BREAKING: Our members in France are now celebrating their 100th 103rd member! But before we missed the 100th member party entirely, our very own Marketing VP, Melody, caught up with 1% member / photographer Emmanuel Donfut from his company Balao for a Skype interview and inspiring slideshow. Watch a couple minutes in for a view of 1% in France through a camera’s lens.
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!
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.
1% ventured south from Vermont to Louisville (“Looavul” as we learned), KY to catch some tunes (and rays) at the Forecastle Festival. Since it got started in 2002 as a gathering at a local park, Forecastle has grown into an exuberant three day bonanza of music, art, and activism on the banks of the Ohio River. In addition to snagging acts like The Flaming Lips, Widespread Panic, The Smashing Pumpkins, and 1% artist Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, this year Forecastle became the first music festival to join 1% for the Planet. Brittany and Grace represented 1% at Forecastle this year, partnering with Patagonia Footwear to sell the new Advocate Moc and talk to concert-goers about 1% (while also finding plenty of time to hula hoop!).
For more photos of the event, check out our ‘1% sightings’ album. Have a 1% sighting to share? Email us your photo— witty caption required—and we’ll post it!
During our recent jaunt to Utah, we had the pleasure of catching up with a slew of members and non-profit recipients. At the Outdoor Retailer show, we were happy to share the Backcountry Village with the recipient non-profits Winter Wildlands Alliance and Protect Our Winters, and 1% member company, Green Laces, and to learn more about what they’ve been up to.
Pro soccer player Natalie Spigler founded Green Laces on a simple premise: give athletes an easy way to green up their act. Athletes, ranging from Olympians to NFL players, and everyday folk make a promise to incorporate an environmentally friendly behavior into their daily routine, and to wear green shoelaces signifying their commitment to the environment. Much like the ubiquitous yellow Live Strong bracelets raise awareness and much-needed funds for cancer research, Green Laces aims to make their all recycled, sustainably packaged laces a mascot for the environment.
Forty percent of each Green Laces purchase funds 1% recipient non-profits, like Protect Our Winters, 350.org, and the Surfrider Foundation. What’s more, when you purchase your own pair of Green Laces, you can select which of the featured non-profits you’d like to support with your purchase.
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!
Our greatest congratulations go out to longtime 1% for the Planet members Reusablebags.com (member since 2006) and Grounds for Change (member since 2003) for making the final round in Green America’s People’s Choice Award as the “Green Business of the Year”. “A celebration of the leaders of the green economy, and a challenge to corporate America to follow their path”, we encourage you to show your support to these committed businesses by voting through this link. Voting closes Thursday October 8th!
Mountain Khakis has been listed in Inc.’s top 500, ranking #404 in all and #34 in the Consumer Products and Services Industry. Their growth, clocked at 638% from 2005 to 2008, can be attributed to the exceptional focus and quality of their product – a hardy pant.
Another key to Mountain Khakis’ resonation with consumers is also indicated by their prominent waving of their 1% for the Planet membership logo, from the very beginning. Yes we are pleased to reveal that Mountain Khakis signed on as 1% member when they first launched the company in 2004.
A wonderful testament to the age old song, “you need to give in order to receive”, we learn with Mountain Khakis that this is indeed applicable in the world of business. Inc. concurs revealing, “If you want to know which companies are going to change the world, look at the Inc. 500″. For more information on Mountain Khakis’ success click here.
Our French members rendezvoused in celebration this week due to our recent post about 400 placements of 1% for the Planet posters in the Paris Metro this month. Touring the city together with props representing their businesses, we are absolutely jazzed with the results. We think you will be too! Click on any of the photos posted to be linked to the complete library documenting the day.
A round of applause goes to Emmanuel Donfut of Balao (member since Nov. ’06) pictured solo in front of the Eiffel Tower here. Thank you for the wonderful idea, for the fun, and for sharing with us all!
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.
