Ever since Patagonia had an office (and wasn’t just selling gear out of the back of Yvon’s car), we’ve devoted desk space, our free time and a percentage of our sales to protecting wild nature. From our travels, we knew our land, air and water was in real trouble from short-sighted profiteers.

Over the years, it also became clear that in speaking up for the trees, rivers, salmon and grizzlies, we were not only fighting for the places (and critters) we love but also for everyone. No place is safe from the overheating atmosphere, and soon the lives we save may be our own. The climate crisis is a human issue.

The science is clear in stating that the primary cause of the climate crisis is an excess of carbon dioxide and other gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, and, honestly, our business is deeply implicated. From petroleum-based polyester threads and fabrics woven on coal-powered machines to waterproofing treatments and shipping clothes in plastic mailbags, we’re enmeshed in carbon emissions. Many of us still drive to work in cars and travel by airplane. It’s a lot to change, but we’re working our tails off to do so. We’ve set an ambitious, but attainable goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2025 across our entire business, including our supply chain.