Press Contact: Thanu Yakupitiyage, U.S. Communications Director, 350.org, [email protected]
Ben & Jerry’s, Lush Cosmetics, Seventh Generation, Patagonia Among Companies to Join Strikes
(New York, NY) Ahead of the September 20th Climate Strikes and the week of action from September 24th to 28th, major businesses including Ben & Jerry’s, Lush Cosmetics,, Seventh Generation and Patagonia will join the Global Climate Strikes led by youth climate activists across the world.
In the U.S., youth and adults are working together in an intergenerational and multiracial effort to demand bold climate action, including the immediate phase out of all fossil fuels. Large turnouts are expected in New York, Washington D.C., San Diego, Denver, Duluth, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Seattle, and more.
Coordinated by Future Coalition, the U.S. youth-led strikes includes Earth Uprising, Fridays for Future USA, Extinction Rebellion-Youth, Sunrise and Zero Hour. The Youth Climate Strike Coalition is steering the national campaign, with active support, participation and collaboration from an Adult Climate Strike Coalition, which includes leading national organizations such as 350.org, Greenpeace, SEIU and March On. Youth and adults, institutional and grassroots organizations, climate-focused and social justice groups, are coming together as a unified front to demand transformative action on climate.
In their support of the strikes, these four companies have committed to using their platforms to raise awareness and highlight the urgent need for action on climate.
In response, 350.org’s North America Director Tamara Toles O’Laughlin said, “We are enormously grateful to the support of Ben & Jerry’s, Lush Cosmetics, Patagonia, and Seventh Generation. Each of these socially conscious companies will uplift the demands of the youth and communities on the frontline of the climate crisis during the Climate Strikes this September. We know that it’s going to take all of us to make the changes necessary to preserve our future. The willingness to disrupt the norm is an indicator that the time has come for everyone, especially global leaders, to get out of their comfort zones to ensure that communities around the world can thrive with clean air, water, and are safe from the worst of the climate crisis.”
Quote Sheet:
“My generation will be judged harshly for not acting in the face of a clear, scientific consensus around the crisis of climate change,” said Matthew McCarthy, CEO of Ben & Jerry’s. “We adults must now follow the lead of youth activists who are demanding a safe and sustainable future. I am inspired by the energy and determination of this youth-led movement and I am committed to helping them succeed.”
“As a business that’s long fought for the environment, we are acutely aware of the climate crisis and recognize both the indisputable science behind it, and the need for strong, tangible action to address it,” said Mark Wolverton, CEO of Lush Cosmetics North America. “We are committed to disruptive, transformative change. That means a break in ‘business as usual’, holding our global leaders accountable and answering the call of the youth activists to join them on the streets this September.”
“Future generations are inheriting the consequences caused by this generation’s failure to act on the climate crisis,” said Joey Bergstein, CEO of Seventh Generation. “They have every right to be fed up and worried for their future. We share the concerns of the youth climate activists, admire their determination and are here to lift their voices. The time to act on climate is now.”
“The climate crisis is a human issue – affecting all of us. We are inspired by the youth activists who have led a global movement, and Patagonia is calling for urgent and decisive action for people and our home planet,” said Rose Marcario, President & CEO, Patagonia. “On Friday, September 20th, we will be walking out of our stores, striking with the youth activists and calling for our government to take action. There is no room in government for climate deniers and their inaction is killing us. We invite the business community and all those concerned about the fate of our planet and humankind to answer with action and join us”
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350.org is an international campaign to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.
About Ben & Jerry’s
As an aspiring social justice company, Ben & Jerry’s believes in a greater calling than simply making a profit for selling its goods. The company produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream, yogurt and sorbet using high-quality ingredients. Ben & Jerry’s incorporates its vision of Linked Prosperity into its business practices in a number of ways including a focus on values-led sourcing. Ben & Jerry’s became a certified B Corp (Benefit Corporation) in 2012.
Ben and Jerry’s products are distributed in 35 countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchise Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues.
About Lush Cosmetics
Lush campaigns on animal protection, human rights and environmental justice because it’s the right thing to do. With over 930 shops worldwide, Lush is in a unique position to raise awareness on serious issues and bring about real change. 2019 marks Lush’s 23rd anniversary of creating innovative cosmetics using fresh fruits and vegetables, the finest essential oils and ingredients that are ethically and sustainably sourced. Never tested on animals, every single Lush product is vegetarian, and about 85 percent are vegan, 40 percent preservative-free and 52 percent unpackaged.
About Seventh Generation
For more than 30 years, it’s been Seventh Generation’s mission to help you protect your world with our environmentally conscious and effective household products. Our products are solutions for the air, surfaces, fabrics, pets and people within your home — and for the community and environment outside of it. Seventh Generation offers a full line of laundry, dish and household cleaners, baby products including Free & Clear diapers, training pants and baby wipes, plus recycled paper products and recycled plastic trash bags, and feminine care products including Organic certified tampons. The company derives its name from the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy that states, “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” For information on Seventh Generation cleaning, paper, baby and feminine personal care products, to find store locations, and explore the company’s website visit www.seventhgeneration.com.
About Patagonia
We’re in business to save our home planet. Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia is an outdoor apparel company based in Ventura, California. A Certified B Corporation, the company is recognized internationally for its commitment to product quality and environmental activism—and its contributions of more than $100 million in grants and in-kind donations to date.