렛미톡광장

Patagonia Founder Donates Company
작성자  : 관리자
Yvon Chouinard is the founder of the global outdoor clothing brand, Patagonia. In October, he made a bombshell announcement regarding his 49-year-old company. He declared that it would be donated to fight climate change.

According to an official press release, Chouinard will be transferring ownership of Patagonia to two newly created organizations. The biggest share of the U.S. company – 98 percent of Patagonia’s stock – will go to the Hold Fast Collective. The environmental nonprofit group will use 100 million dollars of the company’s annual profits to support nature conservation and climate change initiatives.

The remaining 2 percent of Patagonia’s stock will go to the Patagonia Purpose Trust, an organization created to protect the company’s mission and values. Although the overall percentage seems small, this would allow Chouinard to maintain the final say in the future direction of the company.

An avid climber and craftsman, Chouinard started Patagonia in 1973 as a seller of mountain-climbing equipment. His first products, hand-made pitons,* proved popular among his friends and other climbers, and their success allowed the American entrepreneur to devote himself entirely to his passion.

Over time, as Patagonia grew and became even more prosperous, it gave Chouinard an opportunity to pursue broader social goals. Throughout its history, a significant part of the company’s profits has been committed to aiding various environmental causes and reducing its own carbon footprint.*

Then in 2017, business magazine Forbes added Chouinard to its list of the world’s wealthiest entrepreneurs. However, this recognition of his individual wealth greatly troubled Chouinard, because from his perspective, it meant he was not doing enough to make the world a fairer place. Ultimately, it spurred him to find a way to give his fortune away.

On its own, Chouinard’s dramatic gesture may not be enough to reverse climate change. However, by inspiring future generations to think differently about philanthropy, the Patagonia founder’s decision offers hope to climate activists around the world.

* piton 피톤, 하켄 (암벽 등반에 쓰이는 쇠못)

* carbon footprint 탄소발자국 (개인 또는 단체가 발생시킨 온실가스의 총량)