What is 1% for the Planet?

In 2001, Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, embarked on a fishing trip, not realizing it would lead to the establishment of a global movement. Two entrepreneurs, passionate about the environment, pledged to give 1 percent of their companies’ sales, whether they were profitable or not, to environmental organizations. Their decision was rooted in the belief that businesses should be accountable for their environmental impact, having profited from Earth’s resources. Their vision resonated with other brands and thus 1% for the Planet was born, highlighting the power of collective action.

To date, over $600 million has been donated to environmental initiatives by businesses around the world and that figure is set to grow exponentially. Members of the 1% for the Planet network may also commit to offering additional support through volunteering hours, for example, to grassroots environmental organizations.

WLLW’s Commitment

As Yvon Chouinard declared, “We’ve got to choose to act.”

As founder, I established WLLW on the principle of promoting home design that is both healthy and good for the planet. By joining 1% for the Planet’s global network, we are reaffirming our commitment to our values and our belief in supporting initiatives that are working to promote a more sustainable future.

We’re excited to join the thousands of companies, individuals and nonprofits worldwide committed to putting more time, money and resources towards issues affecting our planet. Being part of this collective mission means our small commitment today can make a true impact tomorrow.

WLLW has partnered with three nonprofit organizations that align with our mission and with whom we will work to advocate for environmental health and justice.

Our Partners

Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN)

I selected this charity because it is a cause close to my heart. After my toddler developed respiratory illnesses, I discovered that environmental hazards were likely to be the culprit. Having tested my home for pollutants with the help of an environmental consultant, I was shocked at the results.

Children are adversely affected by pollutants within the built surroundings, with the World Health Organization estimating that children under the age of five bear the brunt of 40 percent of diseases related to their environments. In our conversation with Dr. Frederica Perera, leading environmental health scientist and founder of the Center for Children’s Environmental Health at Columbia University, we learned the full extent of the health hazards impacting children’s wellbeing.

CEHN’s focus on developing prevention-oriented research in this field is paramount to effecting meaningful change. WLLW aims to support its mission to educate the public, from policy makers to parents, about environmental hazards and the strategies we can employ to mitigate them.

Our commitment to supporting CEHN is based on my own experience. Only now are we truly coming to realize the environmental impact on the smallest lives amongst us – our children. As a mother myself, supporting CEHN means having a voice in protecting our children’s development from environmental health hazards and promoting a healthier environment.

Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE)

Founded in 1995 and rooted in gender justice, WVE was created by women to drive action that reduces the prevalence and impact of toxic chemicals. They envisioned a world where health outcomes were not influenced by gender, sexuality or even zip codes, advocating for a less toxic world where harmful substances in our everyday products were removed from the market. Their passion has led to widespread corporate shifts and policy change, yet their work continues to make an ever greater impact.

My experiences were instrumental in my decision to partner with WVE. I believe that supporting Women’s Voices for the Earth aligns with WLLW’s values of creating a toxin-free future for all, especially for women and children who tend to face greater exposure to toxic chemicals because of the products they use or are exposed to on a daily basis.

Humble Design

The places in which we live are our shelters, spaces for us to feel safe, express ourselves and relax. However, over 500,000 people are currently homeless in the USA and Humble Design is changing lives by providing furnished houses for families, individuals and veterans who are struggling to find a place to call home. Their goal is to give people a fresh start and the comfort from which they might imagine new beginnings.

As an interior designer, I’ve come to understand what home truly means for so many - a place of refuge, safety and security in an ever changing world. We are thrilled to support Humble Design’s mission in designing and fully furnishing homes for those emerging from homelessness.

Photography: Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN), Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE), Humble Design