Following a tax cut last year – that will ultimately open up 19 million acres of Alaska’s wildfire refuge to oil exploration, as well as other negative impacts on the environment – Patagonia ended up saving $10 million dollars.

Wednesday, they announced that they will be giving all of that $10 million to groups that are defending our planet.

“We have always paid our fair share of federal and state taxes,” said Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario. “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.”

“Catastrophe is here, and we need all the help we can get to address the climate crisis,” said Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. “Our government continues to ignore the seriousness and causes of the climate crisis. It is pure evil. We need to double down on renewable energy solutions. We need an agriculture system that supports small family farms and ranches, not one that rewards chemical companies intent on destroying our planet and poisoning our food.

“And we need to protect our public lands and waters because they are all we have left.”

All Photos Courtesy of Patagonia.