I'm so shocked about Patagonia. I didn’t know this, Tom. Thank you for shedding light on this. I wish this kind of information were more readily available. I use an app called Good On You, but it mainly shows sustainability ratings for companies and doesn’t cover these kinds of issues.
I am a bit late to this post but I am beyond thrilled I made it here eventually.
I've had the wind knocked out of my sails many times in sustainability circles that do not (or pretend to not) see the complex intersectional ties of peace and sustainability. Everything is talked about BUT the relevance of peace as a major part of a viable sustainable future. You are absolutely right, there is some fear associated with talking about such topics in such a polarised society. These past few years have made me question what sustainability truly means because it all didn't add up.
When you reference the environmental harm that comes from uranium mining, my thoughts immediately go to places like the Congo and Kazakstan(the highest uranium producers) where the indigenous people are losing their lives, well-being, and the vast biodiverse landscape they possess. Unless you're looking for this information, you often do not find deep dives into topics that address conflict-related environmental catastrophes and it's painfully obvious.
-sigh-
This my long way of saying, I glad to see you write about this in such a meaningful way. I am glad there are still some people willing to push these conversations to the front. A lot of care goes into advocating for peace and freedom without stepping on toes, especially the toes of those who benefit from the very destruction of people and planet.
Thank you so much for this comment Kapari. I really appreciate hearing your thoughts and the note about Congo and Kazakstan is really useful for a project I'm currently working on.
In fact, the project I am working on is specifically related to the question of what sustainability really means, so if you have any thoughts on that topic that you would be open to share with me (here on privately) I would be most grateful.
Super! I enjoyed your post, Tom. It is so important topic and it needs much more visibility. And I admire your decision to turn dowd all the customers who do not align with your values. I wish to see it more.
Great post! I find it hard to understand how things got so polarized... I've openly shared my support for a ceasefire in Gaza, and it seems you can never do it right. I have family and friends saying that these are "extreme left thoughts", while certain people on the internet attack you because "calling for peace is not enough". And so in the end you get worn out from speaking up about war 💔
Fantastic post Tom! Patagonia's military apparel had somehow flown totally under my radar - I am completely shocked to learn that 😳 It is really sad that everything has become so divisive and politically charged.
Yeah it's a weird one. It's like they had it dressed in camouflage colours so that nobody noticed it was there! Hopefully we gradually can depolarise the world and create more spaces for people to express their thoughts freely and find common ground.
I'm so shocked about Patagonia. I didn’t know this, Tom. Thank you for shedding light on this. I wish this kind of information were more readily available. I use an app called Good On You, but it mainly shows sustainability ratings for companies and doesn’t cover these kinds of issues.
Yeah sometimes these things are well hidden. Good On You is a great app in general though. Thanks for mentioning it!
Outstanding article, Tom – thanks so much for writing it. I have left a longer comment on Vineeta's post on LinkedIn! :-)
I am a bit late to this post but I am beyond thrilled I made it here eventually.
I've had the wind knocked out of my sails many times in sustainability circles that do not (or pretend to not) see the complex intersectional ties of peace and sustainability. Everything is talked about BUT the relevance of peace as a major part of a viable sustainable future. You are absolutely right, there is some fear associated with talking about such topics in such a polarised society. These past few years have made me question what sustainability truly means because it all didn't add up.
When you reference the environmental harm that comes from uranium mining, my thoughts immediately go to places like the Congo and Kazakstan(the highest uranium producers) where the indigenous people are losing their lives, well-being, and the vast biodiverse landscape they possess. Unless you're looking for this information, you often do not find deep dives into topics that address conflict-related environmental catastrophes and it's painfully obvious.
-sigh-
This my long way of saying, I glad to see you write about this in such a meaningful way. I am glad there are still some people willing to push these conversations to the front. A lot of care goes into advocating for peace and freedom without stepping on toes, especially the toes of those who benefit from the very destruction of people and planet.
Thank you so much for this comment Kapari. I really appreciate hearing your thoughts and the note about Congo and Kazakstan is really useful for a project I'm currently working on.
In fact, the project I am working on is specifically related to the question of what sustainability really means, so if you have any thoughts on that topic that you would be open to share with me (here on privately) I would be most grateful.
Super! I enjoyed your post, Tom. It is so important topic and it needs much more visibility. And I admire your decision to turn dowd all the customers who do not align with your values. I wish to see it more.
Thank you Hembo. I really appreciate the warm words.
An other good podcast about the topic: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5fgJHkftwyiG6zgTtgZGDD?si=447f30cc8d674fba
And the film they talk about: https://earthsgreatestenemy.com/
Great post! I find it hard to understand how things got so polarized... I've openly shared my support for a ceasefire in Gaza, and it seems you can never do it right. I have family and friends saying that these are "extreme left thoughts", while certain people on the internet attack you because "calling for peace is not enough". And so in the end you get worn out from speaking up about war 💔
Yes it’s strange and sad. Thank you for trying, even if it was rejected by some I’m sure there are also others who were quietly grateful. 🙏
Fantastic post Tom! Patagonia's military apparel had somehow flown totally under my radar - I am completely shocked to learn that 😳 It is really sad that everything has become so divisive and politically charged.
Yeah it's a weird one. It's like they had it dressed in camouflage colours so that nobody noticed it was there! Hopefully we gradually can depolarise the world and create more spaces for people to express their thoughts freely and find common ground.