Green Finance
You might be financing the demise of the planet. $24 out of every $100 loaned by US megabanks is used to finance fossil fuels. Green investing, also known as sustainable or impact investing, can be very beneficial -- driving positive environmental and social change. It can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, potentially by a greater margin than individual lifestyle changes like reducing air travel or using renewable energy. According to a British wealth management firm, moving investments into "greener" funds can be: 20 times more effective than trading your gas-powered car for an electric one, or 57 times more effective than switching to a vegan diet.
Green investments can be just as, or even more, profitable than traditional investments. Studies and performance data show that sustainable strategies can match or outperform standard benchmarks. Factors like reduced risk, strong long-term growth, and alignment with societal trends contribute to the positive performance of green investments.
There are several very good references online to guide you. They focus on choices involving credits cards, checking and savings accounts, auto and homeowner insurance, and retirement investments as well as the steps to take to get started. A few include: Fossil Free California’s Move your Money, Green America, and the slides from Sustainable Rossmoor’s recent speaker Caedmon Bear.
Learn more by clicking on the links below:
Credit cards and green banks
Insurance Companies
Retirement Investments
Most guides advise that after research and study, you focus initially where it seems easiest, then take a few steps at a time. It can take well over a year to clean up all your finances. As you progress, you can feel increasingly good about making a meaningful contribution to a healthier planet.