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> This act seems like a change of attitude for Yvon in some sense, based on what I recall from that film.

From everything I've read, Chouinard has been passionate about activism for a long time. I haven't seen "180deg South", but my understanding of the difference between Chouinard and Tompkins is that Chouinard tried to use Patagonia as a way to effect change, while Tompkins sold his company (North Face) and used the money to effect change. Their approaches differed, but they were both motivated towards activism for the environment.

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Here's the quote I'm thinking of from the movie. It's Yvon speaking of Doug, context is Doug's conservation efforts:

  > We're really really different, we have the same viewpoint of the world
  > and where it's going, different approach to it.  He's more bothered
  > probably about the end of society and mankind and stuff than I am
  > because he wants to do something about it.  And I, I'm just kind of a
  > laid back zen buddhist and just say well, y'know I'll do what I can,
  > and, so be it.

Thanks for digging up and pasting the quote. I think that's consistent with what my impression is, though. "we have the same viewpoint of the world and where it's going, different approach to it." and "y'know I'll do what I can, and, so be it." Chouinard is "doing what he can" and has been for a while. This is just the latest evolution of it. Patagonia has been contributing since to environmental causes since the 1980's and explicitly considering their environmental impact since at least the 1990's[0].

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvon_Chouinard#Patagonia_and_e...