Dr. Bronner’s Joins Climate Strike Around the World
Top-Selling Brand to Shutter Websites Globally and Host Events in Solidarity with Global Climate Strike
September 20, 2019
VISTA, CA – Today, September 20, marks the beginning of the Global Climate Strike to increase pressure on government to enact policy to stop burning fossil fuels. Dr. Bronner’s, family-owned maker of the top-selling natural brand of soap in North America, in solidarity with climate strikers around the world and in concert with the #digitalclimatestrike, is shuttering its websites globally including in Korea, Taiwan, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, the UK, and Japan today.
“Dr. Bronner’s is a global brand doing business in over 30 countries on nearly every continent. Our partners around the world are proud to unite in solidarity and support the young climate strikers on the streets around and world demanding an end to the age of fossil fuels,” says Michael Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s. “The call to action for the Global Climate Strike reads, ‘Our house is on fire — let’s act like it. We demand climate justice for everyone.’ Change begins now, with all of us, for we are All-One or none!” continues Bronner.
In the US, Dr. Bronner’s is supporting employees in joining local protests. The company’s volunteer Green Team will also host a “Buy-Nothing” pop-up free store at Dr. Bronner’s headquarters to encourage the give and take of clothing and other goods among staff from Sept. 23-27. In countries like Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, Switzerland, the UK, and Japan, Dr. Bronner’s partners will be attending protests, educating staff, and shutting down their websites to demonstrate the need to disrupt business as usual in response to the climate crisis.
“Together we acknowledge that there is more that unites us than divides us,” says Alana Pezzotti, Director of Dr. Bronner’s Mexico. “In light of how the climate crisis is directly linked to the immigration crisis around the world, this is our moment to appeal to the humanity in each other and recognize the need to transcend borders, respect existence, and create the most equitable solutions in preparing for a livable future.”
In Germany, Dr. Bronner’s flagship store in Berlin will donate all profits on September 20 to Fridays For Future. The store will also be set up as an information and welcome center for anyone participating in climate strike-related protests and actions in Berlin on September 20.
“Our mission is to make socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and to dedicate our profits to help make a better world,” says Axel Rungweber, Managing Director of Dr. Bronner’s Europe, which is headquartered in Germany. “We are deeply inspired by the young voices leading the dialogue during this critical time who are speaking to the traumatic impact catastrophic climate change is already having, and encouraging all who are able to use their power to act responsibly to do so now in solidarity with vulnerable communities and generations to come.”
As a multi-generational company, Dr. Bronner’s remains committed to honoring the vision of founder Emanuel Bronner, who passionately advocated for his peace plan known as the “Moral ABC” for which he used the labels of his iconic soap to promote uniting “Spaceship Earth” since the company began in 1948. Emanuel was deeply concerned about the impact his generation would have on the next one as well as all those to inherit the Earth in the future.
“As a mother of young children, it carries a powerful message for us to unite with these visionary young leaders of the climate movement, like Greta Thunberg, who are escalating our consciousness around the immediacy to take action around the world,” says Grace Sung, Director of Marketing for Dr. Bronner’s Korea. “They will experience life with the most devastating consequences if older generations neglect our responsibility to act with the resources we have while we still can. I hope my children will be able to reflect on our collective efforts and be empowered to also lead as they grow up facing this reality.”
In addition to fossil fuels, other major contributors to climate change include industrial agriculture and the consumption of factory-farmed meat. Dr. Bronner’s primary climate action initiatives include partnering with Patagonia, Rodale Institute, Compassion in World Farming and the Fair World Project to found the Regenerative Organic Alliance, as the company sources major raw materials from regenerative organic projects that sequester carbon in soil through regenerative agricultural practices. Dr. Bronner’s also funds organizations dedicated to promoting plant-based diets (over $2 million in donations since 2013) and advocates for omnivores to eat less and better meat from pastured animals raised according to high-welfare standards and is not such a climate and ethical catastrophe as meat from Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). Among other climate-friendly commitments, Dr. Bronner’s manufacturing facility in Vista, California, is 100% powered from renewable sources.
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About Dr. Bronner’s
Dr. Bronner’s is a family business committed to honoring the vision of founder Emanuel Bronner by making socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and by dedicating profits to help make a better world. Dr. Bronner’s commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability and progressive business practices is part of the company’s mission to put into practice the principles that inform the philosophy printed on the company’s iconic soap labels written by founder Emanuel Bronner. The company is the top-selling natural soap maker in North America and a major brand worldwide. Based on 2018 sales, a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s soap was sold, on average, every 2.2 seconds throughout the year. For further information, please visit: www.drbronner.com.