Introduction

“I think we’ve had to move from teacher to student. On environmental work and on outdoor experiences, for a long time we’ve been in a position of authority, if that’s the right word, but at least a voice that people looked to or listened to when we’ve wanted to talk about outdoor sport, great product, and environmental work. But with regards to climate justice, social justice and anti-racism, we’ve had to really step into the seat of the student. And that is humbling, but it’s what’s needed.”

Alex Weller is the Marketing Director for Patagonia in Europe. With a bold company mission, ‘We’re in business to save our home planet’, Alex builds communities in outdoor sport through environmental activism and participates in bringing forth a new paradigm of regenerative business. A passionate snowboarder, a trustee of Protect our Winters and an advisor for Creatives for Climate, Alex’s relentless devotion to planetary health is both impressive and inspiring.

Listen to Dan and Alex discuss:

- His transformative journey to Patagonia

- Working with an intimidating yet empowering company mission statement

- The intersection and complexity of brand building in outdoor sports and environmental activism

- Supporting employee activism

- Patagonia’s foundation, One Percent For The Planet

- Films to increase awareness of environmental issues and lead people into action

- Dark truths, corporate and political powers behind extractive industrial systems and the importance in sharing these stories

- Drawing attention, excitement and participation in community owned clean renewable energy with new campaign We the Power

- Meaningful ideas distorted into polarised politics

- Intersectional crises of climate justice, social justice and anti-racism

- Consumerism; the elephant in the room

- Repair, recycle, recommerce and regeneration - Patagonia Worn Wear

- A new philosophy; design for repair (not obsolescence)

- Vjosa Forever campaign

- Global justice


Links:
We the Power
https://www.patagonia.com/stories/we-the-power/video-97465.html
Power For The People: https://powerforpeople.org.uk
Blue Heart: https://blueheart.patagonia.com
Vjosa Forever: https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/films/vjosa-forever/
Artifishal: https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/stories/artifishal/video-79192.html
Public Trust: https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/films/public-trust/
Worn Wear https://wornwear.patagonia.com/
Action Works
https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/actionworks/
Dream Space
https://thedreamspace.co.uk/exhibition/

Books
Let My People Go Surfing: https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/product/let-my-people-go-surfing-revised-paperback-book/BK067.html
https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/product/the-responsible-company-what-weve-learned-from-patagonias-first-forty-years-paperback-book/BK233.html
https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/family-business/

Connect:

https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/home/

Instagram:
@alex_weller
@patagoniaeurope
@patagonia

—————

Play out track:
Max Cooper - Perpetual Motion
https://maxcooper.bandcamp.com/track/perpetual-motion

Thanks for listening to The Spaceship Earth Podcast.

Host: Dan Burgess @dansolo__
Edit: Charlie Shread
Shownotes: Vicki Turner
Music: Escape Goat by Soren Lorenson
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