On Friday, people around the world will leave their classrooms and offices, striking to demand that action be taken to combat climate change. And many Vermont businesses are joining in.
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility has identified about 20 Vermont businesses that will be taking part in the global climate strike, by either closing their doors or encouraging their employees to take time off to participate in the demonstrations. Strikes have been scheduled across the state, and while organization of the global and local movement has been credited primarily to youth mobilization, adults are also participating.
Jane Campbell, executive director of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, said she’s encouraged by the number of businesses getting involved with the climate strike.
“The fact that businesses are getting so involved, not just the younger generation, that’s a really strong statement of the urgency that everybody’s feeling that something needs to happen and something needs to happen now,” Campbell said. “As a business, you have power.”
Burton announced that it would close down its headquarters, located in Burlington, and its stores, which will be turned into local action centers that organizers can use as gathering points to walk to local rallies and make signs. Its website will also close for the day, so no online sales will be made.
In a statement about Burton’s participation in the strike, Jenn Swain, the company’s global senior sustainability manager, wrote that climate change is threatening the viability of winter sports. This is partly why Burton is taking action, and encouraging other companies to join the climate strike.
“Burton recognizes our own role in contributing to climate change as a manufacturer, brand, and retailer. Which is why we are working hard to reduce our own carbon footprint,” Swain wrote. “However, our impacts as an individual company cannot put a dent in global emissions.”
Seventh Generation, a personal care and cleaning products company, is also shuttering its Burlington office Friday to allow its employees to partake in local demonstrations.
Ben & Jerry’s is joining in as well; the ice cream company will delay the opening of its scoop shops or close them entirely for the day. Its manufacturing plant in St. Albans, Vermont, will also close or slow down for the day if employees wish to participate in the strike, said Laura Peterson, Ben & Jerry’s public elations manager.
Julie Macuga, an organizer with 350Vermont, said there will be demonstrations next week when protestors plan to disrupt businesses in an effort to bring attention to climate change. Tomorrow’s demonstrations, she said, will primarily focus on coalition building with local employers. To her knowledge, no disruptions of businesses have been planned.
Businesses participating in the strike include:
- Brattleboro Savings & Loan
- SunCommon
- Groennfell Meadery
- Danforth Pewter
- Encore Renewable Energy
- CVOEO
- HELM Construction Solutions
- Image Relay
- Mamava
- MegaFood
- Sterling College
- The Alchemist
- Aegis Renewable Energy
- Chelsea Green Publishing
- Greenvest
- Montgomery & Granai PC