Save The World This Black Friday, And Look Good Doing It

Image Credit: Patagonia.com

With looming uncertainty in US environmental legislation and regulation, Patagonia is taking it upon itself to save the World this Black Friday. We can all get involved, and look good doing it.

Patagonia has long been known as an ultra premium brand in outdoor and technical clothing. With a reputation for great quality comes the reputation of a high price tag to go along with it. In a world of big box discount department stores and knock offs on every corner, is it really worth it to support a company like Patagonia and get the quality and logo that comes along with the purchase?

Supporting Patagonia means supporting a company that leads the way in environmental activism and corporate responsibility.

On Black Friday, Patagonia is donating 100% of sales in it’s retail stores, patagonia.com and patagoniaprovisions.com to grassroots environmental programs. Read that again, that’s 100% OF SALES. Many companies will commit to a percentage of profits or even all of profits on a single day, but this is the kind of commitment that is rarely, if ever matched in the American corporate landscape.

“We definitely came up with the idea after the election,” said Lisa Pike Sheehy, vice president of environmental activism at Patagonia. “This is a difficult and divisive time for our country. I believe the environment is something we can all come together on. … Environmental values are something we all embrace.”

Company president Rose Marcario stated in a blog post Tuesday, “This we know: If we don’t act boldly, severe changes in climate, water and air pollution, extinction of species and erosion of topsoil are certain outcomes.”

Patagonia goes much further than a one day marketing boost when it comes to environmental activism. Through their 1% for the planet campaign they support grassroots activism on a local level. “Since 1985, we’ve been pledging 1% of all sales to nonprofit environmental groups as a member of 1% for the Planet®. That’s added up to $74 million in cash donations given directly to thousands of organizations working in local communities around the world.”

So, while you’re out shopping this Black Friday, take a moment to consider where your dollars are going. Americans enjoy a prosperity and a generosity that is unmatched in our world. As you’re buying those holiday gifts and outfitting your closet with the best deals of the year, support a company that makes a bold statement about it’s responsibility to our world, and then puts it’s money where it’s mouth is. Buy a Patagonia product and you’ll help save the world this Black Friday, and you’ll look good doing it.

“We’re determined to use every means at our disposal to defend our world’s climate, air, water and soil. In these divisive times, protecting what we all hold in common is more important than ever before.” ~ Patagonia