Natural Protection: Made with You and the Planet in Mind
True style doesn’t compromise. When you choose our FSC® Certified Natural Wood sunglasses, you’re choosing eyewear that does good and feels even better—on your face and in your heart. Protect your eyes. Respect the earth. It’s that simple.
Sunglasses are an essential piece of sun protection when you are exploring the outdoors. Here at Optic Nerve, we believe our eyewear can do more than protect your eyes. It can also help "safeguard the world's forests and tackle today's deforestation, climate, and biodiversity challenges." [1] We created our FSC® Certified Natural Wood Collection, in partnership with the Forest Stewardship Council, to tackle these challenges together.
What is FSC®?
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) was "founded in 1994 as a voluntary certification for sustainable forestry, promoting environmentally sound, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests." [2] Today, FSC operates as an organization that represents responsible and sustainable sourcing, and supply chain management, with "over 150 hectares of forest managed according to FSC Standards" [3]
Why Forests Matter
Forests provide more to us than just a beautiful backdrop to our favorite hikes, or shade on a sunny summer day. Forests "regulate our climate, clean the air we breathe, and filter the water we drink." [5] Beyond being a foundational part of Earth's ecosystem, forests also "provide habitat for more than two-thirds of terrestrial wildlife and plants." [5]
When we nurture forests, we fight climate change, prevent biodiversity loss, and protect workers and Indigenous communities around the world.
- FSC® Why Forests Matter
Protecting our forests is protecting our future. Wood is a renewable resource; however, we must use it with its entire lifecycle and impact in mind. The FSC® reports "the destruction of forests accounts for at least 10 per cent of annual carbon emissions."[6] As a necessary part of modern life, we cannot simply stop using this resource to try and reduce our overall carbon footprint. Fortunately, "when forests are responsibly managed biodiversity is maintained, the plants and trees within them can extract more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and slow climate change." [6]
Putting it in Perspective: Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs)
FSC® defines an Intact Forest Landscape (IFL) as:
a territory within today's global extent of forest cover which contains forest and non-forest ecosystems minimally influenced by human economic activity, with an area of at least 500km^2 (50,000 ha) and a minimal width of 10km (measured as the diameter of a circle that is entirely inscribed within the boundaries of the territory).
Here’s Denver as a reference:
The goal of defining and protecting IFLs is "to establish a single global level of protection of the IFL." [6] Identifying and protecting our remaining forest landscapes has allowed the FSC® to follow through on their commitment to develop and work with land managers to continually develop what good stewardship looks like.
Policy for Association
Our decade plus long partnership with our overseas vendor has always been a joint effort to find more sustainable resources to manufacture our products. In 2022, they facilitated access to FSC® approved raw materials and opened up an entirely new platform for construction.
What is the Policy for Association?
The FSC® Policy for Association is:
...a unique tool that allows [FSC®] to clearly define [our] ability to take such action against companies that engage in any one of the activities listed as unacceptable. These unacceptable activities are:
-
-
Deforestation
-
Destruction of High Conservation Value
-
Illegal logging and illegal trade of timber
-
Human and Traditional Rights violations
-
Workers' Rights Violations
-
Use of Genetically Modified Organisms
-
- FSC® Policy for Association
The FSC® also reports active investigations on companies that have engaged in any of these activities. If you want to see how the FSC® handles compliance, click here
FSC® Trace - Blockchain Technology
Tracing the origin of materials is a challenge, and the FSC® is leading innovation and trust in this field. Traditionally material origin information is tracked down through various transaction verification procedures, and investigations. These methods are effective, but done retroactively, allowing for bad actors to fault the system. By using blockchain technology, FSC® is able to move to a more proactive approach, guaranteeing material origin and authenticity, before it reaches customers. Read more about their blockchain innovations here.
Benefits of Natural Wood Sunglasses
True style doesn’t compromise. Our FSC® Certified Natural Wood sunglasses, you’re choosing eyewear that does good and feels even better—on your face and in your heart. Protect your eyes. Respect the earth. It’s that simple. Using sustainable materials will always be more beneficial for the environment, but there are other benefits to our FSC® Natural Wood Sunglasses. Sunglasses are an essential piece of sun protection when you are exploring the outdoors.
Fit and Feel
-
FSC® Wood Temples have a unique aesthetic, each with their own unique grain pattern
-
Premium Feel - the wood temples have depth to their hand, sturdy yet comfortably light
-
Spring Hinges - Elevated finish, durability and fit / geometry
Protection
-
100% UVA/B Protection
-
Polarized Lenses cut glare and improve clarity in bright conditions
-
Built with durability in mind - because sustainable products last
Styles that do it all
Mojo Filter Wood
A bold, edgy shape with mono-lens protection and sustainably sourced with wood temples.
Mashup Wood
Modern angles, best-selling frame shape, and an eco-conscious design that stands out.
Cruzin' Wood
Chill wayfarer style meets serious performance, great for everyday sun defense.