Patagonia is giving away the $10 million it made from 'irresponsible' Trump tax cuts

Company's 'urgent gift' to the planet aims to combat 'pure evil'
conway summit ca
Conway Summit area in the eastern Sierras of California (photo: BLM).

Outdoor apparel and equipment giant Patagonia, which has become increasingly activist and at odds with the actions of the Trump administration, announced today that it is giving away the entirety of 10 million dollars in unexpected cash it will have on hand as a result of what it calls Trump's "irresponsible tax cuts."

The company will donate all of the 10 million dollars to groups that are actively working to find solutions to the worsening climate change crisis—the perils of which have been recently highlighted by two grave reports from both the IPCC and the National Climate Assessment Report—as well as groups working to protect air, land and water.

In a statement, Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario maligned the Trump tax cuts, noting

We have always paid our fair share of federal and state taxes. Being a responsible company means paying your taxes in proportion to your success and supporting your state and federal governments, which in turn contribute to the health and well-being of civil society. Taxes fund our important public services, our first responders and our democratic institutions. Taxes protect the most vulnerable in our society, our public lands and other life-giving resources. In spite of this, the Trump administration initiated a corporate tax cut, threatening these services at the expense of our planet.

The company has been vocal regarding its disdain for and disapproval of the Trump administration since it announced its planned review of national monument lands throughout the U.S., which eventually led to dramatic and potentially illegal reductions to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments in Utah.

Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard added, "Our government continues to ignore the seriousness and causes of the climate crisis. It is pure evil. We need to double down on renewable energy solutions. We need an agriculture system that supports small family farms and ranches, not one that rewards chemical companies intent on destroying our planet and poisoning our food. And we need to protect our public lands and waters because they are all we have left."

In response to the company's donation plans, Todd Tanner of Conservation Hawks—a group dedicated to educating sportsmen and women about climate change—quipped, "Not only does Patagonia make incredible outdoor gear, but it's one of the companies leading the fight when it comes to conservation and climate change. With the holidays right around the corner, sportsmen—including anglers—should support brands who stand up for clean water and healthy landscapes."

Patagonia noted that the $10 million in donations will be in addition to funds donated through Patagonia's commitment to the group 1% for the Planet, which Chouinard founded in 2002 with noted angler Craig Matthews.

Comments

Bravo Patagonia.

This is wonderful! I've never been more proud of Patagonia. I have lived in the mountains of Montana for nearly my entire life and fly fishing there has been some of the best times of my life. In an increasingly divisive political environment, with an administration clearly at odds with the values of conservation and stewardship. Here we are, standing strong, together, working to preserve our lands and environments for future generations. A commitment to manage and preserve that began over a century ago. Thank you Patagonia. My deepest gratitude to Hatch for your journalism.

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