You’ve heard the famed Billie Holiday song “Autumn In New York” (and if not, please rectify that immediately). It’s the one song I find that brings a promise of better things to come, to spark some joy for the fall season ahead.
It’s what ran through my mind as I left the subway at 81st Street this past Tuesday, fall’s official first day. The lush green foliage in Central Park was beginning to turn copper, and several people were out with their dogs leading the way, coffee in hand.
I made my way to the Upper West Side location of Patagonia, the esteemed outdoor clothing and lifestyle company. I had been invited to attend a live taping of the What If We Get It Right? podcast, hosted by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Third Act co-founder and leader Bill McKibben, which was being held at the store in honor of Climate Week. After being greeted warmly on arrival, we were invited to have some small bites before the event started.
Part of the spread was from Patagonia Provisions, the company’s division making responsibly sourced and sustainable food items. On hand were anchovies, sardines and mussels, all sourced from small organic farms based stateside and overseas - there was even bison jerky, which I have to admit was my favorite. (They've even got beer - I HAVE to check that out sooner than later.)
Minutes later, we all made our way to the second floor to get our seats for the episode taping, with Dr. Johnson and McKibben starting off with friendly banter and McKibbens haring details from the protest outside of Amazon’s corporate offices he had just arrived from. “I had somewhat of a rallying cry - forget Amazon Prime, it’s Amazon crime,” he said, getting some laughs from the crowd. The guests for the episode were Patagonia’s Chief Impact and Communications Officer Corley Kenna, and Protect Our Winters CEO Erin Sprague. Kenna’s appearance carried a major announcement - the 11.2 Million Vote Project, an initiative created by Patagonia to help spur more people to vote in the upcoming midterm elections.
The 11.2 Million Vote Project was inspired by data that Patagonia obtained, finding that 11.2 million Americans who professed an interest in the environment and climate justice didn’t vote in the 2024 presidential election. The initiative’s objective is to get 112,000 people to make a plan with three of their friends to vote, and sign up at the platform in time for the launch on September 26, which is Public Lands Day.
It continues the company’s civic-minded mission, which began in 1978 in Ventura, California by founder Yvon Chouinard when the company raised awareness about local elections. Since then, Patagonia was a leader in offering employees time and resources to go vote, helping to co-found the Time To Vote movement, a non-partisan nationwide initiative that has over 2,000 companies close their doors so that their employees can vote in elections.
Sprague spoke about the work of Protect Our Winters, an organization focused on climate action through the power of the people. Using a strategy that unites athletes and other outdoor enthusiasts into a non-partisan voting bloc self-billed as “The Outdoor State”, they’ve engaged Congress to get legislation protecting the environment and wildlife passed, and to press for more direct change such as calling for current Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin to immediately resign.
McKibben noted how the group’s unique makeup has been a wellspring of momentum in the fight in the halls of Congress, joking that “politics has been run on coffee and bourbonfor so long, its good to see Red Bull in the mix.”
Dr. Johnson did talk about how the outdoor industry has undergone changes that reflect the true diversity of the nation, with more Black people and other people of color participating in outdoor activities. The quoted stats showed that breakdown of participants to be 70% white, 13% Black, and 10% Latino as of 2025. It led to her asking Sprague and Kenna about what more could be done to increase those numbers for Black people and other people of color.
Sprague said that more outreach from established brands and companies are needed, particularly on the local level. Kenna concurred, stating: “We have to be more intentional, and we have to engage more with all types of people.” She also noted that Patagonia has their Action Works initiative which seeks to amplify diverse voices through short films and other projects.
The taping ended, and the sun that had threatened to break through the clouds for the past hour finally did, emanating through the colorful letters spelling “VOTE” in the large window behind the panelists. With the midterms just five weeks away, being present to see environmental justice groups and a company like Patagonia doing so much to get people to the polls gave a little bit of hope. Just like a good bowl of hot soup can warm the bones when the fall breeze hits, that kind of action should light a fire in everyone.