Patagonia, Inc. is a Ventura, California-based clothing company, focusing mainly on high-end outdoor clothing. The company is a member of several environmental movements. It was founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1972.
Patagonia is a major contributor to environmental groups. Patagonia commits 1% of their total sales or 10% of their profit, whichever is more, to environmental groups. Since 1985, when the program was first started, Patagonia has donated $46 million in cash and in-kind donations to domestic and international grassroots environmental groups making a difference in their local communities.
Explain the concerns that customers of Patagonia expressed
Patagonia customers tell us their desire for fair working conditions for the people who build their product; experts at universities and NGOs outline the challenges inherent in global production;
First it is related to the first Commandment. Why Patagonia customers desire for fair working conditions for works? It because of love. Bible says, "God is love", and the first Commandment is about a love relationship with God. If people followed the first Commandment, "you shall have no other gods before me" , they will try their best to do what God want them to do. If people only worship God, they will control their greedy egotism, and show love and justice to others. For our God is Love and justice one.
Second it is also related to second Commandment which is talked about not making idols. If people didn't make money as their idol, they would care about others, such as working conditions, situation of the employees, rather than just thinking about their own benefit. Also because people do not reduce or replace God with a narrow image or idols like money, they will treat each other with real heart.
Third, I think third Commandment is also working here. If people treat God respectfully, they also would respect others. For this case, they want to provide fair working conditions, it means they want to respect everyone they employed.
For forth Commandment, it is talked about Sabbath day. Working time is included in fair working conditions. If people obey this Commandment, they would provide holidays for workers.
At last for fifth Commandment, it is related to love. If people truly love their neighbor, they would give them a good working environment. how Patagonia wants to improve its social responsibility
They want to choose good factories and post their social responsibility. Only good factories can ensure that Patagonia products are produced under safe, fair, legal and humane working conditions.
As first Commandment is about only worship God, and why Patagonia consider many factors to choose a factory, not just considering about money? Because of love, they have the responsibility to provide high quality products for their consumers, and make sure the workers work in a fair working conditions. God is love, so we also should love others. If they consider for their works, that means they love them.
Second Commandment is about don't make idles. Money is the biggest idle in the world. Many companies or people only consider about economical benefit like worship money. But Patagonia want to provide good working environment for their workers though it would cost much more money.