The Earth is Now Our Only Shareholder
E54: Photos of an Earth worth protecting
Outlier - Cluster - Trend
The internet has been a buzz with this headline!
The Earth is now our only shareholder
Patagonia’s founder, Yvon Chouinard, has given all his family’s equity in his company to a new charitable entity created specifically to fund and support environmental conservation.
You have probably read the headlines (links below).
These were my three main take-aways:
Outlier: Patagonia and its directors clearly believe that economics as usual is doing more harm to the Earth, than good. And they want to change that. They have taken a stand and made bold decisions. They are invested in ensuring a circular economy, consistent with the founding principles behind the birth and growth of the clothing they created specifically so that humans could enjoy the beauty of nature.
Cluster: They joined a coalition of like-minded purpose-driven corporations that believe in making a profit while behaving responsibly. They became a Benefit Corporation - one that balances their profitability with their responsibilities to society and the environment. One that balances the long-view, rather than the short view of the shareholder profit this quarter.
Trend: This is hopefully the start of a bigger wedge and trend that will reshape our appetite for insane profitability and trillion-dollar corporations against the longer term survival of the human race on planet Earth.
I recommend a full read of the letter from Patagonia’s Chair, Charles Conn, published in Fortune:
“We are turning capitalism on its head by making the Earth our only shareholder”
He talks about the foresight their company has invested in over the years to ensure that at every stage of their process they have as light a footprint as possible.
And these articles published by:
BBC: Billionaire boss gives fashion firm away to fight climate change
New York Times: Billionaire no more: Patagonia Founder Gives Away the Company
You may recall the question I had asked in E2: What "better" world were we trying to create for our children that we gave away what was beautiful and free?
I am beginning to see momentum. For the first time, in a long time, I am encouraged! All it takes is a few people to behave consistently with their convictions. Drip, drip, drip. That is how a puddle becomes a forceful waterfall.
An Earth Worth Preserving:
I am on vacation this week driving from Banff to Jasper. The essay above was pre-planned for posting. But I had to come in and post a few photos from this week. I promise more photos next week!
Everywhere we traveled, we were reminded of the beauty and fragility of nature. I feel the Patagonia decision is at the pointy edge of a new movement of action and urgency.
Trend.
Welcome to the new members of Tribe Tilt!
You are joining a group of people who believe that we can make a difference to the people and places that are precious to us.
Stay healthy. From there all else becomes possible.
Karena
PS. Apologies in the delayed publication this week. Internet was non-existent to not powerful enough to get this out with the photos. Learned/enforced patience is a good thing!
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Breathtaking photos, Karena! A good reminder of what we are fighting for.