, California, are hosting a phenomenal beach party in honor of our planet – and to benefit 1% for the Planet. You’re invited!

At 12 noon the Hermosa Beach Green Expo opens along the pier. Exhibitors will give you the opportunity to learn what strides this community is making in encouraging their local businesses to make a commitment to the planet, and how you can help!

Be sure to stick around for 6 pm as all are welcome to boogie down to the California reggae vibes of Rebelution, all to support 1% for the Planet with the Hermosa Beach community!

It’s a FREE show– and is going to be a rocking day on a stunning stretch of Southern California beach. Including booths with green goods and services, environmental non-profits, and a blowout music concert to boot- this party is surely one not to be missed!

Mark your calendars for Sunday, July 26th and do swing by the 1% for the Planet booth to say hello – we look forward to seeing you there!

The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) shares a first-look at results from its annual philanthropy survey of nearly 140 leading companies, revealing that 53% of companies increased their total philanthropic donations in 2008, and 27% increased their giving by more than 10% year-over-year. Amid a challenging economy, business leaders continue to support their companies’ commitments to rebuilding their communities and advancing social and environmental programs around the world.  Read full article.

1% for the Planet is establishing philanthropy as a tenet of the socially-responsible business model.  As global financial markets collapsed last October, more companies joined than in any other month of 2008, and we are growing by more than one new member company every day!  Currently over 1,100 member companies in 39 countries!

Despite the recent economic downturn, several 1% for the Planet member companies had their best year ever in 2008. One reason for their relative success is the value of sustainability. Many members have strong values-oriented brands in a marketplace that increasingly rewards responsible businesses. Participation in 1% for the Planet is a great way to signal that commitment.

Since overall performance of 1% for the Planet member companies remains strong, so too does charitable giving from the 1% for the Planet network. With donor dollars for non-profit causes falling fast in today’s economic crisis, giving that is tied to the sales of our member companies remains strong. To date, we have channeled an estimated $42 million in critically needed funds to more than 1,700 non-profits around the world, with $10 million given in 2008 alone.

With the current momentum that is carrying 1% for the Planet, our powerful network of socially responsible companies is redefining how business does business – and generating considerable new resources to strengthen the capacity of nonprofits that protect and restore the environment.

Huckleberry Tree.  Yeah, that’s right – Huckleberry.

That’s the name of the new album from Garrett Brennan and the Great Salt Licks

and it’s chock full of goodness. Tunes like ‘Joy Sweet Joy’, ‘Down the Line’, or ‘Too Old to Dream’ will all put you in a very nice place.

While the music’s darn good, it’s more than tunes that connect Huckleberry Tree to 1% for the Planet. In addition to being a friend of ours, and one of the funky freshest humans we know, Garett is a 1% member, committing 1% of the sales of his music to environmental non-profit groups. He’s also the Executive Director of Focus The Nation, a 1% recipient non-profit organization that’s leading the charge for civic engagement around the issues of clean energy and bold and just climate policy.

As if all that weren’t enough, Garett donated a song to our upcoming 1% CD project, one that will help us spread the 1% message far and wide (stay tuned!). AND, he entertained the crowds for us at this past winter’s Outdoor Retailer tradeshow in Salt Lake City. Need another connection? Garett was a founding artist of 1% member Clif Bar’s GreenNotes team, a fantastic crew of musicians committed to greening their touring and educating fans about sustainable lifestyles.

Okay, lovefest over. Don’t check out Huckleberry Tree ‘cause he’s our pal or the things he’s doing for the environmental movement. Check it out ‘cause it’s some truly fine almost-summertime music. It’s been echoing through the 1% office for the last few days and we can’t get enough.

Go, Garett, go!

While in New York for 1% for the Planet’s 1,000 member celebration in March, 1% co-founder Yvon Chouinard and friend Tom Brokaw sat down with Fast Company to talk shop. In this video, Yvon touches on the signficance of a very unlikely ally in the sustainable business movement. Click the image to watch.

The end of April marks for the majority of our membership the deadline for sending in materials proving they have made their 1% commitment. That said, the 1% for the Planet office is currently inundated with stories of giving! It is a very beautiful thing, and really highlights our favorite time of year. All of these businesses, across industry, across the planet, giving in concert to Keep Earth in Business; well . . . . we get a little tickled in excitement, awe and thanks as we charge through the certification process.

This said, and following Becky’s story from last week of member giving, today we are pleased to share some inspiring words from Tactics (member since Feb ’07).

(Left to right: Tactics Snow Team Rider Forrest Sharer, Cascadia Wildlands Project Executive Director Kate Ritley, Cascadia Wildlands Project Conservation Director Josh Laughlin, and Tactics Co-owner Matt Patton)

“At Tactics, our goal is to be a model environmentally sustainable and socially responsible company. The environment is such a large part of what we do and who we are. Not only do we sell gear for use in the outdoors, many of our employees spend a lot of time outdoors. Our partnership with 1% for the Planet is about much more than supporting non-profit organizations. For Tactics, it’s about fulfilling our responsibility to give back and protect the environment that sustains our business.

For 2007 Tactics provided financial support to a wide variety of non-profits who represent the critical front lines of environmental conservation, preservation and restoration. We just wrapped up our paperwork for 2008, and we’re happy to say that this year we’ll be giving even more.”

Many thanks to Tactics for their commitment and their 2008 grants, and a huge congratulations for your continued growth and success!

]]> http://onepercentfortheplanet.org/blog/2009/06/our-favorite-time-of-year/feed/ 0 http://onepercentfortheplanet.org/blog/2009/05/rebuilding-the-american-dream-through-the-1-for-the-planet-network/ http://onepercentfortheplanet.org/blog/2009/05/rebuilding-the-american-dream-through-the-1-for-the-planet-network/#comments Thu, 28 May 2009 21:29:21 +0000 admin http://onepercentfortheplanet.org/blog/?p=483

1% for the Planet member company Apartment Therapy Media funds LEED-certified affordable homes through Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat for Humanity Kent County is committed to building all of their homes to LEED certification, bringing energy efficiency to those who need it the most. The stark decision: “food or heat,” is eased for families who live in a LEED-certified Habitat home. Affordable housing and environmental sustainability are achieved through Habitat Kent’s efforts.

Apartment Therapy Media is devoted to helping people make their homes beautiful, organized and healthy. As a 1% for the Planet member, they selected Habitat Kent as their 2008 nonprofit recipient organization. Their sizable gift to Habitat Kent, based on 1% of their revenue, supports green building and sustainable communities.

This is a powerful example of the 1% for the Planet network in action. Member companies commit to make a difference, and then deliver in their communities. The 1% for the Planet movement is a powerful network of socially responsible companies that are redefining how business does business – and generating considerable new resources to strengthen the capacity of nonprofits that protect and restore the environment.

In case you have not heard, we’re pretty keen here on this earth thing. We’re a fairly active bunch too so when we hear about opportunities to get outside and enjoy this big blue marble AND show it some love in the process, we get downright excited. This September’s Climate Ride might be one of the best yet.

From Climate Ride founders Caeli Quinn and Geraldine Carter:

“The 2nd Annual Brita Climate Ride invites you to pedal your way to a new energy future! More than two hundred cyclists will join together from September 26 – 30th, 2009 to embark on a journey from New York City to the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. We’ll be making a powerful statement about the need for renewable energy and climate change awareness throughout this beautiful 300-mile bicycle ride.”

All that and it benefits amazing non-profit groups including Focus The Nation and Clean Air-Cool Planet, two organizations funded by 1% member businesses. Check out the Climate Ride website for all the important info as well as photos and videos from last year. Teams are encouraged and their is a limit on participants so sign up soon!

Viva el Pedal Power!