Momentum building across the globe: Australia

We’re a global movement. We have thousands of members and nonprofit partners in over 65 countries. But we all know that in order to tackle the crises facing our environment, the planet needs more support. It has to be everyone, all together, for our planet. We’re inspired by one country that is truly stepping up to answer this call to action: Australia.

In the past year alone, the number of 1% for the Planet members in Australia doubled. We’re excited to see this kind of momentum in our movement and commitment to the planet.

In February, the 1% for the Planet team traveled to Australia to visit our growing network and host our first national event series.

First stop: Sydney! With a packed room and a line out the door, Patagonia Sydney hosted a panel of businesses making the commitment to membership, moderated by 1% for the Planet COO Jon Cocina.

Panelists from 1% for the Planet members Australian Ethical, KeepCup, Koala and Patagonia inspired the room of environmental enthusiasts, explaining how joining 1% for the Planet is one of the simplest and most effective ways to start reversing our negative impact on the planet.

With a room filled past capacity, the panel had an incredible turn out from both business members (Patagonia, Australian Ethical, KeepCup, Koala, Platinum Cables, Spindrift Collections, boody, Koala Eco, Midnight Runners, The Sustainable Traveller and more) and their nonprofit partners (Rainforest Rescue, WWF, OzHarvest, Take 3, 1 Million Women and Greening Australia.)  With this truly collaborative discussion, the energy and momentum in Australia is clear. You can find a full recap and key takeaways from panelists here.

We continued our journey in Australia by running into Tropical Cyclone Oma but that didn’t stop us from making it to member Byron Bay’s Surf Fest, connecting with a growing hub of members in Byron like Auguste, Arnhem, Spell & the Gypsy Collective,  Gamma Allergy, Wayfarers Atlas, Seabin Project, GoPal, Smart Leash and nonprofit partner Rainforest Rescue. The journey concluded in Melbourne, celebrating KeepCup’s new commitment with fellow members Love Tea, Raine & Makin, Scratch, Vege Threads, and The Cannabis Co. with nonprofit partners Greening Australia and B Lab.

We couldn’t be more excited to expand the 1% for the Planet network in Australia with such a motivated group of business members and individuals. As we make positive strides forward in our global environmental movement, we understand that we still have a long way to go in order to solve our planet’s most pressing issues. However, Australia continues to be a shining light of inspiration. We are so proud of the increase in members throughout Australia, and can’t wait to see their impact grow.

“We recognize that the current level of environmental giving – only 3% of total philanthropy – is not enough to solve the most pressing issues facing our planet,”
said Jon Cocina, 1% for the Planet COO. “Issues like climate change, plastic pollution, declining biodiversity and many, many others are real and we need to take action before it is too late. In addition, there is a tide of consumer interest in aligning their purchases with their values. Brands that carry the 1% for the Planet logo make it easy for people to support the causes that they care about by simply choosing to support our members. Small changes add up, even 1% at a time.