2018 is the year of action for us at Cornucopia. We want to be more involved locally AND globally to make a positive impact in this world. That is why we’ve become a member of 1% for the Planet. 1% utilizes its partners to generate change in the world on a grassroots level. By donating just 1% of our annual sales, we are able to help fund grassroots projects that focus on environmental sustainably and conservation. Wanting to know more about 1% for the Planet? Well, let’s chat!
Who is 1% for the planet?
1% for the Planet was started as a solution to the global community falling short of working to save the earth. Yvon Choinard, the founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Files created 1% for the Planet back in 2002. Since then, they have created a network of businesses and nonprofits with one simple goal: working together for a healthy planet.
Here’s how it works: As a member, 1% determines our priorities and goals for giving and helps us find the best nonprofits to give to. “Members give directly to approved nonprofits of their choice and we certify this giving annually. Direct giving helps put dollars in the hands of doers quickly and efficiently with 1% for the Planet providing the expert guidance necessary to ensure it’s the smartest donation possible.” With 1%, there is no middle man or waiting. We can ensure that our donation is going directly to nonprofits committed to bettering our planet.
The work being done by members of 1% is incredible, too. “Members have given more than $175 million to environmental nonprofits to date. Today, 1% for the Planet is a network of more than 1,200 member businesses, a new and expanding core with hundreds of individual members, and thousands of nonprofit partners in more than 60 countries.” As a member of 1%, we are now able to give our earth the support it needs through direct giving and every day actions.
The work
The 1% network covers six main areas of work: climate, food, land, pollution, water, and wildlife. By spanning such important ares, they help companies like us partner directly with a nonprofit to make true change all throughout the world! Let’s take a look into some of the great work 1% is doing in each of the areas:
Food
We depend on food. And as our populations continue to climb, it is more important, now than ever, to collaborate together to ensure sustainable food systems. 1% is working with nonprofits in a variety of ways to combat the food issues we face today. From advocating for more local and sustainable agriculture to working with environmental lawyers to fight injustices involving food systems, 1% partners with nonprofits who are dedicated to making our food systems stronger and enduring.
Land
Our land is full of diverse, beautiful landscapes that provide not only breathtaking views, but also provide abodes to wildlife and indigenous communities. 1% and its network of nonprofits are diligently working to advocate for our lands, including: facilitating people’s ability to become stewards of our planet, responsibly managing and conserving our natural resources, and creating youth education programs that teach younger generations about the importance of environmental conservation and protection.
Pollution
We all know that pollution is harmful for our planet. Pollution affects every aspect of our lives: from the air we breathe to the water and land that sustains us. Nonprofits in this area are working to both prevent future pollution and also clean up current pollution that affects our world today. Some of the ways they are fighting pollution are through:
- recycle and upcycle programs
- maintaining quality soil levels throughout the globe
- reducing the amount of synthetic toxins in our environment
- operating clean-ups worldwide to remove man-made waste
- protecting and improving air quality
Water
Water covers over 2/3 of Earth. It is a key integral part of our world and is vital for many forms of life. That’s why it is utterly important for us to protect and conserve our waters during a time where they are being threatened more than ever before. Nonprofits in the water field are organizing clean-ups at freshwater and ocean sites to remove man-made waste. They are also promoting and advocating for more renewable energy options to protect our waters from drilling and fracking. Other nonprofits in this area are working to create and sustain more responsible fishing methods to reduce overfishing and overconsumption.
Climate
Extreme weather. More natural disasters. There’s no doubt that our climate is changing, and it’s not for the better. 1% and it’s nonprofits are dedicated to combatting climate change and the effects it brings. Ways in which nonprofits are working to promote a more sustainable climate for our people and planet include:
- entitling environmental protection to all people, regardless of race, ethnicity and religion
- advocating for alternative methods of transportation to reduce our impact on climate
- reducing our dependency on fossil fuels and focusing more on renewable energies
- protecting our environment through law and public policy
Wildlife
Our ecosystems and wildlife are a critical part to a healthy planet. “We have an obligation to conserve and protect the variability of wildlife in our planet and to maintain the biodiversity that sustains all human life” (1% for the Planet, 2017). In addition to activism and education on wildlife protection and conversation, nonprofits are coordinating animal rehabilitation centers. The centers heal and protect wildlife that has been orphaned or injured. Nonprofits in this field are also key proponent in protecting our wildlife’s biodiversity, to ensure healthy ecosystems and, in turn, a healthy planet.
Why we joined
This is our home, and it’s the only one we have. When you watch and listen to the news, you can the destruction occurring throughout the world. Our oceans, wildlife and lands are threatened more than ever. If we don’t act now, quite frankly, our earth won’t be around much longer.
Becoming a member of 1% for the Planet means that we are able to give just 1 percent of our annual sales to go directly to grassroots environmental sustainability efforts. We are able to partner directly with nonprofits to make a difference for the better. Even more so, we will work with them to target environmental issues that we care about most.
We believe that a membership with 1% for the planet is a step in the right direction. Not just for us, but for the place we call home.
