I was pretty excited last week with the news of Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard essentially giving away the company to a tightly managed trust committed to his dream of saving the planet. While I haven’t researched the news other than casually it seems super impressive that he took such a bold step now.
Chouinard is not the first business leader to take such a non-monetary long-term unorthodox view. Apparently ‘giving away the farm’ to save the planet is all the rage in Europe and the Nordic countries. My students quickly pointed out the tax savings it would bring to Chouinard and his family. But overall they paused to think how they could one day offer a similar gift.
If you’re like me you might marvel at how someone can be so focused. Chouinard has been saving the planet his entire life. Wow. One single focus. That’s impressive. Its inspiring to have leaders like him to study and hopefully to model. What the world needs now is more than just people marveling at the bold moves of others. We need to make some bold moves our selves.
Lots of things are different now. If you wanted to participate wardrobe is as good a place to start as any. After all you are what you <insert wear>. Your wardrobe might become smaller as you give it away to those more needy. More of your wardrobe in future might be like Patagonia’s – more function than fashion. But wardrobe is not the point! One could change life style – being more outdoors and grounded. A big change for some could be much more biking and a lot less motoring. Ultimately Chouinard has challenged us all to think about this rock and how we either save it or kill it. I chose to save it – or at least try. I’m going to figure out how I can best do that now. Thanks for the push Yvon!
Jules Fauteux 