Why Lush Cosmetics has launched a federal election campaign with GetUp! to try to save the Great Barrier Reef

Lush Cosmetics is getting political by partnering with activist group GetUp! for the first time to launching a campaign to push for action on climate change ahead of the federal election on July 2.

In the lead up to election day, Lush will offer customers at its 29 stores across Australia election cards that will outline where the major political parties stand in terms of responding to global warming and protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

Protecting the natural environment is a matter of responsibility for future generations, says Peta Granger, Lush Cosmetics director for Australia and New Zealand.

“Lush was founded by animal and environmental activists so we’ve always campaigned on these issues,”  Granger told SmartCompany

With more than 400 employees and over $36 million in annual turnover, Lush prides itself as being a brand with a social conscience.

In this campaign, Lush is hoping to make more voters aware of the rapid deterioration of the Great Barrier Reef and its global impact.

To have a fighting chance of saving the Reef, Granger says the next government will need to take action on stopping new fossil fuel projects.

It will also need to accelerate infrastructure development and the fast-track the uptake of clean energy.

“This is important to us because today 93% of the Great Barrier Reef has been affected by coral bleaching,” she says.

“The way we see it is we’re in a desperate race.”

This is Australia’s last election to help save cuties like these who call the reef home ?? @getup_australia #makeyourvotecount #savethereef #voteforthereef #turtles #greatbarrierreef #auspol #election2016

A photo posted by Lush Australia & New Zealand (@lush_ausnz) on Jun 22, 2016 at 11:16pm PDT

The Lush and GetUp! campaign is about raising awareness, says Granger.

“We have to empower voters to make informed choices,” she says.

There will also be iPads at Lush stores for customers interested in staying informed to sign up to receive more information from GetUp! This will give them relevant updates till its time to vote.

“The challenge and the opportunity this federal election is to continue driving broad scale demand on all parties,” Granger says.

Come election day, Granger and her team hope more people will be better educated on climate change issues and will use their votes to shift the current debate.

“The science is clear, it’s coal or coral,” she says.

“Who ever forms the next government needs to stop propping up the destructive coal industry.”

Granger also hopes the campaign will help Lush employees realise their power to make a difference.

“Our motivation is to empower voters and empower our staff to see they also can be agents of change,” she says.

“They can talk respectfully to customers about issues they care about.”