Climate Change
Biden rejoins Paris Climate Agreement, announces sweeping policy review
Barely four hours into his term, President Joe Biden signed a series of presidential actions Wednesday that brought the United States back into the Paris Climate Agreement and began the process of reversing the previous administration’s loosening of environmental protections. In ...read more
Industry Buzz: Gucci x The North Face release collab details, carbon emissions in decline, celebrating one of the first female Eagle Scouts, an argument for the necessity of sales reps
Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web The North Face x Gucci collab: The two brands have revealed details about their new joint collection, inspired by '70s-era style. [HypeBeast] The future of carbon emissions: After a century of rising atmospheric carbon ...read more
REI holds vendors accountable for climate and DEI practices
For the first time since their introduction in 2018, REI's groundbreaking Product Impact Standards—a series of requirements companies must meet if they wish to stay on the retailer's shelves—have received an update. Initially conceived to support ethical production practices and ...read more
Industry Buzz: Lindsey Vonn’s TV show, bike recall alert, death in Great Smoky Mountains, support indigenous outdoor groups, diversity in mountain biking
Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Lindsey Vonn’s new show: The retired skiing icon is now hosting a reality TV show on Amazon called “The Pack,” about the bond between humans and dogs. [Outside Online] Bike recall: Santa Cruz Bicycles has recalled some of ...read more
Biden taps John Kerry for new cabinet position: presidential climate envoy
As president-elect Joe Biden begins naming officials to fill his cabinet, leaders in the outdoor industry are keeping a close eye on individuals who will influence climate policy over the next four years. Most notable thus far: John Kerry, whom Biden has tapped to fill the newly ...read more
Straight Talk: Video interview with Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert
Cant see the video above? Click here In this edition of Straight Talk, Editorial Director Kristin Hostetter sits down for a candid Zoom conversation with Ryan Gellert, the new CEO of Patagonia. It's his first U.S. interview since taking the helm. Key takeaways include: ...read more
Industry Buzz: MEC sale finalized, voting to protect the outdoors, free national park entry, ConnectHub opens to vendors and retailers, Pocket Outdoor Media expands
Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web MEC sale finalized: Kingswood Capital Management, a U.S. investment firm, has completed its acquisition of Mountain Equipment Co-op despite a large grassroots effort to save the struggling retailer. Voting to protect the ...read more
Industry Buzz: Zion survival story called into question, hidden gear stash in NYC, REI expanding in Colorado, Arc’teryx opens new NYC location
Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Suspicious story: Doubts have arisen surrounding the survival story of a woman who was rescued from Zion National Park last week. [The Independent] Vintage gear stash: This Brooklyn couple is running a retro gear shop out ...read more
Op-ed: I'm a veteran and will #VoteTheOutdoors on election day
I am a veteran and an outdoor enthusiast who has spent the last 10 years working in the outdoor industry. Without a doubt, our industry is the first in which I experienced the same level of camaraderie and commitment to purpose as I did during my 22 years in the Navy on active ...read more
Wondering how you can do more to fight climate change? SIA is here to help.
This week, SIA announced the launch of a new campaign aimed at rallying the winter outdoor community around immediate, achievable climate action. The new initiative is called ClimateUnited, and already some big brands in the winter sports industry—Burton, K2, and Rossignol among ...read more
These 5 packaging solutions can help your company eliminate single-use plastic
The outdoor industry, more than most, is keenly aware of the effects of climate change and, in particular, the need to create greener supply chains. It’s the reason more than 377 outdoor brands have joined the Plastic Impact Alliance, committing to making our industry more ...read more
Industry Buzz: Missing hiker found, wildfire update, climate change on the ballot, Camber's new board leaders, CABDA show postponed, payment plans for outdoor gear
Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Missing hiker found alive: A 38-year-old woman who went missing in Zion National Park almost two weeks ago was discovered alive over the weekend. [CNN] Climate change and the election: Follow this comprehensive guide to ...read more
William Perry Pendley, illegitimate leader of the Bureau of Land Management, refuses to step aside
The Bureau of Land Management's controversial acting director, William Perry Pendley, has refused to comply with a judge's order requiring that he step down from his post at the agency—a job he has held unlawfully for more than 400 days. Brian Morris of the U.S. District Court ...read more
William Perry Pendley removed from Bureau of Land Management
A federal judge ruled on Friday that William Perry Pendley, the acting director of the Bureau of Land Management and an outspoken climate change denier, has occupied his post unlawfully for months and must step down immediately. The ruling comes 424 days after the Trump ...read more
Industry Buzz: Subscriptions for shoes, hikers trash the Appalachian Trail, an eye-opening U.S. climate map, outdoor companies acquire gun brands
Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web A new way to sell shoes: The Swiss footwear company On Running is trying out a new business model for the shoe industry, borrowed from Silicon Valley—subscription memberships. [Outside Online] Respecting the Appalachian ...read more
REI goes carbon neutral and makes big promises for the next 10 years
REI announced today that the company will become Climate Neutral Certified in 2020, officially completing a goal laid out by former CEO Sally Jewell in 2006. The company has also pledged to reduce its carbon emissions—raw carbon output, as opposed to net output, which can be ...read more
Jimmy Chin says "Make a damn plan to vote"
Protect Our Winters (POW) recently launched a campaign to get all outdoor enthusiasts to make a plan to hit the polls this November. Today, they dropped a 2-minute video narrated by Jimmy Chin that's worth a watch. We spoke to POW founder Jeremy Jones about voter turnout, which ...read more
Industry Buzz: Long-term DEI training, outdoor voting power, PeopleForBikes secures grant, crushing sales expectations, new business alliance
Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Six-month inclusion training: Leaders at Snowsports Industries America have agreed to participate in a half-year program focused on improving DEI in the winter sports industry. The power of outdoor voters: A new ...read more
Industry Buzz: SOAR Act, new REI, crisis in Bangladesh, national park tragedy, Phil Powers, Columbia, OR Online education sessions
Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web SOAR Act advances: A new bill that would simplify permitting for outdoor recreation on public lands has passed the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources and moved to the floor of the House of Representatives. [America ...read more
Rose Marcario is stepping down from Patagonia
Patagonia announced the departure of its CEO, Rose Marcario, who has served as the company's chief executive officer since 2008. "Circumstances around the pandemic created a natural inflection point for reimagining our business and Rose and the Board felt it made sense for those ...read more
Industry Buzz: Recreate Responsibly, Appalachian Trail hikers, adventure travel news, green snow in Antarctica
Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Stay safe this weekend: If you’re headed outside for Memorial Day weekend, follow this advice released by Outdoor Industry Association, REI, and other industry leaders as part of a new campaign, Recreate Responsibly. Who’s ...read more
Industry Buzz: Ski resorts consider opening, large-scale climate advocacy, how to navigate virtual trade shows, an inflatable bike
Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web Ski resorts hold out hope: Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin and Breckenridge resorts refuse to give up on the idea that late-spring skiing might be possible. [The Denver Post] A massive coalition of climate advocates: The Outdoor ...read more
Industry Buzz: Earth Day, coronavirus impacts, climate-positive shoes, how to get outside safely, Lifestraw
Industry headlines: Intriguing reads from around the web The Outdoor State: To celebrate Earth Day, Protect Our Winters is gathering support for a new climate change initiative. [Forbes] How coronavirus has affected Colorado's outdoor rec: A new survey by the Colorado Outdoor ...read more
Skiing on dry land, thanks to climate change
For too many people, the threat of climate change is abstract—an arcane question of degrees centigrade, sea level inches, and CO2 parts per million. A new mockumentary by San Francisco filmmaker Sam Blakesberg challenges this notion by showing how a warming globe poses threats ...read more