The novel coronavirus is a sign of what can happen when we disrespect nature, says legendary wildlife conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall.
That’s why it’s important to support ethically-sourced products and socially responsible companies, said Goodall who is partnering with Canadian cannabis extractor Neptune Wellness Solutions, Inc. (TSX: NEPT) to develop new natural health products.
The products will sold under the U.S. brand Forest Remedies, which currently sells hemp-derived CBD extracts and essential oils. But Forest Remedies by Dr. Jane Goodall will be introduced this summer and will add other plant-based healthcare products like hand sanitizer to its roster. The products will be marketed as affordable and socially-responsible, Neptune said in a statement.
Quebec-based Neptune said to develop the products it will also leverage its partnership with International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (NYSE: IFF), which currently produces CBD products for American audiences.
Read more: From krill to cannabis: How Neptune Wellness Solutions became a premier extractor
As part of the partnership, Neptune donated $25,000 to the Jane Goodall Institute. Once the products are launched five per cent of all sales will also go to the institute.
I’m honored to call Dr. #JaneGoodall a friend and business partner. Today we are announcing a partnership to co-develop @ForestRemedies products benefitting @JaneGoodallInst. Read more in today’s release and be on the lookout for a summer launch.
— Michael Cammarata (@mikecammarata) April 21, 2020
For every product sold the brand also plants one tree through its partnership with the environmental non-profit One Tree Planted, based in Vermont.
“The health of people, animals and the environment are interconnected. This pandemic demonstrates this. However, if we all make ethical choices, every day, our collective power for change is great. I believe there is still a window of time to heal the planet before it is too late, but only if we each make the right choices every day,” Goodall said.
Despite being 86, Goodall tirelessly globe-trots to promote environmentalism and sustainability some 300 days out of each year — during non- lockdown times of course.
Goodall, and the organization named after her, work endlessly to raise awareness of the potential catastrophic consequences of disrupting nature, which she says crowds animals (including humans) and viruses closer together.
This isn’t the first time Dr. Jane Goodall and Neptune Wellness Solutions CEO Michael Cammarata have partnered up. Press photo
This isn’t the first time Goodall has given her stamp of approval for one of Neptune CEO Michael Cammarata’s products.
“This marks my third partnership with Michael and reflects our mutual goal of enabling consumers to make ethical purchasing decisions to create a better world for all living things,” Goodall said.
In 2018, when Cammarata was the CEO of Schmidt’s Naturals, the duo paired up to help the world smell like Goodall. That is, they produced a Lily of the Valley-scented deodorant, which is Goodall’s favourite flower.
Five per cent of the sales of that product were also donated to the JGI.
There will be a spike in personal self-care while people around the world are stuck at home during the pandemic, and it is part of a business’s corporate responsibility to make products to meet that demand that also care for the planet, Cammarata said.
“I am delighted to partner with Dr. Goodall again to bring natural health and wellness products to market that will support our mutual goals of environmental conservation and reforestation, while at the same time delivering healthier consumer solutions,” he said.
Neptune’s stock has been on a steady rise since early April, returning to early March levels around Easter. The company was up 3.76 per cent to $2.76 a share at press time.
Top image of Jane Goodall talking to a crowd of 4,000 in Columbia, Missouri in 2014. Photo by Mark Schierbecker via Wikimedia Commons
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@missmishelle
