While many businesses have invested their Trump-GOP tax giveaway in stock buybacks or CEO pay raises, one multimillion-dollar company is using its tax windfall to troll the president and protect the planet.
Outdoor retailer Patagonia called Donald Trump‘s corporate tax cut “irresponsible” and pledged to donate its $10 million handout to fight climate change because “our home planet needs it more than we do.”
“Taxes protect the most vulnerable in our society, our public lands and other life-giving resources,” the company said. “In spite of this, the Trump administration initiated a corporate tax cut, threatening these services at the expense of our planet.”
Part of Patagonia’s statement:
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Our home planet is facing its greatest crisis because of human-caused climate disruption. All the extra heat we’ve trapped in the earth’s atmosphere is not only melting the poles and raising sea levels, it’s intensifying drought and accelerating the extinction of species. The most recent Climate Assessment report puts it in stark terms: the U.S. economy could lose hundreds of billions of dollars, and the climate crisis is already affecting all of us. Mega-fires. Toxic algae blooms. Deadly heat waves and deadly hurricanes. Far too many have suffered the consequences of global warming in recent months, and the political response has so far been woefully inadequate—and the denial is just evil.
We have always paid our fair share of federal and state taxes. Being a responsible company means paying your taxes in proportion to your success and supporting your state and federal governments, which in turn contribute to the health and well-being of civil society. Taxes fund our important public services, our first responders and our democratic institutions. Taxes protect the most vulnerable in our society, our public lands and other life-giving resources. In spite of this, the Trump administration initiated a corporate tax cut, threatening these services at the expense of our planet.
Businesses need to step up with Trump asleep at the wheel
Typically, it’s up to the government to step up to the plate and tackle problems that businesses are either unwilling or unable to solve. After all, private companies are focused on making money, not public policy.
But with Trump asleep at the wheel on climate change, it appears at least one business understands that some things – like the future of our planet – are more important than their bottom line. It’s particularly important given the most recent Climate Assessment showing dire consequences for the planet if drastic action isn’t taken soon.
Hopefully, more companies recognize the reality that protecting the environment and fighting climate change is in their best interest.
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Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.
