1% for the Planet Announces Exciting Lineup of Speakers and Events for 6th Annual Global Summit in San Diego

BURLINGTON, VT – September 19, 2024 – 1% for the Planet, a globally recognized organization that inspires businesses to support environmental solutions through annual membership and everyday actions, is proud to announce the agenda for its 6^th annual Global Summit, which brings together members and partners from around the world to discuss and collaborate on ways to create meaningful environmental impact. The Summit will take place in San Diego from October 15-17 at the San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat), which celebrates its 150^th Anniversary this year, and will include dynamic keynote speakers, an array of breakout sessions, interactive museum displays, volunteer work with Forever Balboa Park, wellness sessions and more. 

For the first time, the Global Summit venue will be open to the public for a portion of the event, giving San Diegans an inside look at an organization that has facilitated more than $650 million in environmental giving—and aims to attain $1 billion in cumulative giving by 2028. The Nat will be closed to the public on Wednesday, October 16 to accommodate this convening, and will be open on Thursday, October 17—allowing museum visitors to meet members of the 1% for the Planet global network. 

“The Global Summit is our signature annual event convening our global business members to discuss and collaborate on meaningful ways to support people and planet,” said Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet. “Attendees will experience world-class sessions, collaborative workshops, inspiring keynotes, volunteering, and networking opportunities as we focus on the power of our network’s collective action.”

“As a new environmental partner in the 1% for the Planet network, we’re thrilled to host the Global Summit and to welcome the leading businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations across the globe who are driving environmental impact,” said Judy Gradwohl, the Christy Walton President and CEO of the San Diego Natural History Museum. “The Nat has a long history of scientific, environmental and conservation research. We look forward to bringing our insights and work to 1% for the Planet’s global network and continuing to support a planet that supports us.”

From the Podium

This year’s Summit will feature inspirational onstage conversations and keynotes with leaders who are driving environmental change locally and globally. Speakers include:

• Ron Finley, a Los Angeles-based fashion designer and proponent of urban gardening who is known for his TED talk on guerilla gardening
• Constance Mwandaa, Head of Training & Ranger at Wildlife Works, Kenya
• Sean Willmore, Founder of Thin Green Line and LEAD Ranger Program 
• Judy Gradwohl, President and CEO, San Diego Natural History Museum ‍
• Kate Williams, CEO at 1% for the Planet

Breakout Sessions

Conference content will coalesce around 1% of the Planet's four impact areas, which include Rights to Nature, Conservation and Restoration, Resilient Communities and Just Economies. Sessions include:

• Redefining Environmental Action – A session to engage on thinking differently about environmental action and redefining impact through highlighting unlikely solutions, and featuring business members who are giving to the four impact areas
• B1’s Leading with Purpose – A conversation on the art and craft of being a better business through the Growing B1 Movement 
• Fireside Chat featuring Kate Williams; Mat Robar, Pure Project and Serge Dedina, WILDCOAST on projects to conserve coastal and marine ecosystems and addresses climate change through natural solutions
• Hope in the Water – Is the Future Blue? – Featuring Jennifer Bushman, Fed by Blue; Dune Lankard, Native Conservancy and Imani Black, Minorities In Aquaculture‍
• Moving Your Money with Purpose – Panelists include Kate Williams; Paul Moinester, TOPO Finance; Ravi Mikkelson, Atmos Financial; Gordon Seabury, Toad & Co.; Zoe Schlag, Common Trust and Cory Gumm, Search Inc.

The Nat’s 150^th Anniversary

Serving as the backdrop for Global Summit is The Nat, one of the nation’s premier cultural institutions, which traces its roots to an enthusiastic group of amateur naturalists who came together in 1874 to study the unique flora and fauna of San Diego. Event attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and celebrate the Nat’s 150 years of research, which have provided the community with scientific breakthroughs and a greater understanding of the environment throughout Southern California and the Baja California Peninsula.

Summit Awards

Introduced at the 2023 Global Summit, the Summit Awards highlight and honor members and environmental partners going above and beyond their 1% commitment in the following categories: Leadership, Partnership, and Change & Innovation. Winners will be announced October 16.

Global Summit is supported by a team of sponsors, without whom the event would be impossible, including Pinnacle Sponsor OXO and supporting sponsors 818 Tequila, Avocado, Big Path Capital, Booth & Partners, Caitlyn Minimalist, Clove & Twine, Experience Momentum, Flickr, HigherRing, Innersense Organic Beauty, Live Printing, Naturepedic, Necessaire, Nomadix, North Six, PALO, Rabble Wine Co. and Verdical Group.

About 1% for the Planet

1% for the Planet is a global organization that exists to ensure our planet and future generations thrive. We inspire businesses and individuals to support environmental partners through membership and everyday actions. We make environmental giving easy and effective through partnership advising, impact storytelling and third-party certification.

Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, our members have given hundreds of millions of dollars to our approved environmental partners to date. Today, 1% for the Planet’s global network consists of thousands of businesses, individuals and environmental partners working toward a better future for all.

Look for our logo to purchase for the planet, learn more and join at onepercentfortheplanet.org.