E-commerce

“That responsibility falls on us”: Retailers taking part in climate strikes

On September 20, individuals, businesses and institutions across the world are standing up to confront inaction on climate change, taking part in a global climate strike in an effort to send a message to global leaders. 

Australia faces issues ranging from drought, flash flooding, bush fires, cyclones and heatwaves as a result of the changing climate, and many retailers are speaking up and giving their staff leave to join the action.

Wine retailer Vinomofo told Internet Retailing they are supporting staff that wish to attend climate strikes.

“We need to address climate change as a matter of urgency, and we believe, as a business, that responsibility falls on us too,” Vinomofo chief executive Justin Dry said. 

“One of the ways in which we can help is to support our team to make a stand is Friday, and to have their voices heard.”

Other retailers, such as Adore Beauty, Lush, and Redbubble are also taking part in the strike.

According to Rebubble, the company will be donating $1 of each sale across its two marketplaces Redbubble (up to $50,000) and TeePublic (up to $10,000) to 350.org – a movement fighting to end the use of fossil fuels. 

“This is our way of acknowledging that we as global citizens cannot afford to be silent now – not when we can still reverse the course of destruction and prevent the worst outcomes,” Redbubble chief executive Barry Newstead said.

“We know many of the artists in our community have raised their voices and created art in support of climate action. We want to follow their lead and inspire more action that can make a difference right now.”

“Giving up is never an option.”

Many institutions, including schools, have thrown their support behind the words of 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg.

“Giving up can never be an option,” Thunberg said, according to The Guardian. 

“[We need to be] treating this crisis like the existential emergency it is.”

Thunberg also slammed promises of green jobs and industries, stating these promises are not enough.

“Wherever I go, I seem to be surrounded by fairytales… The problem now is we need to wake up. It is time to wake up and face the facts, the reality, the science,” Thunberg said, according to The Guardian.

“This is, above all, an emergency, and not just any emergency. This is the biggest crisis humanity has ever faced and we need to treat it accordingly… Stop telling people ‘everything will be fine’… Stop pretending you, your business idea, your political party of plan will solve everything.”

This story originally appeared on Inside Retail Australia.