Five Minutes With…Celine Miranda, 1% for the Planet
Celine Miranda, Project Co-ordinator, 1% for the Planet
Tell us about 1% for the Planet and the #BeOnePercentBetter campaign
1% for the Planet is a global organisation that exists to ensure our planet and future generations thrive. We inspire businesses and individuals to support environmental non-profits through membership and everyday actions. We make environmental giving easy and effective through partnership advising, impact storytelling and third-party certification.
Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, our members have given more than $265 million to our approved non-profit partners to date. Today, 1% for the Planet’s global network consists of thousands of businesses, individuals and environmental non-profits working toward a better future for all.
You can view an up to date snapshot of our community, impact and brand awareness here.
Last year on Earth Day, we put out the call to be 1% better—recognising that we all can lend our voices and actions to make a difference—so that our planet and future generations thrive.
Our global network of members and non-profits amplified this call and inspired millions of individuals everywhere through their unwavering commitments to better our planet. In celebration of our network of changemakers, we launched our be 1% better site to share the remarkable impact of our network and challenge every person, everywhere, to be 1% better.
What have been some of the highlights and biggest achievements since you launched?
To quote our CEO Kate from our 2019 Annual Survey, “Every day, our global community grows in size and scope. Our 2019 results showcase both record accomplishments and dynamic potential. We brought on 1,289 new business members globally and we certified $27.2 million in giving to environmental non-profits. The total lifetime giving of our network is now north of $265 million. These are real numbers—and every member, every dollar—drives tangible, on-the ground change. Our collective accomplishments show up in the numbers but are felt in the stories of our members”.
“Every member, every dollar—drives tangible, on-the ground change”
‘Active hope’ is something you talk about, do you think the narrative around the climate crisis can often be based on fear and guilt and is this hindering progress?
When we look at movements like the School Strike for Climate Change or read the climate reports created by the IPCC the message can feel very urgent and sometimes daunting. These fears and guilt can be amplified when we feel that we are combatting the climate crisis alone. I believe 1% for the Planet offers a solution for people to become active and be part of a collective movement. Our model allows for businesses and individuals to take responsibility for the environment. Recognising that it’s conscious consumers who purchase for the planet. It's donors that make their money matter. It's our approved non-profit partners going to work. It's our dedicated network collectively taking action. The result from this collective action is hope.
We live by the phrase “progress not perfection”. Do you think a fear of not being perfect is holding some companies back from making any change at all and what do you say to that?
I would say the fear of not being “perfect” exists in multiple organisations no matter the industry. Especially when we are passionate about the change we want to see. However, I think one of the biggest successes from 1% for the Planet is that we work to celebrate and empower our community’s commitment to give back. We know that when we bring people together, we can create a healthy, just and sustainable future, even in unpredictable times. So instead of striving for perfection, by participating in a community of like-minded changemakers, that is progress.
Finally, how can companies get involved in 1% for the Planet?
I believe everyone has a 1%. This can be something as big as becoming a member and committing 1% of your sales or income each year to environmental organisations, or it can be deciding to volunteer as a staff with a local organisation, and it can even be something as small as deciding to procure materials or products from a business that is giving back to the environment like a 1% for the Planet member, B Corp, or a Black, Indigenous or People of Colour led business. Companies also have the ability to mobilise and educate their consumers on what’s good for the planet and our future generations and it’s a misuse of that power to not leverage it to increase pro-environmental behaviour.