Today, Chronology officially joins ~1,200 eco-conscious businesses as a member of One Percent for the Planet (1FTP).
What is 1FTP?
1FTP is a network of businesses that pledge 1% of their sales to nonprofits. Specifically, nonprofits that are protecting, restoring, and improving the planet we all live in.
1FTP also provides a way for consumers to identify and support businesses that share their values. 1% of sales--as opposed to profits or other metrics--means the consumer also knows exactly how much is being contributed.
I'm honored to join ranks with amazing companies such as Klean Kanteen, Patagonia, CLIF Bar, and our barefoot / minimalist community's very own Bedrock Sandals.
Why join 1FTP?
Many personal reasons.
I originally chose to manufacture in the United States because I wanted to minimize harm. We have strong environmental and labor laws here, and domestic production should have the lowest carbon footprint. Respecting these issues that I care about means I can go to sleep at night feeling good about my impact on the world.
Now, we're switching to a new factory in Brazil. My agent assured me that they meet the same strict environmental and labor standards. And even though the goods are coming from further away, they are coming by sea. Ocean freight has a lower carbon footprint than trucking.
Since I first announced the change in factories, I actually haven't heard a single objection to it. That's kind of surprising because we're on the internet, and you know how the internet can be =P. It seems like you guys all understood the move as necessary to develop and deliver shoes at a faster pace and a higher quality. Joining 1FTP is not a response to a backlash, as there hasn't been a backlash of any kind, and I submitted my membership application before I decided to change factories.
Rather, joining 1FTP is a response to my own desire to do more. When I first started this company, I wanted it to not only minimize harm, but also maximize value. Not just between myself and my customers, but with the world at large.
Back in 2012, I had this lofty idea for a Paleo ranch resort. We would have a herd of cattle, managed with rotational grazing, a la Joel Salatin's Polyface Farms. The wildlands would provide a healthy diet of grass to the cattle, and the cattle would rejuvenate the wildlands by turning the soil with their hooves and fertilizing the soil with their manure, as nature intended.
Guests would come to play rustic golf, hike, snowshoe, ski, soak in hot springs, unwind, and recharge. We'd have our own Crossfit box and yoga studio. Our resort restaurant would serve the freshest grass-fed beef (because it comes from our very own herd), as well as local wild game and organic produce. The hides from the cattle would provide leather for our shoes.
4 years after having this idea, and this dream is still so far away... Never mind trying to source leather from grass-fed cattle. I spent 2+ years just trying to get another color of leather! Oh, reality...
I'm not happy that we're still a part of the industrial beef system. But we're still not at a size where we can exit that system. Well I don't want to wait until we get that big. I want to make a positive difference now.
Why does it matter?
With more people on the planet and more technology than ever, we affect change at an unprecedented rate.
For me, concern for the environment was less about protecting cute animals and beautiful vistas, and more about human quality of life (although I can certainly appreciate those things, and respect those who champion such causes). I'm personally more interested in improving everyday things that affect everyday people: clean air, clean water, clean food, and economic opportunity.
We can make life better or worse. Let's make life better for everybody. Yourself included =)
What should we support?
The first nonprofit that came to mind was Heifer International. I have a soft spot for sustainable food, because it addresses multiple issues at once.
It only takes a minute to help a family out of hunger and poverty. #GiveHeifer today: https://t.co/Xt7eHpqmaX pic.twitter.com/V2zXEE1uyd
— Heifer International (@Heifer) December 3, 2015
Is there another great nonprofit that would be a good fit for us? Let me know in the comments!