Our planet-loving album, 1% for the Planet: The Music, Vol. 1, was released just over a year ago with 41 rare and exclusive tracks from artists like Jack Johnson, Josh Ritter, Jackson Browne, and Grace Potter. The album sold over 15,000 copies, thanks in large part to the support of the 1% network. Now, let’s see how widely we can share 1% on Earth Day.

Here’s what you can do:

* Include the link and code EARTHDAY11 in your tweets and facebook posts today (don’t forget to tag @1PercentFTP)

* Use the image above in your newsletter or blog with a link to http://music.onepercentfortheplanet.org/redeem. Download it here.

* Create buzz for giving green on Earth Day. Encourage friends, family, co-workers, and followers to pay it forward and support an environmental non-profit.  1% members have donated over $70 million to hundreds of organizations working to ensure a sustainable future for our planet–join them!

Open a newspaper, go online, listen to the radio and you’ll find stories about climate change which share a similar theme:  climate change is and will continue to be one of the defining environmental issues of the 21^st century.

Greenhouse gas emissions produced in the 1900’s continue to affect the globe’s climate today – increasing the temperature of the planet, contributing to greater volatility in weather patterns, and altering eco-systems from ocean reefs to glaciers and ice fields to ancient forests. And the greenhouse gas emissions we produce today – by driving our cars, heating our homes, charging our cell phones, powering our computers and engaging in other acts of daily life— will have significant, planet altering effects that will continue well into the 22^nd century.

So this year, we’ve decided to change our habits and hopefully inspire others to do the same. At 1% for the Planet, we’re lowering our carbon footprint, one bike ride at a time.  This year, whenever possible, we’ll be getting out of our cars and onto our bikes – to run errands, get to school and work, and have fun with friends.

And then, we are going to go on the road, big-time!

1% Co-Captain Brittany

1% Co-Captain Leah

Bring Your Message to Washington…By Bicycle!

On May 13 -17, 2011, our incredibly fun and athletic Director of Member Services, Brittany Nunnink will lead Team 1% for the Planet on Climate Ride’s forth year riding the beautiful country roads 300 miles from New York City to Washington, DC to raise awareness of renewable energy and the climate crisis. Check out the route!

Support Clean Energy & Bicycle Advocacy

On October 2-6, 2011, Brittany will be joined by our inspiring and soulful Development Program Manager, Leah Cameron, and co-lead the 1% team from Eureka to San Fransisco, 320 miles of stunning coastline, towering redwoods, and picturesque wine country, and conclude our journey across the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco. Rebecca Calahan Klein, our optimistic and athletically challenged but endurance sport loving VP for Organizational Development, will also join us for the fun. Check out the route!

And we’d love for you – our 1% member companies and NGO partners—to join us in this fun, life changing and planet-loving journey!

Join our Team: NYC-DC and/or Eureka- San Francisco

Sponsor a Rider: NYC-DC and/or Eureka- San Francisco

Donate Products or Services: Climate Ride welcomes in-kind product and service donations from companies.  So if you have food, personal care products, bike gear, music, or other items you’d like to donate, bring them on!  And remember up to 25% of your 1% donation can be made in product donation. Contact brittany@onepercentfortheplanet.org for more information.

Share your Knowledge: We want to deepen knowledge about climate change among the 1% community with speakers from our NGO partner organizations that are working on climate change. Contact brittany@onepercentfortheplanet.org for more information.

Our Pedal Pushers

The “climate conference on wheels” raises funds for a collection of nine hardworking non-profits including 1% For the Planet.  All Climate Ride beneficiaries are 1% approved non-profits and working hard on various aspects of climate, policy, business, renewable energy, and bicycle advocacy and infrastructure. We are proud to be is such good company!

To all those considering sending care packages to the lovely 1% crew here in Vermont make sure to get our NEW shipping address. (PS we love baked goods and member products!)

Our new shipping address…

1% for the Planet
45 Bridge Street
Waitsfield, VT 05673
USA

Moving day lunch break for the 1% crew

Membership Maven, Chrissy didn't miss a beat with the move...unpacked and ready to go!

Jake can sing and dance and now...Hula Hoop!

Our mailing address remains the same…

1% for the Planet
P.O. Box 650
Waitsfield, Vermont 05673
USA

Phone: (802) 496-5408
Fax: (802) 496-6401
Email: info@onepercentfortheplanet.org

With this aptly chosen reenactment of the famous French Revolution painting, Liberty Leading the People, member companies on the French Riviera celebrate a present-day tour de force: 100 members of 1% for the Planet… and counting!

In back: Arnaud Charlier, Waveconulting; Manou, PEPS SPIRIT; Emmanuel Donfut, Balao
In front: Frédéric Glo, South Shore Bicycle

Getting members together for a networking event is a great way to share sustainability stories, recruit prospective companies to join, collaborate around a new giving project, or show off the great people, companies, and non-profits behind 1%. Big thanks — and CONGRATULATIONS — to the 1% members in France for expanding the pool of funding going to environmental projects each year.

This week marks the kick-off of the Chris Velan 1% for the Planet Tour.  Sponsored by Mountain Equipment Co-op, the tour spans Canada from Vancouver to Montreal throughout April.  1% member and musician Chris will be headlining the tour with performances in MEC stores and venues in seven cities, all focused on raising awareness of local environmental issues.  Representatives from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, a 1% non-profit recipient, will be on hand at each stop to share stories of progress made as a result of donations from 1% members like MEC.

Vancouver: April 1 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, Railway Club 8 PM

Edmonton: April 7 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, Haven Social Club 6 PM

Calgary: April 11 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, Marquee Room 8 PM

Winnipeg: April 14 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, Park Theater 8 PM

Ottawa: April 24 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, Zaphod Beeblebrox 8 PM

Toronto: April 28 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, C’est What 10 PM

Montreal: April 30 MEC Vancouver Store 12-2 PM, Petit Café Campus

Live nearby one of these cities?  We hope you’ll stop by to hear some great tunes and learn about the impact of 1% giving in your area. As an added bonus, the new 1% album will be available in MEC stores during April, so be sure to pick up a few copies!

About the Album:
1% for the Planet: The Music, Vol. 1 is a compilation of more than 40 rare and exclusive songs donated by leading artists to supporting non-profit organizations working to create a healthy planet. The album aims to accelerate the 1% movement by engaging more people and inspiring more companies to join. Download and share the album →

See more on the 1% Flickr site. Artwork by TDA Advertising and Design (Boulder, CO)

Our album rollout depends on online sharing, which we encourage. Please feel free to use these images on your blogs and websites, and link your viewers to the 1% music site: music.onepercentfortheplanet.org.

Thank you!

What we’re grateful for this year:

• 405 new members
• 30% increase in giving to environmental work in 2009, totaling over $50 million since 2002
• Three new staff members on the 1% team
• 1,132 members contributing 1% of their annual sales to a network of 1,909 environmental organizations worldwide

These strong results in 2009 signal more than ever the strength of commitment of 1% member companies.  1% goes into 2010 fueled by the momentum of these member companies and the work their giving enables.  Together we are well-positioned to change the face of giving and decisively influence the health of the planet in the year ahead.

Thank you for being a part of the 1% network, and enjoy the holiday!

P.S. Thanks to Yes! Marketing, 1% member #985, for designing our holiday cards this year.  Check ‘em out if you’re in need of help for a marketing or design project in the new year.

In a follow up to our October 1st post, the results are in for Green America’s People’s Choice Award for Green Business of the Year. Drum roll please . . . . . the winner is 1% for the Planet member Reusablebags.com! In recognition of their continued success (Reusablebags.com also won this award in 2007), the company was also awarded a Longtime Leadership Award. Our greatest thanks to all who voted and recognized Reusablebags.com as a truly committed company to Keeping Earth in Business!

We are pleased to share that 1% for the Planet co-founder Yvon Chouinard and the 1% for the Planet community have received a leadership nod by U.S. News & World Report for their commitment to revolutionizing the way business is done on this planet.

To join the movement with your business’s membership please contact us at memberships@onepercentfortheplanet.org.

For the full article please click here. Please click here to learn of the 20 fellow honorees of America’s Best Leaders for 2009.

This Saturday we encourage you to drop all plans, grab your circle of friends and family, and join the big circle, our global community, in action for 1% for the Planet Non-Profit Partner 350.org‘s International Day of Climate Action. Voice, act, dance, paddle, ring, play, sing, whatever you can offer, in show of your support for the number 350, representing 350 parts per million, the scientifically backed “safe upper limit” for CO2 in our atmosphere. With creative events and gatherings across the globe, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with this powerful message that affects us all. Click here to find out what’s happening nearest you.

How are we celebrating? You can find us at Vermont’s 350 Dance Party at Higher Ground in Burlington. Headlined by 1% for the Planet member Barefoot Truth (member since Jan. ’08) the show will be simulcast online and on cable throughout the state so all can join.

1% for the Planet will also have a presence in New York City, circumnavigating Manhattan Island with a group in kayaks stenciled by area students.

Calling all 1% for the Planet members, if you’re participating in a 350 action this Saturday, please write me at kate@onepercentfortheplanet.org. We’d be happy to share your support with updates to our blog post here!