Banking for GoodEmpty heading

Banks and credit unions can use your money in ways that align with your values – or not. Where you put your money has an impact.

Watch the video below to learn how three financial institutions are investing in a more sustainable and equitable world through small business, affordable housing, public works, and more.

Featured institutions include Beneficial State Bank, Self-Help Credit Union, and Adelphi Bank. You’ll also be introduced to Hip Hop Caucus' Bank Black and Green program as well as Green America’s upgraded Get a Better Bank map

Why You Should Switch Banks

Benefits of switching to a community development bank or credit union include:

They invest in their local economy – things like mortgages and small business.
They have more accountability to individual customer members, not shareholders.
They provide financial services to low-income individuals and/or supply capital for small businesses, affordable housing, and education facilities.
Banks and credit unions dedicated to community development help create good local jobs.
They may support clean energy, fair labor, and food security in food deserts.

Get a Better BankEmpty heading

To help you find a better bank or credit union, Green America has created the Get a Better Bank map. This new website lists over 3,000 banks and credit unions - with almost 17,000 locations - whose mission is to build their communities.

The map is fully searchable by name and location. You can also find online-only banks and credit unions, as well as information about why and how to switch banks, and learn more about how we selected the institutions listed.

Green America's mission is to harnesses the economic power and strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace in order to create a socially just and sustainable world. Learn more about our finance work here, including responsible credit cards and socially-responsible investing.

Soil & Climate Initiative (SCI) | Program Implementation
Hours: Full-time (4 days, 32 hrs. per week)
Salary & Benefits:  $62,000 -$67,000 with excellent benefits; grant program track
Location: Mississippi Delta Region (Required)
Reports to: Senior Manager, Farm Transition Services

The Background

Delta Regen Rice+ is a regionally-based collaboration to regenerate soil, build farmer prosperity and boost regenerative agriculture markets in the Delta, starting with rice. 

Formally launching in November 2025, Delta Regen Rice+ is a program of the Soil & Climate Initiative. SCI is a farmer-first holistic farm-to-shelf regenerative agriculture transition program with options for 3^rd party verification. www.soilclimateinitiative.org

SCI seeks a Farm Program Specialist to work with farmers in the Delta Region who wish to transition to regenerative agriculture and be part of a dynamic program to build markets for rice and other regeneratively-grown products in the Delta. You’ll join our growing, passionate SCI Team, (www.soilclimateinitiative.org/team), which includes two colleagues who work and farm in Arkansas, along with Delta Regen Rice+ founding farmers, who are already engaged in pilots in the region.

The Opportunity

Support the transformation of agriculture in the Mississippi Delta as the operational backbone of our regenerative agriculture transition program. As SCI’s Farm Program Specialist, you'll ensure program excellence through meticulous compliance management and farmer coordination, directly enabling the success of farmers transitioning from conventional to regenerative practices.

Working primarily with rice farming operations across the Delta, you'll be the essential link between farmers and our technical support team, ensuring documentation is complete, requirements are met, and farmers receive the coordinated support they need. This role places you at the operational heart of a movement to prove that farming can be a powerful solution to climate change while supporting thriving agricultural communities.

Your Impact

Deliver Program Excellence through Effective Farmer Engagement (60%)

Serve as the primary farm program account manager, tracking farmer progress across the Delta Regen Rice+ Project and other verification-oriented initiatives. You'll build strong working relationships with our farmer participants and proactively support them in their program participation by: building trust and buy-in for the program, identifying missing documentation, co-developing technical support packages suited to participants' individual needs, and maintaining comprehensive tracking systems that ensure program quality and farmer success.

Enable Strategic Program Coordination (25%)

Transform expert consultations into actionable resources by adapting farmer interview transcripts into farm plans, soil health reports, field activity logs, and completed SCI forms. Your document generation and administrative coordination will ensure all materials are clear, actionable, and properly formatted, directly supporting farmers in their regenerative transition journey.

Facilitate Learning and Engagement (15%)

Coordinate the logistics that make learning possible by scheduling farm plan consultations, webinars, office hours, and field days. You'll coordinate group learning sessions and farmer working groups, ensuring farmers have access to the peer networks and educational resources that drive successful transitions to regenerative practices.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications:

• Experience working with farmers, agricultural producers, and/or rural communities
• 5+ years of experience in program coordination, compliance management, or administrative roles requiring systematic tracking
• Exceptional organizational abilities with demonstrated experience managing complex documentation and compliance systems
• Strong attention to detail and ability to track multiple requirements across large portfolios
• Experience coordinating schedules and communications between multiple stakeholders
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, CRM systems, and database management
• Systematic approach to process management and ability to maintain accurate records
• Comfort with technology and ability to learn new platforms
• Must be located in or willing to relocate to the Mississippi Delta region

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with agricultural data collection or certification processes
• Previous experience coordinating multi-stakeholder projects or programs
• Background in compliance management, quality assurance, or regulatory tracking

Essential Skills:

• Ability to manage complex documentation systems while maintaining high service standards
• Strong interpersonal skills for coordinating between diverse stakeholders including farmers and technical experts
• Capacity to transform technical information into clear, actionable resources for farmer participants
• Please note, we recognize that experience doesn't always look the same – skills are transferable, and passion is important. Please tell us how your experience can lead to success in this position.

Ready to Transform Agriculture?

Join us in building relationships with the Delta Regen Rice+ farmers and providing the  operational excellence that makes regenerative agriculture transitions successful. This role offers the opportunity to directly support farmers while contributing to systemic change in one of America's most important agricultural regions.

More about Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive salary between $62-67,000 annually, commensurate with experience
• Full benefits package including employer-sponsored health insurance, retirement, and generous vacation and sick leave
• Professional development opportunities
• 4-day work week
• Remote work flexibility

To Apply: Please email your one-page cover letter and one-page resume highlighting relevant experience in program coordination, account management, and agricultural support services to hiring [at] soilclimateinitiative [dot] org

Applications should demonstrate exceptional relationship building and organizational abilities, systematic tracking experience, and passion for supporting farmers transitioning to regenerative agriculture.

Application Deadline: September 29^th, 2025

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The Soil & Climate Initiative is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination regarding: actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding, or reproductive health disorders), age (18 years of age or older), marital status (including domestic partnership and parenthood), personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, political affiliation, citizenship status, credit information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Harassment based on a protected characteristic is included as a form of discrimination and is strictly prohibited.

Soil & Climate Initiative (SCI) | Program Development & Implementation
Hours: Full-time (4 days, 32 hrs. per week)
Compensation: $85,000 - $90,000 annually, excellent benefits; grant program track
Location: Mississippi Delta Region (Required)
Reports to: Managing Director, Soil & Climate Initiative

The Background

Delta Regen Rice+ is a regionally-based collaboration to regenerate soil, build farmer prosperity and boost regenerative agriculture markets in the Delta, starting with rice. 

Formally launching in November 2025, Delta Regen Rice+ is a program of the Soil & Climate Initiative. SCI is a farmer-first holistic farm-to-shelf regenerative agriculture transition program with options for 3^rd party verification. www.soilclimateinitiative.org

SCI seeks a Delta Regen Rice+ Program Director to build this market-based collaboration and work with its key stakeholders in the Delta Region – farmers, processors, buyers, technical specialists and more – who wish to transition to regenerative agriculture and be part of a dynamic program to build markets for rice and other regeneratively-grown products in the Delta. 

You’ll join our growing, dynamic SCI Team, which will include a dedicated Delta-based farm program specialist.  Meet our team (www.soilclimateinitiative.org/team), which includes two colleagues who work and farm in Arkansas, along with Delta Regen Rice+ founding farmers, who are already engaged in pilots in the region.

The Opportunity

Lead the transformation of agriculture in the Mississippi Delta. As the Delta Rice+ Program Director at the Soil & Climate Initiative, you'll spearhead our strategic expansion into this critical agricultural region, driving the transition from conventional to regenerative farming practices that restore soil health, sequester carbon, and strengthen rural communities.

Starting with rice farming operations across the Delta, you'll build the partnerships, systems, and market connections that make regenerative agriculture both environmentally beneficial and economically viable. This role places you at the center of a movement to prove that farming can be a powerful solution to climate change while supporting thriving agricultural communities.

Your Impact

Drive Regional Transformation

Lead the Delta Regen Rice+ Program from pilot phase through full-scale implementation. You'll work directly with farmers to transition thousands of acres to regenerative practices, creating measurable impact on soil health, carbon sequestration, and farm profitability across the region.

Build Strategic Partnerships

Develop and manage relationships with processors, CPGs, and supply chain partners to create market incentives and access for regeneratively grown crops. Your partnership strategies will provide the economic foundation that makes regenerative transition sustainable for farmers.

Manage Stakeholder Relationships

Oversee a comprehensive portfolio of program participants and agricultural value chain stakeholders. Ensure high-quality program delivery while advancing our mission through strategic relationship management and farmer support services coordination.

Secure Growth Resources

Collaborate with Growth & Impact and Grants & Partnerships teams to identify and secure funding sources and strategic partnerships. Drive program expansion to reach more farmers and convert additional acres through effective resource mobilization.

Lead Impact Measurement

Direct cross-functional efforts for data collection, analysis, and reporting to farmers, partners, and funders. Ensure program impact is accurately measured, documented, and communicated to support continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of experience working with farmers and/or food companies
• Experience with regenerative, organic, or biologically-based agricultural systems
• Strong understanding of agricultural supply chains, from processors to brands
• Strong project management and team leadership skills
• Proven business and client development experience
• Must be located in or willing to relocate to the Mississippi Delta region

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with certification or verification procedures in agricultural settings
• Experience with facilitative leadership and multi-stakeholder networks
• Strong research, writing, and speaking skills
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree or directly related work experience

Essential Skills:

• Ability to discuss complex sustainability and agricultural issues with diverse stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships with senior executives and agricultural leaders
• Capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high service standards
• Please note, we recognize that experience doesn't always look the same – skills are transferable, and passion is important. Please tell us how your experience can lead to success in this position.

Ready to Transform Agriculture?

Join us in proving that regenerative agriculture can revitalize rural communities while addressing climate change. This role offers the unique opportunity to lead systemic change in one of America's most important agricultural regions.

More about Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive salary between $85-90,000 annually, commensurate with experience
• Full benefits package including employer-sponsored health insurance, retirement, and generous PTO
• Professional development opportunities
• 4-day work week
• Remote work flexibility

To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to: hiring [at] soilclimateinitiative [dot] org

Application Deadline: September 29^th, 2025

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The Soil & Climate Initiative is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination regarding: actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding, or reproductive health disorders), age (18 years of age or older), marital status (including domestic partnership and parenthood), personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, political affiliation, citizenship status, credit information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Harassment on the basis of a protected characteristic is included as a form of discrimination and is strictly prohibited.

By Mathilda DeCosse, volunteer, and Todd Larsen, Executive Co-Director

Time is running out to benefit from federal tax credits for installing residential solar power that are available thanks to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. With the passage of the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” residential solar power systems need to be installed and likely placed in service by December 31, 2025 in order to qualify for the up to 30% solar tax credit in 2025. It’s unclear whether or not the credit may apply to systems that are installed but not in operation by December 31, but to be on the safe side, your system should be operational by the end of the year.

The tax credit has helped make the cost of solar panel installation less expensive for homeowners. With the credit, the average panel installation cost is about $20,000.  Without it, people will have to pay thousands of dollars more.

There are still individual state or local incentives for installing solar panels that may still help reduce the cost of installing solar panels after December 31, but losing the federal tax credit is still a big hit to homeowners and sustainable energy efforts.

Installing solar panels makes sense for many homes. Homeowners save money on their electric bills and those savings can pay back the cost of installing panels within 7-10 years—with the rebate in place.  Without the rebate, that payback period will be longer.

And there are the environmental benefits of installing solar power—the more our homes are powered by solar, the less we rely on the fossil fuel industry which continues to be one of the major drivers of climate change.

To qualify for the installation tax credit by the December 31 deadline, here’s what you should know:

Should I purchase the panels or lease them?

The credit is only available for purchased solar panels. Purchasing solar panels has several benefits, but the most important is that you will receive the entire benefit of your reduced electric bill throughout the life of the panels, which can last 25 years or longer.

If you do not have enough funds available to pay for panels outright, and can’t or don’t want to finance the cost of panels, solar leasing is an option.

With a lease, you pay $0 upfront to have panels installed, and the company that leases you the panels pays for repairs. But, the company that leases you the panels owns them throughout the lease, which lasts 15-25 years.  During that time, you will pay a monthly fee to the company that installed the panels, which will eat into any savings you see on your electric bill.  Also, it is very difficult to end a lease, and if you sell your home, you may need to arrange to have the panels installed on your next house (if you are moving locally) or try to get the new buyer to assume the lease.

Another option to finance solar is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)  Similar to a lease, you have little to no upfront costs or maintenance but you do not actually own the equipment. In most cases this means the homeowner buys the energy produced by the solar panels at a fixed rate from a company that owns and pays for the panels. Separately, the home owner will still pay for any additional electricity that they need from their local utility. PPA’s are less common than leases since they are only allowed in certain states.

How do I choose an installer to work with?  What red flags should I look for?

As the window to benefit from these federal tax credits rapidly closes, there is a real risk of unethical companies coming by and trying to push you to install panels quickly.  

Fraud in the residential solar sector increased dramatically in recent years.  Door to door salespeople may overinflate the savings to be gained by rooftop solar and lock unwary customers into predatory loans.  In some cases, companies engage in shoddy work and even install non-functioning systems.

To protect yourself, it pays to do your homework:

1. Ask local homeowners who installed solar if they were satisfied with their contractor.  Reach out to companies that several people recommend.
2. Be careful when searching online.  Look for credible options.  For example, installers that belong to the cooperative Amicus Solar are certified B Corps that partner with lenders like Clean Energy Credit Union ( community development financial institution) to obtain financing.
3. You can search for qualified solar contractors in your area by using Energy Sage, which provides competing quotes from several solar installers near you.  
4. Make sure to look online at reviews, and if your state has an ethics pledge for solar installers, make sure the company has signed the pledge.

What are typical solar installation costs? 

Solar Panels can range from $15,000 to $35,000 upfront without tax incentives. Ongoing maintenance can be $300-$500 each year, excluding any necessary replacements. For example, inverters are a part that often needs to be replaced at least once during a system’s lifetime.

The upfront cost of installation includes the price of the physical equipment, such as panels (6kW system: $7,000), inverters ($1,000- $6,000), and mounting hardware ($800), as well as installation costs, which are often priced according to the system being used. People should expect to pay around 20% of the system cost for installation.

How can I obtain financing that’s on the up and up?

Cash will always be the “cheapest” way to finance solar panels in terms of overall cost. But not everyone will have $25,000 available! 

The most common options to borrow money are loans and installer financing. Loans can be granted through state programs (such as Property Assessed Financing), finance companies, or local  bank or credit union solar loans. Installer financing often offers lower rates but may have higher origination fees. Many of these also require credit scores above 650.

Be careful if you are considering Property Assessed Financing as the source of your loan.  A property lien will be placed on your home and your property tax bill will increase to pay back the loan. Your mortgage lender may prohibit such loans.

When obtaining financing, beware any mention of “free” products and services, along with anyone who says that the government will pay for your solar—it will not. Another warning sign is when a company suggests using tax credits to pay for solar without checking your eligibility. You should get a paper copy of any transactions, deals, or contracts. If you are not provided with these, the offer is a scam.

When financing, do not feel restricted to use the financing of the salesperson. You might be able to get a better deal by getting a loan from a bank or credit union. Explore lenders and find the best deal with low interest rates, lender fees and good terms. You could use our Get a Better Bank site to find local community development banks and credit unions near you that offer homeowner loans.

What should I expect for the installation process?

Generally, to place solar on your home, you will need to obtain a permit from your local government and undergo an inspection. Detailed permit fees and requirements vary heavily across jurisdictions. Residential solar permits typically take several weeks but some areas may grant them in a few days, so do your research and plan your timeline accordingly. 

On the flip side, some areas may take months to approve a solar permit. Permit fees usually cost about $150-$300. After obtaining a permit, the physical solar installation typically only takes about two days. Once the system is installed, it must be inspected by your local utility and a municipal inspector, and connected to the grid to begin producing electricity. These final steps may take a few weeks. 

Delays in physical installation are typically caused by issues such as unsuitable weather, unsafe conditions, or roof complexity. Though annoying, these complications are often resolved in a few days. Longer delays are often caused by time-consuming permit processes. 

Are there states that support rooftop solar?

Many states, municipalities, and utilities provide rebates or credits for solar installation. Check the Unbound Solar site to see if there are incentives where you live.

What should I know about basic maintenance?

When cleaning, avoid kneeling or walking on the panels, as that could damage the mechanism. Never clean on a hot day as the sudden temperature change of water on the panels can cause cracking. Cleaning on cloudier days or in the morning is recommended to reduce risk of temperature shock.

For smaller solar panel systems, cleaning is not often required. Rain can usually get the job done. If your area is experiencing a dry spell, cleaning might be needed to clear the dust and debris collecting on the panels. If panels are mounted horizontally, this will also require more frequent cleaning. No matter the situation, solar panels should be cleaned at least twice a year.

If there is an electrical problem with the system, reach out to the system provider. Getting little to no energy even when it is sunny is a telltale sign of a damaged circuit.

What if rooftop solar isn’t an option for me?

If you live in an apartment building, or a house that is shaded by trees, solar is not a good option for you.  But you may still be able to take part in advancing solar power by signing up for a community solar project.  Community solar projects are larger-scale installations of solar panels located in your community.  You take part by subscribing to the project, which can result in lower electric bills for you, while supporting the transition to solar energy.  You can see if community solar is an option in your state here.

You can also take action to make your home more efficient by adding insulation, fixing drafty windows or doors, and installing more efficient air conditioners or furnaces.  These fixes are often simpler than installing solar, but to receive federal tax credits (up to 30% of the costs) the work must be in progress by December 31, 2025.

And, if you want to receive a federal tax credit for the purchase of an electric vehicle and charging station, you must make your purchase by September 30, 2025.

A resource for beginners: Take charge of your finances in four areas - banking, credit cards, property insurance, and investing.

Part Time Fellow, Nutrient Density Alliance 
Salary:  12-13 hours /week at $32-$35/hour  
Reports to:  NDA Managing Director, Mary Purdy 
Remote. Flexible work schedule. Fellow positions do not include benefits.  
 

This is a part-time Program Associate role with strong potential to grow. We are seeking a dynamic candidate with exceptional project management and stakeholder engagement skills. While the initial focus will be on administrative and coordination support, we envision this position expanding into deeper program engagement, strategic contributions, and leadership opportunities as the Alliance evolves. We welcome your ideas, problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking too. This is an exciting chance to be part of a mission-driven team working at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, nutrition, and public health, with room to develop skills and responsibilities over time. 

Green America is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a just and sustainable society by harnessing economic power for positive change. Our unique approach involves working with consumers, investors and businesses to create a world that works for all. We deploy marketplace solutions to solve the most pressing social justice and environmental problems facing society today. Green America’s Center for Sustainability Solutions focuses on bringing together focused multi-stakeholder innovation networks with the objective of making significant, industry-wide system change. 

The Nutrient Density Alliance is an initiative of Green America’s Center for Sustainability Solutions.  Our mission is to ignite awareness and mobilize action around the nutritional benefits and improved food quality that result from soil-building regenerative agriculture. We aim to drive demand for a more sustainable food system and improve human health outcomes for all. 

We collaborate with a diverse network of stakeholders in the food and agriculture sector, including food brands, farmers, ranchers, communications professionals, regenerative agriculture advocates, nutrition and health care practitioners, and Food is Medicine programs. Together, we work to make the vital connection between soil health and nutrient density clear, compelling, and actionable. 

NDA team members can choose to work remotely or in our Washington, DC office. This position could involve occasional travel including to Network meetings, conferences and business cultivation meetings, staff training, Green America’s annual staff and board retreat and other stakeholder engagement meetings.   
 

Key Responsibilities 

Program & Event Support 

• Help design, plan, and execute network meetings, webinars, and working groups (virtual and in-person), including speaker coordination, session development, and participant communications. 

• Ensure events run smoothly through clear communications, organized logistics, and timely follow-up with stakeholders. 

• Translate discussions and working group activities into actionable next steps and shared resources for members. 

• Support the Managing Director in coordinating, tracking, and amplifying speaking engagements (both virtual and in-person), including logistics, scheduling, communications, and post-event follow-up to maximize visibility and impact. 

Communications & Knowledge Management 

• Assist in developing messaging that clearly communicates the connection between soil health, nutrient density, and human health to diverse audiences. 

• Document processes, key learnings, and successful strategies to strengthen the organization’s institutional knowledge. 

• Leverage social media and other digital platforms to share stories, resources, and event highlights, helping amplify the organization’s message and engage wider audiences. 

• Collaborate with Green America colleagues to ensure consistent and aligned communications across programs. 

Member & Partner Engagement 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with members, partners, and prospective collaborators across sectors including food brands, producers, nutrition and health professionals, and Food is Medicine initiatives. 

• Connect members with relevant resources, expertise, and networking opportunities. 

• Support the creation and delivery of compelling content  (newsletters, event follow-ups, member updates)  that highlight the value and impact of participation in the Alliance. 

• Maintain ongoing conversation tracking and conduct targeted outreach to current and prospective members and partners to advance project objectives and maintain engagement. 

Strategic Contributions & Thought Partnership 

• Monitor and synthesize trends, research, and policy developments in regenerative agriculture, nutrient density, and sustainable food systems; provide regular updates and recommendations to the Managing Director. 

• Proactively identify opportunities for the Alliance to participate in events, collaborations, and thought leadership that advance our mission and visibility. 

• Contribute to strategic planning and organizational development efforts, ensuring alignment between daily activities and long-term goals. 

• Assist in shaping narratives and messaging that articulate the link between soil health, nutrient density, and public health to multiple audiences. 

Qualifications 

• Minimum 3–5 years of professional experience in program coordination, partnership development, stakeholder engagement, or related work in the nonprofit, advocacy, or sustainable food systems space. 

• Foundational knowledge of regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems; demonstrated interest in the role of nutrition and nutrient density in human health. 

• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to evolving circumstances. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling messages. 

• Demonstrated interest and/or experience in research, trend monitoring, or knowledge synthesis, especially in agriculture, health, or sustainability fields. 

• Comfort with digital tools including Zoom, Squarespace, email marketing platforms, and event management systems; experience with budget tracking a plus. 

• Preference for familiarity with CRM’s such as Salesforce, Zoho etc.  

• Collaborative, proactive, and resourceful, with the ability to work independently while contributing to a team-driven mission. 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. 

• Please note, we recognize that experience doesn't always look the same – skills are transferable, and passion is important. Please tell us how your experience can lead to success in this position.   

How to Apply 

• To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter and an example of external written communication to hiring@nutrientdensityalliance.org by September 5. 

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Green America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination regarding: actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding, or reproductive health disorders), age (18 years of age or older), marital status (including domestic partnership and parenthood), personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, political affiliation, citizenship status, credit information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Harassment on the basis of a protected characteristic is included as a form of discrimination and is strictly prohibited.

Tech Giants Google, Meta, Amazon and Microsoft to Hear from Front-Line Communities and Consumers Demanding Clean Energy, Efficiency and Transparency. 

WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 26, 2025 – Green America launched a new consumer campaign to call on AI companies to use 100% renewable energy instead of driving fossil fuel demand, re-starting old nuclear reactors, creating more pollution and increasing energy rates for ratepayers. The new Dirty Data: Stop Big AI From Polluting Our Climate & Communities campaign will also push companies to listen to families and stakeholders living near proposed data centers and fossil fuel power plants, and to give them a say over their own exposure to health burdens from data center and air pollution. 

AI already consumes enough electricity to power 7 million American homes, and communities are paying the price to feed the demand. Largely due to new energy-greedy data centers, electricity costs $500 more annually for families in Georgia, while Oregon residents saw 50% rate hikes. Families near data centers also experience increased noise, congestion, and pollution.   

Dan Howells, Climate Campaigns director at Green America, said: “There is a lot of excitement about artificial intelligence and its potential to make all our lives better. But for all the benefits, AI comes with a big environmental cost. So, the choices companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft make are critical. They could choose a new clean energy future and not return to a dangerous and dirty energy past. In order for the AI revolution to really be intelligent, it must be powered by renewables.” 

Triple Threat: Coal, Natural Gas, and Nukes 

AI is a major driver of polluting and dangerous power plants nationwide. It is so power-hungry that utilities are keeping coal-fired power plants that were slated for closure running to meet the needs of massive servers. 

Natural gas is a new go-to energy source for AI. In the American South alone, there are plans for 20 gigawatts of new natural-gas power plants over the next 15 years—enough to power millions of homes—to feed AI’s energy needs. 

Tech companies are also turning to nuclear power—with Microsoft and Meta re-opening or expanding nuclear plants.  And both Google and Amazon are investing in small nuclear reactors.    

Nuclear power has many downsides, including safety issues, the problems with nuclear waste disposal, and cost overruns and delays, and is unlikely to meet AI’s soaring energy needs— which means even more reliance on fossil fuels unless tech titans ramp up renewable energy fast. 

Driving Climate Chaos 

Major corporations must  reduce their emissions to keep the world from warming more than 1.5 degrees, and yet carbon emissions from major tech companies in 2023 have skyrocketed to  150% of their average  2020 values: 

• Operational emissions grew to 182% of 2020 values for Amazon 

• 155% for Microsoft 

• 145% for Meta 

• 138% for Google 

All four tech giants previously made major climate commitments and pledged to use 100% renewable energy. By spending billions of dollars on AI, they are breaking their promise to use 100% renewable energy and furthering the climate and energy crises. 

Meanwhile, other industries reliant on data servers are making progress on climate. For example, emissions from large telecom companies decreased to 94% of 2020 values.  Green America’s “Hang Up on Fossil Fuels” campaign urged telecoms to switch to 100% renewable energy and their resulting use of wind and solar power has lowered their carbon footprint.  Progress is possible! 

Your Voice Powers the Energy Revolution 

The Dirty Data campaign will mobilize Green America members and people around the country to ensure AI becomes a force for climate solutions, not climate destruction. The campaign will demand that tech giants: 

• Build Smart, Build Clean 
  Data centers should go where they won’t harm communities. Many existing data centers create more noise, pollution, and congestion for underserved neighborhoods already dealing with unsafe and unhealthy conditions. Communities should be fully involved in the placement process to ensure everyone benefits from data center construction. 

• Put Efficiency First 
  Design AI programs to do more with less energy—more efficient chips and processing. No more wasteful computing when lives and our climate are on the line. 

• Zero Fossil Fuels, No Nukes, Period 
  Every aspect of AI processing must run on clean energy—no coal, no gas, no nuclear. We don’t lack the right technology, just corporate commitment and accountability. 

• Community Power 
  Listen to families living near proposed data centers and power sources and give them a say—they deserve transparency, pollution protection, and fair electricity rates that don't subsidize corporate energy consumption.  

• Transparency 

Major AI companies are building more and bigger data centers without being fully transparent about issues like the electricity and water needed to run them. If these companies are to be good neighbors and take responsibility for the pollution generated from fossil fuels, they first need to be honest about the scope and scale of the problem. 

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MEDIA CONTACT: Max Karlin for Green America, (703) 276-3255 or mkarlin@hastingsgroupmedia.com.  

ABOUT  

Green America is the nation’s leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today’s social and environmental problems. http://www.GreenAmerica.org  

AI is supposed to be the future. But it's being powered by the past.  

Artificial Intelligence is generating tons of buzz. It can do everything from helping students write an essay to helping doctors diagnose diseases. But there’s another “buzz” AI is generating and that buzz you hear is coming from restarting coal and natural gas power plants, and building new gas plants, to feed the energy greed of the data centers. And in some cases, companies are extending the life of existing plants -- including 3 Mile Island! --  and planning new nukes.  

Major tech companies including Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Amazon are embracing AI as the best of what is to come. And they plan on profiting handsomely.  

But all that profit comes at a deep, deep cost.  

• The power being generated is polluting communities near power plants and the data centers. Many of these power plants are in low-income communities leading to more negative health effects, including air and noise pollution, in places that are already polluted.  

• Instead of decreasing climate pollution as most of the companies pledged to do, their emissions are increasing. The World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN agency for digital technologies, report that the operational emissions of the four most prominent AI-focused technology companies increased by an average of 150% from 2020 to 2023.  

• AI’s demand for energy is driving up electric rates across the country.  Rates could surge by 20% this summer and there could be power shortages as utilities struggle to meet increased demand from data centers. 

• AI has a growing hunger for electricity. By 2028, the researchers estimate, the power going to AI-specific purposes will rise to between 165 and 326 terawatt-hours per year. That’s more than all electricity currently used by US data centers for all purposes; it’s enough to power 22% of US households each year. That could generate the same emissions as driving over 300 billion miles—over 1,600 round trips to the sun from Earth.   

• AI has a great thirst for water too. In some places, local residents are reporting that their taps are running dry from data centers taking all the water. And this thirst is only projected to increase. 

• Besides the pollution and climate issues AI has many other problems as well including but not limited to copyright and privacy issues. AI has been shown to have bias and discrimination issues as well. 

When it comes to the costs to society from all the pollution, there are solutions that can mitigate them. Solar, wind and battery storage are the cheapest sources of energy, and they don’t produce local pollution or climate emissions. 

And these Big Tech companies know it. Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Amazon already use renewable energy for much of their needs. But more must be done to ramp up renewable energy purchases and improve the efficiency of AI to reduce energy needs. And if these companies don’t take the lead, AI energy demand will only take us back to the days of more pollution and to a future where climate change is significantly  worse.  

Green America is pushing Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies to use renewable energy so communities aren’t polluted and climate change isn’t made worse by fossil fuels they plan to use.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming our world at lightning speed, but the current costs to our climate and communities are unsustainable and unacceptable. AI's massive energy appetite could either accelerate the climate crisis and pollute our planet OR supercharge our renewable energy future, where communities have a real voice in how and where AI facilities are built.  

Among the companies using AI are four giants that previously made major climate commitments and pledged to use 100% renewable energy: Google, Meta,  Amazon, and Microsoft. By spending billions of dollars on AI, they are breaking their promise to use 100% renewable energy and furthering our climate and energy crises.  

AI’s enormous energy needs are driving fossil fuels demand, re-starting nukes, and creating greater pollution and higher energy rates for communities nationwide. 

But it doesn’t have to be this way. AI could be powered by renewable energy that is non-polluting and works to reduce energy costs for us all. AI could use energy that is clean and just. 

AI’s huge power appetite 

AI already consumes enough electricity to power 7 million American homes—by 2028, that could jump to the amount of power needed for 22% of all US households.  

And American communities are paying the price to feed AI: electricity costs $500 more annually for families in Georgia, while Oregon residents saw 50% rate hikes—largely due to energy-greedy data centers. Families near data centers experience increased noise, congestion, and pollution.   

Triple Threat: Coal, Natural Gas, and Nukes 

AI is a major driver of polluting and dangerous power plants nationwide. 

It is so power hungry that utilities are keeping coal-fired power plants that were slated for closure running to meet the needs of massive servers. 

Natural gas is a go-to new energy source for AI. In the American South alone, there are plans for 20 gigawatts of new natural-gas power plants over the next 15 years—enough to power millions of homes—to feed AI’s energy needs. 

Tech titans are also turning to nuclear power—Microsoft and Meta re-opening or expanding nuclear plants.  And both Google and Amazon are investing in small nuclear reactors.    

Nuclear power has many downsides, including safety issues, the problems with nuclear waste disposal, and cost overruns and delays, and is unlikely to meet AI’s soaring energy needs— which means even more reliance on fossil fuels unless tech titans ramp up renewable energy fast. 

Driving Climate Chaos 

All those fossil fuels from coal and natural gas plants will have a huge climate impact! 

We need all major corporations to reduce their emissions to keep the world from warming more than 1.5 degrees, and yet carbon emissions from major tech companies in 2023 have skyrocketed to 150% of average 2020 values: 

• Operational emissions grew to 182% of 2020 values for Amazon 
• 155% for Microsoft 
• 145% for Meta 
• 138% for Google 

Meanwhile, other industries reliant on data servers are making progress on climate. For example, emissions from large telecom companies decreased to 94% of 2020 values.  Green America’s Hang Up on Fossil Fuels campaign urged telecoms to switch to 100% renewable energy and their resulting use of wind and solar power has lower their carbon footprint.  Progress is possible! 

Expanding Nationwide 

AI data centers are cropping up all over the country.  As demand for AI grows, the number of data centers nationwide will grow dramatically as well. 

Local Impacts 

And what does all this firing up of dirty energy mean for local communities?  

The communities near the power plants and the data centers are forced to deal with air, noise, and water pollution.  And some people are finding that their taps are literally running dry because data centers are using all the ground water where they live. 

Chicago-based airline pilot Joshua Zhang told CBS News in 2021 that a new data center in his Printers’ Row neighborhood whines like a gigantic vacuum cleaner that never shuts off. “I try to fly as much as I can to stay away from here,” he said. “I can’t really sleep well… and I have to operate a flight.” 

On top of all that, electric rates near data centers are going up fast— and projected to rise much faster.  An analysis by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse found that: 

• Mid-Atlantic States will see 11-19% bill increases this year. 

• Entergy Louisiana is projecting a 90% increase in rates by 2030. 

• Yearly power bills have gone up $500 for the average Georgian since 2023. 

• Oregon residential rates have increased 50% in the last five years. 

We are increasingly paying for AI’s growing need for power in our electric bills, and it’s projected to get much worse. 

Big Tech Has the Money to Do Better 

The tech titans are raking in the profits. They have the money to invest in renewable energy: 

• Google: revenues were $350 billion in 2024, with a net income of $100.1 billion. 

• Meta: revenues were $164.5 billion in in 2024 with net income of $62.4 billion 

• Amazon: $638 billion in revenue for 2024  with $59.2 billion in net income. 

• Microsoft: revenues were a record $262 Billion in 2024 with net income of $93 Billion. 

The Solutions Are at Hand 

We don’t need to wait for renewables to power AI's future sustainably. Solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage are already the cheapest and fastest ways to meet this exploding energy demand. The Department of Energy confirms renewable technologies could deliver hundreds of gigawatts by the 2030s. 

Advanced battery storage also means data centers can run on 100% clean energy 24/7—storing sunshine and wind power to feed AI systems when needed, without a single blackout. These are some of the wealthiest and most sophisticated companies on Earth. They have the resources and must be held accountable. 

And tech titans can boost renewable energy that advances energy justice – creating high paying jobs, supporting local communities, lowering energy costs, and ensuring that the people and communities manufacturing solar, wind, and battery storage technologies are treat well. 

Your Voice Powers the Energy Revolution 

Tech companies won’t take action unless they feel the pressure. 

Green America is mobilizing our members and people around the country to ensure AI becomes a force for climate solutions, not climate destruction. Together, we're demanding that tech giants: 

• Build Smart, Build Clean 
  Data centers should go where they won’t harm communities. Many existing data centers create more noise, pollution, and congestion for underserved neighborhoods already dealing with unsafe and unhealthy conditions. Communities should be fully involved in the placement process to ensure everyone benefits from data center construction. 

• Put Efficiency First 
  Design AI programs to do more with less energy—more efficient chips and processing. No more wasteful computing when lives and our climate are on the line. 

• Zero Fossil Fuels, No Nukes, Period 
  Every aspect of AI processing must run on clean energy—no coal, no gas, no nuclear. We don’t lack the right technology, just corporate commitment and accountability. 

• Community Power 
  Listen to families living near proposed data centers and power sources and give them a say—they deserve transparency, pollution protection, and fair electricity rates that don't subsidize corporate energy consumption.  
• Transparency 
  Major AI companies are building more and bigger data centers without being fully transparent about issues like the electricity and water needed to run them. If these companies are to be good neighbors and take responsibility for the pollution generated from fossil fuels, they first need to be honest about the scope and scale of the problem. 

Action Matters  

Every time you call for renewable-powered AI, you're helping write the next chapter of both technology and climate progress. We have a great track record in driving the renewable energy future by getting Amazon and the telecoms to make historic corporate purchases of solar and wind.  Now we need to do the same for AI.  Amazon, Meta, Google (Alphabet), and Microsoft have all made massive renewable energy purchases in the past, with public pressure, they will do so again. 

If tech giants insist on pushing AI forward, let's make sure we direct it toward the just and sustainable future we all deserve. 

Ready to reshape how AI technology serves our planet’s climate and our communities?  All year long, stay tuned for our “Dirty Data: Stop Big AI from polluting our climate & communities” campaign calls to action.  Together, we got the entire telecoms industry to make massive renewable energy commitments – let’s do it again with AI.   

TAKE ACTION NOW

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Is water in a box really better for the environment? What about sneakers labeled eco-friendly? How about green-accented soap bottles with plant visuals?

These words and images may look environmentally friendly, but they could also stem from a marketing strategy known as greenwashing. The practice occurs when companies sell the idea of “green” products while accomplishing little or nothing for the environment.

There is a growing market for products that minimize damage to the environment, according to Todd Larsen, executive codirector for consumer and corporate engagement at Green America, a nonprofit that certifies environmentally responsible businesses and promotes ethical consumption.

Big fast-food companies are employing children as young as ten years old to work in dangerous conditions. They also work hours so long that it negatively impacts their education.

WASHINGTON, DC — July 23, 2025 — The non-profit Soil & Climate Initiative (SCI) is expanding its partnership with​​​​​ breakfast ​brand Seven Sundays, engaging 15 farmers on over 2,400 acres in the transition to regenerative agriculture. This collaboration gives farmers the comprehensive support they need to implement new practices that foster healthy soil, climate resilience, and farm profitability. This crucial support helps farms build biological abundance on the land through agronomic practice incentives, technical assistance, and actionable soil testing.  

Since founding the brand in 2011, Seven Sundays has worked directly with Midwest farmers to source locally grown crops like oats, buckwheat, flax, and sunflowers. As part of their continued commitment through their partnership with SCI in 2022 via the Regenerative Transition Program, the brand has doubled down to drive even greater outcomes within its sourcing network. 

“We’re excited to grow our partnership with Seven Sundays, a regenerative leader committed to charting a new path forward for our food system,” said Adam Kotin, SCI Managing Director. “Together, we are equipping farmers with the tools and support they need to grow delicious food in ways that rejuvenate the land.” 

Through its collaborations with SCI​​​​, the brand is making direct investments in its growers while also working alongside processors to strengthen supply chain resiliency. This integrated approach delivers the transparency and traceability that today’s consumers increasingly desire and expect. 

“We are excited to collaborate with SCI to further our mission in restoring people and planet health for future generations,” said Brady Barnstable, co-founder and Chief Cultivation Officer at Seven Sundays.  “SCI’s farmer-first approach aligns with how we’ve built farm-direct relationships based on mutual transparency, trust and education since our early Farmer’s Markets days.”   

By participating in SCI’s Regenerative Transition Program, brands like Seven Sundays sponsor farmers with a holistic package of technical assistance, agronomic expertise, soil testing, peer-to-peer learning, and a clear framework for measuring regenerative progress. In doing so, they build the trust and connections needed to shift our fraying food system to a more thriving, sustainable (and delicious!) future.  

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ABOUT 

Soil & Climate Initiative (SCI), a project of the national nonprofit Green America, was originally launched in 2019 (formerly the Soil Carbon Initiative) in collaboration with farms, companies, NGOs, and soil scientists. Its mission is to accelerate the transition of agricultural acres under regenerative management by supporting and engaging every link in the supply chain. SCI offers a holistic suite of services, such as farm planning and agronomic support, soil testing, supply chain engagement, reporting, and third-party verification. These efforts help drive measurable improvements in soil health outcomes, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, water quality, climate resilience, food security, farm profitability, and the overall well-being of rural communities. www.soilclimateinitiative.org   

Green America, founded in 1982, is the nation’s leading green economy organization. Green America provides economic strategies and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today’s most pressing social and environmental problems. www.greenamerica.org 

Seven Sundays, a certified B-Corp, is rethinking the food system from the ground up, making cereals that improve the health of people & the planet. Founders Hannah and Brady Barnstable started Seven Sundays to flip the US cereal aisle on its head after they had a taste of good muesli and a sustainable food system during their inspirational honeymoon to New Zealand. Seven Sundays makes breakfast options, like Muesli, Sunflower Cereal, and Oat Protein Cereal, with 100% real foods. Since 2020, Seven Sundays has saved over 150 tons of waste from the food waste system by using upcycled ingredients. The brand does not use artificial or "natural" flavors, dyes, preservatives, refined sugars, GMOs, or Glyphosate. Seven Sundays is sold at Costco, Sprouts, Whole Foods, and more. www.sevensundays.com 

MEDIA CONTACT: Max Karlin, (703) 276-3255 or mkarlin@hastingsgroupmedia.com 

Where does your paycheck go after it’s deposited in your account? It doesn’t just sit there. Banks use those dollars to make loans and investments in other projects. They are depending on your continued patronage to fuel their revenue.

Local banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions often have clientele that live and work in the neighboring communities. But corporate mega-banks have clientele ranging from family households to multimillion-dollar corporations, which gives them more money to loan to industries and practices that harm the environment and put people at risk.

Concentrating your financial power in your local economy is one of the best ways to support your community. But patronizing your favorite neighborhood shops and restaurants isn’t the only way you can put your money to work where you live—investing in local community development financial institutions can also help strengthen community connections, grow local businesses, and even have an impact beyond the borders of your neighborhood.

Move Money Back into the Local Economy

Unlike big banks, community development banks are more likely to follow a strong social justice mission and invest their resources back into the local economy, bolstering support and opportunities for small businesses to expand, and individuals to buy homes. Additionally, these banks are often much more familiar with the needs and conditions of the communities they operate in, and they tend to be more invested in maintaining a community’s stability and health because the bank’s fortunes are more directly tied to the people and businesses it works with.

According to a 2024 report from the Federal Reserve, small business owners were more satisfied after their dealings with community development banks than big banks, and more likely to have loans and credit line requests approved by community development banks. Community development banks and credit unions are also regular supporters of local events like Pride celebrations, music and arts festivals, and public initiatives.

Banking Aligned with Personal Values

In today’s complex, globally integrated systems of finance and industry, it’s incredibly difficult and frustrating to know how to spend and invest your money while causing the least amount of harm. When it comes to the choice between community development banks and credit unions versus big banks, the data is clear.

According to the 2025 Banking of Climate Chaos report, 65 of the world’s largest banks have sunk $7.9 trillion into financing fossil fuels since the Paris Agreement—including $3.3 trillion since 2021, the year the International Energy Agency found no room for any fossil fuel expansion. Yet the 10 U.S. based banks—JPMorgan Chase, Citi, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Truist, PNC, U.S. Bank, and Capital One—are now increasing their funding of both new and expanded oil, gas, and coal operations, accounting for about one-third of the global bank funding for fossil fuels. In addition, big banks also contribute significant financing to the weapons industry and factory farms, which also drive climate change through deforestation, soil erosion, and environmental destabilization, as well as exploit workers, abuse animals, and violate human rights.

Maybe you live in a farming community and want to support farmers looking to adopt regenerative agriculture practices. Or your neighbor is opening a new restaurant that will ensure they work with ethical producers throughout their supply chain. Maybe you volunteer with the library’s Drag Queen story time or a food bank fundraiser and need the support of local businesses and institutions. By banking within your community instead of big banks, your money is more likely to help bring beneficial businesses and events to fruition, rather than produce weapons, unsafe food supply systems, and fossil fuels.

Going Local is Easier than You Think

Making the switch from megabanks is worth your consideration and effort. You’ll want to research a bank’s or credit union’s ownership, memberships, and certifications, as well as ask about fees, services and products, and if the institution is FDIC or NCUA-insured, before deciding.

You can start by visiting Green America’s recently updated Get a Better Bank Map online and enter your zip code to find institutions local to you. The site also has a 10-step checklist to follow once you’ve decided to make the switch.

All banks promise that by working with them, your money will be there when you need it. But not all banks can promise this truth: until you do need that money, it will be used in ways that align with your values, and that will ensure the growth, stability, and safety of your community and the planet. The institutions in our Get a Better Bank Map can.

Moving your bank account to a new bank or credit union may seem like a daunting task, but once you get started, it is easier than you think. Just take it one step at a time. The first step is to research responsible banks and credit unions in your area. Are they a mission-driven institution that supports your community? Do they offer the services you need? Are they in a convenient location with reasonable hours?

Once you’ve decided on a new community development bank or credit union, the next step is to establish a relationship. You can start by opening a checking or savings account, or even a certificate of deposit. After that, move your automatic deposits to the new account, then your automatic withdrawals. Finally close your megabank account and tell them why.

None of these steps need to be rushed—just keep making progress. Every transaction you can move from a megabank to a community development bank or credit union will put us all one step closer to the better world we envision and deserve.

Find a Better Bank near you using our Get A Better Bank Map! >>>

When climate disaster strikes, policyholders expect the property insurance they paid for to help them recover and rebuild. And as we’ve seen from the wildfires in Los Angeles and flash flooding tragedies in Texas to hurricane Helene destroying communities in and around Asheville, no one is immune to the risk of damage from extreme weather. What many don’t realize is the part insurance companies play in making the climate crisis worse.

According to The New York Times, over 1.9 million home insurance contracts have been “nonrenewed” nationwide since 2018, and the nonrenewal rate across 200 U.S. counties has tripled. At the same time, the nation’s largest insurers continue to both insure fossil fuel projects and invest billions in fossil fuel companies. Together the largest insurance companies have invested $582 billion in fossil fuels.

The largest insurance companies that fuel the climate crisis have raised rates sharply in the last few years, in part due to the climate crisis causing more disasters nationwide—a crisis those insurance companies are complicit in by investing billions in fossil fuels. Those practices are driving people to drop coverage or underinsure because they simply can’t afford to be properly insured.

But going without insurance simply isn’t an option for many people. For instance, home insurance is required to obtain a mortgage, and insurers pulling out of a community can trigger a wave of social and economic divestment that only puts people at further risk.

That’s why Green America created the Climate Smart Insurance Directory. It lists options for insurance companies in every state that do not insure fossil fuel projects and invest little to nothing in the fossil fuel industry. Cathy Becker, responsible finance campaign director at Green America, says the directory helps folks find alternatives to big corporate insurers for the policies they need.

Michi Trota: Obtaining property insurance isn’t an easy task to begin with. How can people know when it’s the right time to search for a new policy?

Cathy Becker: Any time is a good time to shop for property insurance—but it’s especially ideal when:

You are nearing the month for your annual insurance to renew; If your insurance rates have sharply increased, whether you have recently filed a claim or not; If your insurance company has informed you that it will not renew your policy.

Shopping for property insurance is easier than you might think. Start by calling three independent agents in your area and ask them for a quote from a regional mutual insurance company for home or renters and auto insurance.

Each agent works with different companies, so talking to more than one will give you a better idea of what is available in your area. There’s no obligation to buy a particular policy through a particular agent just because you get a quote.

Trota: Why should buyers consider going local for home, renters, or auto insurance instead of getting policies through large corporations like GEICO, Liberty Mutual, and State Farm?

Becker: Going local for insurance has similar benefits to buying from local businesses and banking locally:

Divesting from fossil fuels. Almost all of the household names in property insurance both insure fossil fuel projects and invest in the fossil fuel industry. While finding which companies insure a particular project can be difficult, their investments can be found at Investing in Climate Chaos, a resource from the German nonprofit Urgewald.

The numbers are stark. Liberty Mutual insures numerous fossil projects, such as several Gulf Coast LNG export terminals, and invests $1.8 billion in fossil fuels. State Farm has $20.6 billion invested in fossil fuels. Berkshire Hathaway, parent of GEICO, has $95.8 billion invested in fossil fuels, and it is the top investor in Chevron and Occidental Petroleum.

Investing in your community. Local and regional insurance companies have been quietly serving their communities for decades, some for more than a century. They may not be household names because they do not spend millions on advertising, but they are just as financially stable as their larger counterparts.

Saving money. While not guaranteed, going local for your property insurance can often save hundreds of dollars on the annual cost of a policy.

Trota: When evaluating policy options, what are the most important points that buyers should look for?

Becker: In comparing quotes from different insurers, look for:

• Cost. You may not go with the cheapest option, but cost is always a factor. You can cut costs by bundling home or renters’ insurance with auto insurance, paying in monthly installments, and asking for any discounts such as through AARP. Signing up for autopay options can also save on cost.
• Coverage. Make sure the quote covers the cost of rebuilding your home and/or replacing personal property, as well as temporary living expenses, medical payments, and liability claims. Keep in mind that the cost of building materials, furniture, clothing, and electronics is increasing. In addition, most policies do not cover floods or earthquakes, which require separate insurance.
• Financial stability. Look up the company’s rating on AM Best (you will need to create an account). Steer clear of companies with a rating below A-.
• Safety ratings. Weiss Safety Ratings indicate an insurance company’s ability to meet obligations to policyholders. Any A or B rating is acceptable.
• Denial rates. Weiss Ratings also has a list of property insurance denial rates. Steer clear of any company denying 40% or more of claims.
• Coverage requirements. Some insurance companies now require property updates that relate to climate and energy use, such as updated windows, roofing, and heating and/or hot water systems. Be sure to ask what, if any, requirements must be met and how much time you have to complete them to obtain coverage.

Trota: If it’s not possible to switch to an insurance company that doesn’t invest in fossil fuels, how can policy holders advocate for insurers to invest in their communities and the environment?

Becker: Find out how much your insurance company has invested in fossil fuels at InvestingInClimateChaos.org/data. Then call the company and tell them as a policyholder you expect them to do better and are canceling your policy because of their investment in fossil fuels. Insurance companies that must cover damage from the climate crisis should not be actively making the climate crisis worse. In most cases, fossil fuels are a small part of their investment portfolios. There’s no reason they cannot move that money elsewhere.

You can also call your state insurance commissioner to express your concerns. Insurance is regulated on the state level, but state commissioners rarely hear from the public. Your call can make an impression. Find your state insurance commissioner by going to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ website.

Find a green insurance company at Green America’s Climate Smart Insurance Directory!

When deciding on what to make for dinner—maybe grilling burgers or making chicken with a side of veggies—many of us think about how to balance making something affordable, delicious, and healthy. We’re less likely to consider whether child labor is involved in our meals. But increasingly, it likely is.

In recent years, numerous federal investigations have uncovered children working in dangerous conditions to create the food we eat from grocery stores to fast-food chains. Tyson Foods, Perdue, and McDonalds have all been found to have children working in their operations or franchisees. Many of these children are immigrants in precarious positions and unlikely to speak up when they are in danger. They need these jobs to survive, but these jobs put their lives at risk.

Children all over the country, some as young as 10, are working in industries like agriculture, roofing, restaurants, and meatpacking. Their jobs can be so dangerous that some children go to school with chemical burns from cleaning meatpacking facilities or burns from restaurants. In the last two years, at least three children have died on the job. There are an estimated 300,000-500,000 children working in the U.S. agricultural sector alone.  From 2015 to 2022, the number of minors employed in violation of child labor laws rose by 283%.

Politicians attempting to roll back child labor restrictions insist that children will benefit from these “opportunities to work,” but the truth is that child labor involves work that is harmful to children’s development or health. The risks include working so many hours that a child falls behind in school and may end up dropping out, cleaning dangerous machinery in a slaughterhouse overnight, or being exposed to hazardous chemicals. Far from preparing young people to have bright and productive futures, child labor hurts children’s potential to live healthy, happy, and successful lives.

And child labor causes harm beyond the children who are directly involved by negatively impacting their future families and communities. It increases the costs of local healthcare, education, and social services, institutions that are inevitably involved in caring for kids who are injured and failing to keep up at school. It also harms the labor market by depressing wages and puts businesses that actually abide by labor laws or ethical practices at a competitive disadvantage. For example, businesses can take advantage of loopholes in federal and state laws, such as “youth wage laws,” that allow businesses to pay children and teenagers less than adult wages for the first 90 days of employment, to increase their bottom line at the expense of children and community well-being.

In recent years, the Department of Labor issued multi-million-dollar fines and carried out investigations that were widely covered in the media, which served as a deterrent. But the new administration, which has vastly different priorities from its predecessor, remains unclear if enforcing child labor laws is a priority and if there will be enough dedicated resources to adequately enforce child labor laws.

States are also backsliding on child labor restrictions enforcement and legislation. In fact, many states are actively working to undermine child labor protections. These states are lowering the ages that children can work in unsafe jobs and increasing the hours they can work each day. According to the Economic Policy Institute, since 2021, 31 states have introduced bills to weaken child labor protections.

Comparatively few states are working to enhance child labor regulations.

Time and time again we have seen companies violate laws and basic rights when they know they can get away with it. While the new administration is sending a clear message that respecting human rights is nowhere on the list of priorities, we can ensure that corporations still feel pressure to prioritize human rights in their operations and supply chains.

Individuals can and have worked together to successfully hold corporations accountable in the past and force them to change their practices. At Green America, our collective work has led to some of the largest corporations ending abusive or harmful practices. Because of our Toxic Textiles campaign and the actions of thousands of consumers speaking up, Carter’s, a leading children’s clothing brand, is adopting a Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) to protect workers and communities in its supply chain. And we have seen major wins in our Hang Up on Fossil Fuels campaign thanks to consumer pressure—T-Mobile is now the leader in the industry in the use of renewable energy, reporting 100% renewable energy usage, and AT&T and Verizon are entering into significant contracts for renewable energy.

It is essential that we actively oppose injustices, make our voices heard, and demand change to the harmful status quo. Together, we can ensure that multi-billion-dollar companies, like McDonalds, don’t profit from the exploitation of children. Green America is pressuring JBS, Perdue, Cargill, and Tyson Foods to do their part in stopping child labor.

Making sure you and your family can enjoy delicious meals shouldn’t come at the cost of other children’s lives and futures. While others are trying to make child labor a permanent part of our lives, we can change reality for the better. Together, we can fight for a food system that isn’t built off exploitation but one that creates good and safe jobs.

Off the coast of Northern California, there is a swath of land bustling with ecosystems—redwood forests, coastal prairies, oak savannas, rivers. Crisp marine air blankets the Petaluma Gap, which runs from Bodega Bay, an inlet off the Pacific Ocean, to the tidal estuary of San Pablo Bay. Right in the middle lies Petaluma, California, chartered in 1858 and considered one of the state’s earliest cities, boasting a rich cultural and environmental history. I can still recall the sharp, briny taste of the sea air when I visited Sonoma County, where Petaluma resides, nearly a decade ago.

As a passionate environmental advocate, I’m thrilled that the city’s natural beauty and features remain sacred. The town created a Climate Action Commission in 2019, successfully converted over 4300 city lights to LEDs, and now limits urban expansion to preserve the surrounding environment through its Urban Growth Boundary policy.

In the growing climate crisis, local teamwork could be the key to securing a greener future. For its next eco-venture, Petaluma set its sights on reducing waste, and its weapon of choice was a purple cup.
The Petaluma Reusable Cup Project is the first of its kind in the U.S., involving residents and more than 30 local and global businesses to circulate over 200,000 reusable cups in lieu of landfill-headed single use cups. Spearheading the Reusable Cup Project is the NextGen Consortium, a collaboration managed by Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy that aims to reinvent food packaging and reduce waste.

I was drawn to its ambitious scope, which reflects my eagerness—perhaps even impatience—for the sustainability movement to meet people where they are, however imperfect the initial actions may be.

Reuse Programs are Accessible and Inclusive

Use a metal straw, drive an EV, compost organic waste—the advice on how we can lead more sustainability-driven lives is endless. It can be confusing, overwhelming, and frustrating to navigate sustainability as an individual. Everyone is somewhere different in their lives, with different needs and resources at their disposal—there is no one-size-fits-all green living solution. For a problem as expansive as single-use waste, accessible solutions and support for people to adopt new habits are key.

Identifying challenges that prevented previous waste minimization projects from succeeding was a crucial first step for NextGen to implement the reusable cup project. What they found was that many of those issues revolved around accessibility, inclusion, and motivation. The impact report commissioned by the project (available for download at returnmycup.com) singled out potential barriers like higher price points for sustainable pursuits, the pressure of adopting a new habit, desensitization to single-use packaging, health and cleanliness concerns about reusable food and beverage items, or even innocent unawareness.

“It was important for us to ensure that there is no cost to the customer to participate,” explains Carolina Lobel, Senior Director at Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy, the managing partner of NextGen Consortium and a leader in the circular economy space. “While deposit and penalty schemes have [been] shown to work for certain reuse systems, our previous tests have shown that they could add friction or pose both accessibility and operational challenges.”

The cup itself was also a challenge. After all, tossing things in trash bins is habitual and keeping a free cup is tempting, but that defeats the purpose of the program. NextGen also wanted to create a more environmentally friendly cup that was still affordable for the program. Using customer feedback, NextGen created the purple cup with a simple direction to remind people of its use: “Sip, Return, Repeat.”

“The Petaluma project is critical to identify which factors support customers in returning their reusable cups,” Lobel says. The project’s focus on ease of access, with no cost to the everyday person, is what excited me the most about its potential. In a world rife with greenwashing and bottom lines, a program designed to provide a community with the means to live a less wasteful life without any drastic changes to daily habits is very welcome.

The idea is simple:

• At your favorite restaurant, cafe, or other establishment (ice cream shops and milkshakes definitely count), get your delicious drink of choice in a purple reusable cup and go about your day.
• When you’ve downed the last drops, toss the cup in any of the 60 return bins placed around the city—whether in participating locations, or public areas like schools and parks.
• Returned cups are collected from the citywide bins and taken to be cleaned, inspected, and then sent back to vendors for use again. For any cups that don’t pass muster, they are recycled at Recology in Santa Rosa, CA.

Public outreach efforts ensured that Petaluma residents were well-informed about the project by the time it launched, and responses showed that users found it easy to partake in and understand (fig.1). According to Lobel, the project reached over 100,000 returns just six weeks after its launch.

Collaboration and Consideration are the Keys to Change

Caring for our planet is a monumental task, making it crucial we demand action from legislators, corporations, and others in power. However, it’s also important to provide incentives and resources for individuals to shift our habits as consumers. Change must also come from within communities themselves, and NextGen’s approach highlights the importance of creating buy-in through collaboration and consideration for the concerns of both consumers and local businesses.

“For some businesses in Petaluma, this was their first time offering reusable cups, while others built upon previous learnings,” says Lobel. “What they all had—and still have—in common is a goal of reducing waste.”

In addition to stressing the need for the food service industry to source, purchase, and use reusable packaging, the consortium directly offered businesses and individuals the resources and pathways to enable those changes.

Lobel points out that working in partnership with the project meant businesses didn’t shoulder the burdens of experimenting with waste reduction solutions on their own. The project spent a year and a half building up to its launch in August 2024 because, as Lobel explains, “a full city take-over required collaboration among a range of stakeholders across the value chain.”

Perfection Cannot Be the Enemy of Progress

In every conversation I’ve had with members of the Green Business Network®, their advice for entrepreneurs adopting sustainable practices is always the same: don’t strive for perfection, just start.

Too often, especially when something feels as high stakes as shifting daily habits out of environmental concerns, shame and fear of making mistakes can keep us from taking any action at all. But the Petaluma Reusable Cup Project had a vision and made it happen, including viewing any initial success not as stopping points but as opportunities for future improvement.

For instance, while the ideal is to strive for a plastic-free life, the project’s purple cups are still made of food-safe plastic, a decision that was informed by thorough research. The material was chosen for its recyclability in nearby facilities, compatibility with washing infrastructure and light weight—which ultimately reduces greenhouse gas emissions in transport. Cups for hot beverages were made of 100% lightweighted PP (polypropylene), which is used by similar reusable cup programs in Denmark and the UK. For cold beverages, the project used virgin HDPE (high-density polyethylene).* Both designs were BPA and phthalate free. Ultimately, the program relies on trusting customers to consistently return the cups after single use for proper sanitization and safety.

*Editor’s Note: While polypropylene is one of the safer known plastics, some studies have shown it can still leach plastic particles into food or beverages, especially when exposed to high heat, so putting any cups made from these materials in a microwave to reheat drinks is not advised.

A Note on Plastics and Heat:

To avoid any risk of plastics leaching harmful chemicals into hot food and beverages, here are some quick tips:

• Transfer frozen food or leftovers from plastic containers to glass or ceramic dishes before heating in a microwave or an oven. “Microwave safe” is a misnomer, there is no standard for microwave safe plastic packaging.
• Don't put hot beverages in plastic cups or water bottles or reheat beverages in plastic cups in a microwave.
• When in doubt, use glass or ceramic instead.

Given the project’s first wave of success, future iterations and growth are now more likely. Currently, Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy is taking the results from Petaluma, including the enthusiastic response from consumers and businesses alike, to develop even better long-term, permanent reuse programs in various cities across the country. So, I’m hopeful the project will evolve away from plastic cups entirely based on developing technologies and education, too.

In the meantime, programs looking to replicate the Petaluma Reusable Cup Project’s efforts can consider safer and more environmentally friendly alternative materials for their own reusable cups. Materials like stainless steel or silicone are more ideal than lightweight PP or virgin HDPE plastics and using them will avoid the risk of plastic particles leaching into hot or reheated beverages and food.

What I truly found inspiring was how the project showed it’s possible for us to create pathways, however initially imperfect, that allow communities to mitigate how consumer waste fuels climate change. Providing programs that anticipate known difficulties and offer resources for both consumers and businesses puts partnership at the forefront so we can solve problems together.

Trying to achieve a top-tier sustainable lifestyle is wonderful to aim for, but sometimes progress happens in steps, not leaps. We need to dream big and support each other through every failure and success.

Switching to reusable cups is just one way to start adopting sustainable habits—there are plenty of options to cut down on single-use waste and encourage your neighbors to do the same.

• Bring your own mugs or to-go cups and reusable straws to your favorite coffee, tea, or boba shop if they allow it. Often, they’ll even provide discounts for doing so!
• Getting takeout or bringing home leftovers? Provide the containers yourself by bringing BPA-free food storage and have the restaurant put your meal in those instead of typical Styrofoam and plastic.
• Invest in reusable utensils, straws, and cloth napkins for things like takeout, picnics, and more.
• At home, ditch the plastic wrap for beeswax wrap, plastic bags for reusable sandwich and shopping bags, and use your reusable containers to stock up on bulk items.

Check out the Green Business Network® directory to get started!

The environmental movement’s fight against plastic goes back decades. It has fueled everything from the push to curbside recycling in the 1970s, to the straw bans of the 2010s, to documentaries highlighting how much of the plastic water bottle industry is a scam, and much more.

I joined the anti-plastic movement around 2015. It started simply: I asked for paper bags instead of plastic at the grocery store. Soon after, I started carrying a reusable Nalgene water bottle. I learned about the zero-waste movement and began purchasing sustainable alternatives for everything from ear swabs and menstrual products to straws. I bought from bulk stores with my own cotton cinch bags to avoid plastic packaging. It became a daily puzzle to figure out and, at the time, an exciting challenge.

Ten years later, some of those changes stuck while others didn’t. After the isolation period of the covid-19 pandemic, I had to give up some of my habits. Eating inside a restaurant became risky. Bulk stores, with their barrels of rice and candies and oats, felt like a playground for contamination. So, I gave up on these habits—and after a year and a half, it was hard to pick them up again. The zero-waste ideology became less of a brain game and more of a burden.

Yet the plastic industry manufactured and manufactured and manufactured, regardless of my motivation. Microplastics—tiny plastic pieces sometimes the width of a human hair—entered public health and environmental conversations. Research studies discussed the prevalence of microplastics in everything. Water, soil, air, and even human bodies. And knowing that plastic can contain BPA, PFAS, and other under-researched chemicals, I could not help but be reminded of the mesothelioma commercials from the early aughts…

“If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma you may be entitled to financial compensation.”
Mesothelioma is a fast-growing and deadly cancer that results from asbestos exposure. Asbestos was a popular insulation material because of its nonflammable properties until its toxicity was made known in the 1970s.

Recent studies have shown that people under 50 are contracting cancers of the digestive tract more frequently and earlier than previous generations. Microplastics have been found in human placentas, colons, and the blood brain barrier. And while studies haven’t found definitive evidence that microplastics are carcinogenic, the correlation of increased cancer rates to the abundance of microplastics is one that gives me pause.

Just to be safe, I am now on a journey of eliminating microplastics from my life.

Unlike plastic packaging, microplastics are harder to sniff out and harder still to eliminate. But there are some golden rules: if something is made from plastic—whether that be soft, crunchy plastic packaging or hard, durable plastic—it probably sheds microplastics.

This rule has been enough to get started. I began in the area that felt most concerning: the kitchen. This is where I heat up plastic (spatulas and containers) and store things that go into my body (water bottles and utensils).

I swapped my plastic reusable water bottle for an insulated stainless steel one (which is vastly superior in keeping my drinks cold, too). I purchased glass Pyrex containers to store my leftovers. I acquired wood and silicone cooking utensils. I switched out my plastic scrub brush with a bamboo one and my plastic cutting board for a wood one.

The other major culprit of microplastics in our homes lies in our closets. Clothing made from polyester, acrylic, viscose, nylon, elastane—anything synthetic or a synthetic blend, really—are guilty of shedding microplastics every time they are agitated in the wash. I’ve made it my mission to acquire new clothing made from natural materials such as cotton, bamboo, silk, leather, and hemp. And if that’s not available, I shop at thrift stores so that I don’t spend my money in support of new, synthetic fashion. One day, I hope to install a microfiber filter in my washing machine to keep any microplastics from escaping to the wastewater streams—until then, I try to hand wash or gentle cycle my synthetic clothing, which releases less microplastics.

These individual steps give me a sense of control over my realm. And it didn’t start overnight—I began acquiring slowly to fit my budget. You can start here, too, by visiting the different rooms in your home to determine where you can eliminate or reduce plastic usage. And instead of buying items wrapped in plastic or made with plastic at the store, try choosing items that are naked or in cloth or paper wrapping.
When grocery shopping, I like to follow an 80/20 rule: I try to purchase 80% of my produce and groceries naked or without plastic. The 20% I do allow myself to purchase wrapped in plastic—such as toilet paper or frozen foods—leaves room for flexibility so that I can still get what I need. After all, I don’t have control over how the things I need are packaged and I refuse to be shamed by that. This kind of economic activism—conscious consumerism—puts power in my hands.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop the plastics industry from churning out more and more. What is necessary for large-scale permanent change is policy.

Policy change starts locally. Talking with neighbors, friends, and family about the issue of microplastics creates the necessary awareness to grow community action. In Colorado, my home state, 100% of Colorado water bodies tested positive for microplastics. In 2022, the Colorado Plastic Pollution Reduction Act went into effect, banning Styrofoam food containers and plastic bags in food establishments and grocery stores. The legislation was a huge win for our state and was made possible with the collective support of advocacy groups and individuals talking to their representatives about plastic and microplastic concerns.

This can be possible in your state, too, simply by increasing awareness amongst your peers and talking to your representatives about the environmental and health concerns of microplastics. It can start as small as your city and county elected officials, who are responsible for recycling and waste management programs in your neighborhood.

Creating regulations to reduce plastic at the top of the production chain—and thus keeping plastic producing companies accountable to their waste—is a job for Congress. In 2024, the Biden administration released a strategy to reduce plastic pollution. Various bills have been proposed in the House and the Senate regarding the reduction of plastic pollution and plastic toxicity, but Congress, backed by the Trump administration, has halted a lot of legislation that would work to remedy these issues. It is as important as ever for individuals like you and me to keep the pressure on our representatives to continue supporting new and existing legislation, including landmark legislation like the Clean Water Act and PFAS standards in drinking water. You can find your Congressional representatives’ contact information online or by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and asking for your representative by name. There is also an app called 5 Calls which helps you stay on top of changes in legislative priorities and make calls.

There is a long way to go. Every action and voice counts.

A light goes out in the ceiling, but you can’t reach it without a ladder. You head to the hardware store to buy a ladder, but even the smallest four-step folding ladder is $265. You don’t have a garage, so there’s no point in buying the eight-foot ladder, even though it’s the same price…and are you even going to use it enough to justify the $265 sticker price?

This is a situation Jessa Wais, Director of Library Services at Station North Tool Library in Baltimore, Maryland, has seen again and again. The Station North Tool Library is a library that lends tools—from drills to mowers and everything in-between. In fact, Wais says that “it’s really common for first [time lenders] to borrow a ladder just to reach that one thing one time.”

Tool libraries are a manifestation of the sharing economy, a concept built on the philosophy that there is more than enough stuff to go around. Little free libraries, free stores and markets, community pantries, and BuyNothing groups make it possible for people to share equipment and resources with each other, preventing waste, clutter, and overconsumption while redistributing goods for public need. Tool libraries make it possible for people of all skill levels and income ranges to access and use tools.

Loans and Learning

Tool libraries exist all over the country—from Atlanta to Boise and Cincinnati to Phoenix. The Station North Tool Library offers 3,000 tools for lending, 30 educational classes, and dedicated workspaces for woodworking, repair, and DIY projects. It began as a volunteer-run project in 2013 and has since grown into a 501(c)3 with roughly 2,200 members.

“We are all about decreasing barriers to tool access,” says Wais. “We really believe you don’t have to buy everything that you use. There are many items that lend themselves really well to sharing.”

While many people come in to borrow a tool for one-time use—like a ladder, for example—others come to take an educational class. For Wais, that introduction was woodworking. They enjoyed the space so much that they applied for a job at the tool library and have now been there for five and a half years.

Across the country in Denver, Colorado, Tyler Hurula is the tool library manager at the Denver Tool Library. Hurula says that many folks hear about the library’s class offerings—such as Auto Basics, Wood Turning, and Sewing 101—through word of mouth. Once they arrive, they soon learn that the library offers more than classes and tool lending. It offers a community.

A Safe Place for Community

The parfum of workshop spaces is a motley aroma of oil, grease, metal, solvents, and burning fuel. Garage workspaces, mechanic shops—these spaces are perceived as masculine, places that society assigns to men in the “provider” and “fixer” roles, whereas women are assigned “domestic” responsibilities like housework and childrearing. But spaces don’t have genders, and any person can handle these responsibilities—women can work a lawnmower or a drill, and men can wash laundry and put the baby to sleep. Tool libraries counter the narrative of gendered societal roles by creating an open space for learning with built-in communities and classes.

If a member has a question, tool librarians are there to help without judging anyone’s skill level. Clarifying the process, increasing access to expensive tools and workspaces, and collaborating on ideas are all part of the allure of the tool library.

“No gatekeeping here,” says Hurula. “We get a lot of women and a lot of queer folks. We get a lot of people who don’t know where to start and have felt intimidated coming into a typically [masculine] space. And then they come in here and it’s not scary.”

Wais says that “people view the tool library as this third space.” Third spaces are important social environments outside of home and work where people interact with each other, learn, and play. Social media is a digital third space; physical third spaces can be commercial or public facilities, such as parks, coffee shops, bars, and public libraries. These venues make it possible to meet new people, learn new ideas, and grow a community.

Every year, the Station North Tool Library hosts the Fix It Fair, a free community repair event. It’s one of Wais’ favorite events.

“People bring in broken items—it can be a wobbly chair, clothing that needs mending, instruments that need restringing—and we have a team of fixers who not just try to fix your item but try to demystify the process,” says Wais.

In 2024, over 280 people attended. Over 300 items were repaired and usable again. “A cool part of engaging with a local tool library is it [offers a] community for you,” says Wais. “That human-to-human interaction is super valuable and fun.”

Tool Libraries Are for Everyone

The ethos of tool libraries is built on sharing. Unlike the competition-mindset of hardware stores, tool librarians want more tool libraries around the world. Both the Denver Tool Library and the Station North Tool Library started as volunteer-run projects, with people donating tools, time, and knowledge. The Denver Library celebrated its 10-year anniversary in April, demonstrating that tool libraries are needed today as much as ever.

Hurula says that a great way to support tool libraries is firstly, through being a member, and secondly, through donating. Whether that is donating tools, time, or dollars—it all helps. Additionally, financial donations help subsidize membership to folks with financial needs or barriers.

If you don’t have a tool library near you, start one! You can take a note from the Station North Tool Library and the Denver Tool Library and start out of an alley warehouse, garage, or a work with a local space willing to host. Eventually, through grassroots funding and volunteers’ elbow grease, these became the tool libraries we know today in Denver and Baltimore.

Even then, it doesn’t have to be a fully fleshed out organization—informally sharing tools amongst friends and neighbors counts. There are lots of ways to participate, whether you are next door to a tool library or live states away.

“Come up with community spaces, talk to people about projects they’re working on,” Hurula says. “Find ways to be in community with people. Trade tools and knowledge and experience. That is all in the spirit of the tool library also.”

Picture this: a school gymnasium, alive with basketball games, pep rallies, and… an abundance of fresh food coming from the roof? It’s a future many want to see become reality—our community spaces reimagined and transformed to serve us better, like a sprawling garden on top of a school gym.

No matter where you live, growing fresh food is possible. Yes, even in urban areas, where people garden on balconies, in rec centers, and, of course, rooftops.

Urban gardens have many benefits. One is helping areas that suffer from heat island effects like increased energy consumption to counter higher temperatures, negative health impacts, and air pollutants. According to the EPA, green roofs can make surface temperatures 56°F lower than conventional roofs and reduce nearby air temperatures by 20°F, thereby opposing the buildings, roads, and concrete absorbing heat to create heat islands. Another is that they teach gardening fundamentals—and everything that goes along with gardening, like nutrition and climate—to anyone and everyone, especially at public buildings. Plus, they’re great for people living in apartments, condos, or other housing without much outdoor space.

In some places, in fact, the benefits of green infrastructure like green roofs are even making their way into legislation, like the Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2025, a bill that has been introduced in the Senate and House directing the government to “establish an urban heat mitigation and management grant program” for eligible projects like green roofs. In San Francisco, the ordinance "Better Roofs: Living Roof Alternative" mandates certain new buildings’ rooftops install energy-saving systems like solar panels and living roofs.

Additionally, both cities and states like New York City and Oregon offer grants and incentives for green rooftops (any rooftop covered with vegetation, including gardens, grasses, and flowers), while in 2009 Toronto became the first city in North America to require green roofs for certain new buildings.

And crucially, growing fresh food in a community can be an empowering way to decrease food insecurity while providing more opportunities to strengthen ties among neighbors.

In 2023, more than one in 10 U.S. households experienced food insecurity. On average, 47 million Americans face hunger, including one in five children. For one of the wealthiest countries boasting over 300 million acres of cropland, this is unacceptable—and something green roofs, urban gardens, and other green infrastructure can help fix.

Aren’t There Grocery Stores Everywhere?

For those who have never had difficulty accessing a wide variety of food, it can be easy to assume that no matter where someone lives, there must be a grocery store nearby, including access to fresh produce and other healthy options.

Yet in the United States, more than 23 million people, most of them low-income, live in communities that are under-resourced and regularly denied easy access to nutritious, affordable food. Just as safe water is crucial in any environment, so too is the availability of food wherever someone calls home.

“Food security requires addressing not just immediate hunger but also the systemic issues that cause it,” says Erin Meyer, Founder & President of Basil’s Harvest, a nonprofit that engages the power of local, regenerative food systems to promote human and planetary wellbeing, and member of the Soil & Climate Alliance, a program within Green America’s Center for Sustainability Solutions.

Commonly referred to as “urban food deserts,” the USDA defines these areas as places with “no ready access to a store with fresh and nutritious food options within one mile” and a rural food desert as somewhere “10 miles or more from the nearest market.”

However, the term “food desert,” first officially used by the Low Income Project Team of the UK’s Nutrition Task Force in 1995, is not entirely accurate. Many activists and community organizers instead prefer the term “food apartheid,” to make clear that the lack of access to healthy, nourishing food is not a naturally occurring phenomenon, but rather a consequence of racist and discriminatory systems.

“Food insecurity disproportionately affects certain populations,” Meyer says. "Communities of color experience disproportionate levels of food insecurity due to the continued impact of systemic racism and discrimination."

This is to say nothing of nutrition. In low-income areas, stores like Dollar General and local bodegas offer the easiest access to groceries, but they stock cheaper items, which tend to be processed foods with very little nutritional value.

Meyer describes food access and nutrition as “deeply connected.” Food insecurity at all is linked to higher healthcare costs, while nutritional access and quality is crucial for physical and mental health, with studies showing nutritious foods playing a role in alleviating symptoms of depression and mental health struggles.

Communities Can—and Should—Have Multiple Pathways to Food

Food access depends on a complex system affected by many things. Climate change impacts the very soil of our planet, while global conflict can disrupt supply chains and trade agreements, destroy farmland, and displace farmers. These issues, happening both abroad and at home, impact the affordability and accessibility of nutritious foods throughout the U.S.

Fortunately, there are many ways to get involved with food access in your community. Meyer details six ways anyone can start acting (fig. 1), including volunteering at a food pantry or advocating for legislation that promotes nutrition and food access.

“Legislation creates the framework that determines food access for millions of Americans through strategic funding mechanisms and policy implementation,” says Meyer. Until recently, legislation supported programs like the Farm Bill and SNAP, which provided food assistance to low-income people. With the passing of the Trump Administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” however, $186 billion in funding will be cut from SNAP by 2034 and critics warn it could worsen food insecurity across the country.

You can also take a hands-on approach to feeding your friends, family, and community, and solutions to food access aren’t limited to rooftops.

Climate Victory Gardens are personal and communal gardens prioritizing regenerative practices, like restoring soil health to draw down carbon, that can radically improve a community’s intake and access to fresh foods. Green America’s Climate Victory Gardens program has over 30,000 gardens registered nationwide, including private gardens and public ones, like school and community gardens, and each new garden is a new source of food and planet health.

“Climate Victory Gardens strengthen communities both literally and figuratively,” says Emma Kriss, Food Campaigns Manager at Green America.

Kriss notes how the gardens can help protect human and environmental health when tended without the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Gardening provides the opportunity for light exercise, forging connections among neighbors, and can bolster mental health. The gardens themselves help reduce flooding by creating healthier soil that can absorb more water and offer safe havens for pollinators.

“One of my favorite stories comes from one of our gardeners who is also a beekeeper,” says Kriss. “When his neighbor observed that his own crops were doing better once the bee colony was established, the [gardener] was able to convince [the neighbor] to change his pesticide use to help protect the bees!”

Building a brighter future requires creativity, innovation, and partnership. Although food insecurity is a global and profound affair, we can still make a lot of progress at local levels. Our efforts can help ensure that our neighbors have food on their table, kids have access to healthy school meals, and every community can easily obtain nutritious and affordable groceries.

Think about the different ways you can help feed your neighbors, or advocate for those most at risk of food insecurity, and then go tell the local high school’s principle and city council that it’s time for an abundant garden space, wafting with the smells of fresh soil and ripening berries in the sun, to grace the school gymnasium’s roof.

The constant stream of small-minded, xenophobic, and greedy orders coming from the White House is exhausting. Which, as several Trump advisors have said, is exactly the point—their intent is to keep us so overwhelmed that we have little to nothing left over after making it through our day to day lives. They want us to feel like we have few, if any, options to fight for our rights, our health, an equitable economy, and a healthy, sustainable planet.

But the current administration and the big corporations and billionaires who back them aren’t the only ones capable of wielding economic power—we, the people, have both considerable individual and collective power, too. Most of all, investing our time and money in the welfare of our neighbors, local businesses, and community institutions builds vital bonds of trust and care, which is itself a revolutionary act. Especially in the face of selfish public figures and predatory corporations whose success depends on cultivating our mistrust of and unwillingness to work with the world around us.

This is what Green America’s community does best—your collective actions encourage responsible corporate policy and the adoption of economic solutions that benefit us all. Together we are making a real difference for people and the planet when it comes to renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, and fair labor. Your support has helped us save crucial forest acres in California from biomass logging efforts, expanded our guides for climate-friendly banking and climate-smart insurance options, grown the Climate Victory Gardens program, and much more.

The articles in this issue of Your Green Life explore the various ways we can use the power of our money and efforts to strengthen our own communities in ways that can reverberate beyond the borders of our daily lives. Whether it’s a waste reduction program that worked to meet both consumers and businesses where they are, a personal journey to remove microplastics from use, protesting eased restrictions on child labor in supply chains, encouraging the expansion of tool lending libraries, shifting your money away from megabanks, or exploring regional property insurance providers, this edition of Your Green Life is dedicated to the idea that there are myriad ways for everybody to use their money, time, and energy for the betterment of their communities and the planet within their own means.

The public backlash against companies that dropped their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments after the current administration issued executive orders dismantling federal DEI programs are a stark reminder that our choices and actions matter. When we work together, we can ensure that corporations and powerful people still face consequences for their actions. Just look at how Target was subjected to multiple boycotts after it backed away from its corporate DEI initiatives in January—the company was forced to cut its financial outlook for the year after anticipating further declines in sales.

Our American economic system relies on constant generation of profit and growth at the expense of communities and the environment, so making intentional choices to put our money and energy to work for us is an important way of encouraging collective action that can benefit the planet. Using our economic power in service of our principles and for the common good is especially impactful under a federal administration—not to mention state governments— aggressively gutting social supports and services in favor of tax breaks for the rich and relaxed regulations on corporations.

When we put our money, time, and energy into building strong local economies, we create resilient, sustainable communities that build momentum for sweeping global actions. In times of economic, social, and political uncertainty, choosing to trust each other and support local businesses, organizations, and institutions can have positive impacts that extend far beyond the people and places we see every day.

One of my favorite writers, Charlie Jane Anders, wrote in her newsletter about how the stories we see in pop culture often paint the struggle for justice and a better world as one that relies on a final proverbial straw to trigger a massive collective action that makes everything fall into place in the end. It makes for heart-pounding storytelling, but Anders argues that it ignores how in real life, our reaction to a single, overwhelming crisis alone isn’t what brings change. It’s also the thousands of individual choices to do better and strong community bonds among people who might otherwise have been strangers that provide the momentum for success and fertile ground for justice to take root.

Everyday actions in our own neighborhoods and townships—from where we choose to bank to how we spend our money, the ways we participate in civic life, the causes we volunteer for, how we manage our consumption and waste, and the ways we care for each other—are vital to creating a safe, healthy, and sustainable future for ourselves and our planet.

Leveraging communities to create a vibrant and healthy world.

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 22, 2025 – Green America and the Child Labor Coalition launched a new anti-child labor campaign focused on fast-food companies with a track record of child labor violations from the U.S. Department of Labor. The campaign will organize thousands of consumers urging McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, Baskin-Robins, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and Sonic to address child labor violations, citing specific instances at franchise locations across the country.   

Charlotte Tate, Labor Justice Campaigns Director at Green America, said: “We’re seeing patterns of DOL Child Labor Violations – thousands over recent years – and it’s egregious that major fast-food chains are allowing it to happen. These companies must engage in a productive dialogue and take leadership roles in eradicating child labor and labor violations in the food production industry.” 

Child labor in the U.S. is a growing problem. From 2015 to 2022, the number of children employed in violation of child labor laws rose by 283%. There have been nearly six times as many child labor law violations in the food service industry in the last ten years. 

Reid Maki, Child Labor Advocacy Director for the Child Labor Coalition and National Consumers League, said: “For many teens, working in fast food is their first job. It is critical for it to be a good experience, free from exploitation and work dangers, like operating fryers. Their hours must be restricted to ensure that they are not damaged by working too many hours. We know from academic research that teens who work more than 20 hours a week during the school year, see their grades drop and their chances of graduating go down significantly.”  

McDonald’s 

• McDonald’s  had more than 2,300 child labor violations at more than 13,000 restaurants since 2013.  

• One franchise operator “employed 24 minors under age 16 to work more than legally permitted hours”, including “two 10-year-old children who were employed -- but not paid -- and sometimes worked as late as 2 a.m.”  

• Another franchise operator “allowed 242 minors between age 14 and 15 to work beyond the allowable hours.” The Department of Labor assessed the employer with $143,566 in penalties for the violations.  

Baskin-Robbins 

• Baskin-Robbins locations across Utah violated federal law by “allowing 64 minor employees, ages 14- to 15-years-old, to work too late in the day and too many hours in a week while school was in session.”  

• The eight locations were in American Fork, Bountiful, Clearfield, Layton, Salt Lake City, Sandy, West Jordan and West Valley.  

Sonic Drive-In 

• “An Atlanta-based private equity firm that operates 60 Sonic Drive-In locations, including eight in South Carolina -- employed 36 children, ages 14 and 15, to work illegally.”  

• Another operator with “locations in Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia — employed 55 children, ages 14 and 15, to work outside of legally allowed hours.” 

• Six Nevada locations illegally employed 14- and 15-year-old teenagers to work beyond allowable hours, and “assigned them to operate manual deep fryers, a task considered a hazardous occupation.”  

Chick-fil-A 

• In Utah, investigators determined  two franchises illegally employed 237 minors, allowing “14- and 15-year-old employees to work past permitted hours, and for too many hours in a day.”  

• Investigators found a North Carolina operator “allowed three workers under the age of 18 to either operate, load or unload a trash compactor, all violations of federal child labor regulations that prohibit employing minors to perform hazardous jobs.”  

Jersey Mike’s Subs 

• In Northern Virginia, four locations employed “more than a dozen employees under the age of 16 to perform dangerous tasks and work longer than permitted in violation of federal child labor regulations.” 

• In four different locations in South Carolina, a franchise allowed “14 minor-aged children to operate power-driven meat slicers, a hazardous occupation under federal law.” That same franchise operator also had children working longer hours than allowed.  

Green America is a non-profit organization representing over 250,000 individual members and 2,000 small businesses. Our mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. 

The Child Labor Coalition (CLC) represents millions of Americans through 37 organizations that fight to protect worker rights, human rights, and child rights. CLC members include the nation’s largest union, the National Education Association, the National Consumers League, Human Rights Watch, and the Fair Labor Association, as well as numerous groups that are also concerned about the welfare of vulnerable children at risk of child labor exploitation. 

In April, the two groups launched a separate anti-child labor campaign aimed at four top U.S. meat processing companies (Perdue Farms, JBS, Tyson and Cargill) including launching a consumer petition and engaging a network of allied grassroots groups on the ground across the country. 

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MEDIA CONTACT: Parke Qua for Green America, (216) 276-2476 or pqua@hastingsgroupmedia.com. 

ABOUT  

Green America is the nation’s leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today’s social and environmental problems. http://www.GreenAmerica.org  

WASHINGTON, DC — July 14, 2025 — Soil & Climate Initiative (SCI) has officially released its Commitment & Verification Standard, Version 3.0 – a game-changing framework that revolutionizes how regenerative agriculture is measured and verified. The enhanced standard builds on SCI’s proven success working with over 160 farms across 350,000 acres in 27 states. 

"Our Standard bridges the critical gap between farm realities and marketplace confidence," said Kristen Efurd, SCI Verification Director. "Version 3.0 simplifies requirements while maintaining scientific rigor, making regenerative agriculture accessible to diverse production systems while giving consumers confidence in their food choices." 

The revamped standard centers on seven essential regenerative pillars: 

1. Minimizing soil disturbance 

2. Maintaining living roots in the ground year-round 

3. Keeping year-round soil coverage 

4. Maximizing diversity above and below ground 

5. Reducing synthetic inputs 

6. Continuous learning 

7. Appropriate integration of livestock 

SCI’s innovative four-tier verification system requires farmers to progressively advance their practices every three years, acknowledging regenerative agriculture as a journey of continuous improvement rather than a fixed destination. 

SCI’s independent verification program, administered by internationally recognized third-party verifier SCS Global Services, delivers a practical, science-based framework incorporating both in-field and laboratory soil testing to monitor improvements over time. For food and fashion brands, this creates credible product claims when sourcing ingredients from verified farms. 

"We meet farmers where they are," said Adam Kotin, SCI’s Managing Director. "By establishing clear milestones and requiring measurable outcomes, we're helping farmers build healthier soils and resilient operations while giving consumers and brands confidence in their regenerative choices." 

The SCI Commitment & Verification Standard Version 3.0 is now available at www.soilclimateinitiative.org/standards. 

SCI, a nonprofit, farmer-first program, was originally launched in 2019 (formerly the Soil Carbon Initiative) in collaboration with farms, companies, NGOs, and soil scientists. Its mission is to accelerate the transition of agricultural acres under regenerative management by supporting and engaging every link in the supply chain. SCI offers a holistic suite of services, such as farm planning and agronomic support, soil testing, supply chain engagement, reporting, and third-party verification. These efforts help drive measurable improvements in soil health outcomes, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, water quality, climate resilience, food security, farm profitability, and the overall well-being of rural communities. 

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ABOUT 

Soil & Climate Initiative (SCI) is a not-for-profit, farmer-first regenerative agriculture transition program with options for third-party verification. SCI empowers farmers, suppliers, food and fashion brands, investors, and landowners to scale regenerative agriculture management and maximize soil health outcomes, biodiversity, carbon storage, water quality, climate resiliency and farm economics. www.soilclimateinitiative.org   

Green America, founded in 1982, is the nation’s leading green economy organization. Green America provides economic strategies and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today’s most pressing social and environmental problems. www.greenamerica.org 

SCS Global Services (SCS) is a global leader in third-party certification, auditing, verification and standards development for over 40 years.  Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, food and agriculture, green building, product manufacturing, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. SCS is a California-chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. www.scsglobalservices.com 
 

MEDIA CONTACT: Max Karlin, (703) 276-3255 or mkarlin@hastingsgroupmedia.com 

We can help you move your money to support your community

By Cathy Becker, Responsible Finance Campaign Director

Earlier this year, Green America released its expanded and upgraded Get A Better Bank map, with 17,000 branches of 3,000 mission-driven banks and credit unions. These banks and credit unions invest in affordable housing, sustainable agriculture, small green businesses, lending to minority communities, and many other community-building activities.  

Our bank map is needed now more than ever, after the publication of Banking on Climate Chaos Fossil Fuel Finance Report 2025. The report spotlights how the largest banks in the world are profiting from fossil fuels that are driving us off the climate cliff. 

In its 16th edition, this year’s Banking on Climate Chaos report analyzes lending and underwriting by the world’s 65 largest banks for corporations involved in the extraction, transportation, transmission, distribution, combustion, trade, or storage of fossil fuels. The report is authored by Rainforest Action Network and seven other environmental nonprofits. 

The findings are stark:  

• These 65 banks committed $869 billion to fossil fuel companies in 2024 -- $162 billion more than the previous year.  

• Of that amount, $429 billion went to companies expanding fossil fuel production and infrastructure.  

• Over 2/3 of these banks (45 of 65) increased fossil fuel financing from 2023 to 2024. Even more (48 of 65) increased finance for fossil fuel expansion. 

As in previous years, U.S. banks play a key role in fossil fuel finance, with 10 among the 65 highest fossil fuel financers.  

The longer-term numbers are even worse: 

• The 65 largest banks have committed $3.3 trillion in fossil fuel financing since 2021 -- the year the International Energy Agency published its Net Zero by 2050 roadmap, which found no room for any expansion of fossil fuels. 

• The 65 largest banks have committed $7.9 trillion in fossil fuel financing since 2016 -- the year the Paris Agreement went into effect, when all nations of the world committed to keeping global heating to no more than 1.5° C (2.7° F).  

Last year, 2024, was the world’s hottest year on record, with the 10 warmest years occurring in the last decade. Last year also saw 27 climate disasters costing $1 billion or more in the United States.  

This year, 2025, has already seen the deadly Los Angeles wildfires estimated to cost $250 million in damages and economic loss. Climate change made these fires 35% more likely, according to an attribution study .  

How Wall Street banks see our climate future 

Yet the world’s largest banks are not only knowingly financing this destruction, they are looking to profit from it.  

Recent reports from Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase show that top Wall Street financial institutions think the world will blow through the 2°C upper limit set by the Paris Agreement. “We now expect a 3C world,” the Morgan Stanley report states.  

At 3°C (5.4°F) of global warming, scientists predict 600 million people will be forced to migrate due to flooding from rising seas, food production will drop by half, and wildlife habitats will suffer devastating loss.  

As Gunther Thallinger of Allianz Insurance says, at 3°C “risk cannot be transferred (no insurance), risk cannot be absorbed (no public capacity), and risk cannot be adapted to (physical limits exceeded). That means no more mortgages, no new real estate development, no long-term investment, no financial stability. The financial sector as we know it ceases to function. And with it, capitalism as we know it ceases to be viable.” 

Yet Morgan Stanley sees 3°C as a business opportunity, predicting the growth rate for the $235 billion air conditioning market from 3% to 7% by 2030.  

Whether due to market predictions or the well-funded and coordinated anti-ESG campaign, Wall Street banks are walking back their previous climate commitments. 

This year, all six US members of Net Zero Banking Alliance, founded in 2021 to unite banks on climate action, left the alliance – even after it had weakened its goal from 1.5°C to 2°C of warming. Wells Fargo went the furthest, abandoning its 2030 and 2050 climate goals entirely. 

One thing is clear: We can no longer rely on voluntary action by big banks to address the climate crisis. Nor have they responded to years of customer pressure.  

As this year’s Banking on Climate Chaos report says, “Banking regulators, supervisors, and policymakers must take measures to align financial activities with climate goals for economic stability in the face of the worsening climate emergency.” 

Unfortunately, US policymakers and regulators are not likely to require these banks to change anytime soon 

What can you do?  

Fortunately, you don’t have to participate in a system that feeds global destruction. If you have a bank account in or credit card issued by one of the 10 US banks or another bank tracked by Banking on Climate Chaos, you can move your money.  

Green America’s Get A Better Bank map lists community development banks and credit unions across the United States. Wherever you are, you can find one near you.  

These banks and credit unions have a mission to serve their communities – whether that’s helping first-time home buyers obtain a mortgage, supporting local entrepreneurs to launch a new business, or financing a city park or community center.  

Making the switch is easier than you think. Our 10 steps to Break Up with Your Megabank shows you how – and stories of people who have made the switch offer inspiration.  

If you have already made the switch to a better bank or credit union, please tell us about it!  Fill out our Share My Story form.  

If you have not already broken up with your megabank, the time to make the switch is now. If it seems daunting, start with one account and then move the others over time. Allowing Wall Street banks to continue using your money to knowingly and deliberately destroy people and planet is not an option.  

On the frontlines

Among the frontlines of fossil fuel financing is my home state of Ohio, the only state to lease its state parks and public lands for oil and gas extraction. So far thousands of acres of the state’s largest and most iconic park, Salt Fork, have been leased for fracking, along with six wildlife areas: Valley Run, Zepernick, Keen, Leesville, Egypt Valley, and Jockey Hollow. In many cases these lands were donated or purchased with the understanding they would be protected in perpetuity. All 10 US megabanks finance the oil and gas companies given leases to frack Ohio public lands, including JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Truist, PNC, US Bancorp, and Capital One.  

Photo: Aftermath of the Groh frack pad explosion near Salt Fork State Park, Guernsey County, Ohio.

Thanks to opposition from Green America and our members joining with local and national allies, two industrial-sized biomass plants proposed for California were defeated in late June 2025. The two plants, that would have been run by the international wood pellet company Drax, would have destroyed up to 1.3 million acres of forests, polluted communities and exacerbated climate change while doing nothing to mitigate wildfires.  The wood pellets would have been burned overseas to generate electricity that was marketed as renewable.  

Facing immense community opposition and financial uncertainty, Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR), the entity trying to get the plants approved, canceled their plans. This is a historic victory for forests, the climate, and the residents of California.  
  
A coalition of grassroots, national, and international groups used public engagement, earned media, and social media to fight the plans to build destructive wood pellet plants in the central Sierras in Tuolumne County and in Northern California in Lassen County, as well as a a storage and export terminal in Stockton, California.   These plants would have threatened important forest ecosystems and polluted local communities. 

While this is a major victory, we are not completely out of the woods yet. GSNR is considering large-scale wood chip production which could still irrevocably harm California forests, communities, and climate, and could increase air pollution, particularly around sensitive communities. But for now, it’s a victory for the planet and communities. 

SACRAMENTO, CA (June 25, 2025) – Facing immense community opposition and financial uncertainty, Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR) today canceled plans to build two industrial-scale wood pellet plants, a historic victory for forests, the climate, and the residents of California. 
 
A coalition of grassroots, national, and international groups fought the plans to build destructive wood pellet plants in the central Sierras in Tuolumne County and another in Northern California in Lassen County, as well as a storage and export terminal in Stockton, California. 

Today, GSNR announced plans “to explore alternative approaches for implementing their project” at its board of directors meeting, effectively canceling plans to build the controversial wood pellet facilities and export terminal. The company cited: 

• The amount of input received during the California Environmental Quality Act Process with the draft environmental impact report (DEIR), which reached 50,000 comments in opposition 

• Current biomass market conditions, which have weakened after governments turned away from subsidizing the industry and accompanying facility closures 

California communities in the impact zones of the proposed pellet facilities and the export terminal as well as campaigners have sounded the alarm on GSNR and its false solutions for over two years.  

GSNR’s board voted on three options and chose to pursue wood chip production, which effectively means it will go back to the drawing board, recirculate a revised impact statement, and give the public another opportunity for comment. 

Large-scale wood chip production could still irrevocably harm California forests, communities, and climate, and could increase air pollution, particularly around sensitive communities. For years, the biomass industry has deceived customers about their sourcing and climate impacts, destroyed forests, and polluted communities. At this time, it is apparent that GSNR’s wood pellet plans are shelved no matter what. The wood pellet biomass industry has been stopped from getting a foothold in California. As GSNR reimagines its product development from wood pellets for export to domestic wood chipping, the company’s history of shoddy public involvement provides strong warning to Californians. 

The coalition will be waiting for GSNR to recirculate its DEIR and look forward to reviewing and commenting.  

Here is what coalition members are saying:  
 
Gloria Alonso Cruz, Environmental Justice Advocacy Coordinator with Little Manila Rising in Stockton: “There’s absolutely no room for false climate solutions at the only inland port in California’s Central Valley: Stockton. For generations, industrial activity and the ongoing failure to seek community input on environmental compliance have worsened socioenvironmental conditions for South Stocktonians. We’re the 35^th asthma capital in the world! We see the cost of industrial pollution firsthand when our loved ones experience the devastating impacts of chronic respiratory conditions. With this announcement, vulnerable communities in South Stockton can breathe a sigh of relief knowing we’ve protected our community from GSNR. We remain committed to supporting and standing in solidarity with communities that could be impacted by GSNR’s shift. While our port missed this opportunity to say ‘no’ to this harmful project, we now turn our attention to its leadership—to demand commitment to development that values advocates’ input and does not threaten our community’s health.” 

Megan Fiske, Environmental Advocate at Ebbetts Pass Forest Watch in Tuolumne County: “Rural communities like Tuolumne and Calaveras counties have made it clear they want businesses that support the local economy, not big boom and bust industrial pursuits like those posed by GSNR’s project. It is a shame so much time and taxpayer money was wasted waiting for GSNR to realize what rural Californians already know - big biomass is a boondoggle. Fire resiliency starts at home, and we could’ve spent millions of dollars far more effectively protecting homes and neighborhoods in our communities instead of ignoring the voice of the public and allowing GSNR to pursue this oversized, counterproductive business scheme.  Yes, we need different forest management to protect our communities but it should be driven by the community, not corporate interests looking to make a profit off rural communities’ hardships.”  

Shaye Wolf, Ph.D., Climate Science Director at the Center for Biological Diversity: “Stopping this dirty, dangerous wood pellet export project is a big victory for communities, the climate and our forests. Our forests shouldn’t be fed to the woodchipper for polluting biomass pellets shipped overseas. Unfortunately, the new proposal to sacrifice forests and communities to make dirty biomass products here in California is still bad for the climate, public health and wildlife. We’ll continue to fight to protect our forests from being industrialized for corporate profit.” 

Matt Holmes, Project Director for Valley Improvement Projects: “California's Environmental justice communities are worried that GSNR will now seek allies among the tidal wave of new energy projects ravenously applying for federal and state carbon capture credits. Those carbon credits are predictably propping unnecessary industrial facilities promising unproven results, categorically increasing pollution almost exclusively in our most vulnerable communities.”  

Nick Joslin, Policy and Advocacy Director, Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center: “We have watched for decades as the dirty biomass industry has been buoyed by taxpayer subsidies and then collapsed once this corporate welfare runs dry. We are not surprised to see GSNR pivot away from their colossal pellet scheme as planned that required subsidies at every step of the process and left our communities with more pollution, greater fire risk, and our forests ravaged by increased logging.”  

Gary Hughes, Biofuelwatch, Americas Program Coordinator: “As Golden State Natural Resources pulls the plug on their poorly conceived proposal to bring global wood pellet industry villains like Drax to California, our organization Biofuelwatch celebrates the results of an amazing statewide, nationwide and worldwide campaign that has successfully put a spotlight on the threats that the dirty biomass energy sector represents to forest ecosystems and local communities."  

Mary Elizabeth, M.S., R.E.H.S., Delta-Sierra Group Conservation Chair, Sierra Club: “Having to learn more about biomass collection, pellet production, and international markets for a project that would increase harm to the Stockton community, I learned about how words can be twisted such as calling the project “Golden State Natural Resources Forest Resiliency Demonstration Project.”  We hope that any revised draft environmental document will fully consider the greenhouse gas emissions (pollution) and harms to ecosystem resilience, along with more open collaboration to discuss local and regional efforts that will reduce wildfire impacts.”  

Dan Howells, Climate Campaigns Director at Green America: “Californians exposed the false solutions of biomass and have hopefully put an end to the industry coming for our forests. Today’s announcement that GSNR is no longer considering biomass for export comes after tens of thousands of people told GSNR and Drax that California’s forests and communities are better off without industrial scale biomass destruction and the pollution that comes with it. Now, we need to ensure that California doesn’t pursue in-state biomass energy and instead pursues true renewable energy and wildfire mitigation for homes and communities.”   

Maya Khosla, Sonoma County Climate Activist Network (SOCOCAN!): “We have objected to the GSNR project from its inception and our voices have been heard. Using wood from forests as source material for bioenergy or biofuels is the dirtiest form of energy. Using forest wood also results in the opposite of forest resiliency – dried-out soils and depleted forests – creates massive emissions from the processing, transportation and smokestacks, leads to health and safety risks to communities near and far. The emissions from extractions far exceed wildfire emissions (by a factor of 5 or more) and include greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are not being counted as emissions. Inevitably, the emissions worsen the climate crisis and create conditions for even worse wildfires. To deal with the emissions, industries are now proposing to pump the carbon dioxide underground, a process called “carbon capture and storage” (CCS), which is potentially dangerous, has resulted in serious accidents and injuries, and comes with no guarantee that the carbon dioxide will remain underground. The efficacy of CCS has been questioned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and others. We need to move away from bioenergy and biofuels.”  

Esther Mburu, Carbon Policy Analyst, Restore the Delta: "The Delta begins in the Sierra Nevada forests, and what happens upstream directly affects water quality downstream. We're relieved that the export terminal appears to be off the table, but shipping wood pellets overseas was never about clean energy. It was about propping up dirty coal plants abroad while degrading the watershed that feeds California's water supply. As GSNR considers domestic alternatives, we'll continue advocating for real solutions that protect both our interconnected waterways and the communities that depend on them."   

Mary Booth, Director, Partnership for Policy Integrity: “Scientists and advocates keep trying to explain to policymakers that burning trees isn’t going to help the climate. Advocates will continue fight this multi-million-dollar climate con in its new incarnation.” 

Rita Vaughan Frost, Forest Advocate at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council): “We spelled out the writing on the wall: GSNR’s biomass boondoggle is not welcome in California communities. Californians raised their voices to show they want real clean energy and real solutions to wildfires, not to see their forests ransacked, and communities poisoned just to export climate-busting wood pellets overseas. As GSNR reinvents itself, NRDC remains steadfast in our commitment to stand by communities that have won this hard-fought victory over the wood pellet biomass industry. While they may be donning the new clothes of wood chip production, we are ready to analyze the climate, forest, and community impacts of this newest iteration." 

# # # 

Little Manila Rising (LMR) serves the South Stockton community, developing equitable solutions to the effects of historical marginalization, institutionalized racism, and harmful public policy. LMR offers a wide spectrum of programs that address education, environment, redevelopment, and public health. LMR values all people’s unique and diverse experiences and wishes to see the residents of South Stockton enjoy healthy, prosperous lives.   

Ebbetts Pass Forest Watch (EPFW) works to protect, promote, and restore heathy forests and watersheds to maintain the quality of life in the Sierra Nevada. Ebbetts Pass Forest Watch supports responsible forest management and logging methods. 

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.7 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.   

Valley Improvement Projects (VIP) strives to reach-out to low-income and working class communities, communities of color, immigrants, Spanish-speakers, LGBTQ community, religious minorities, indigenous communities, youth, elders, people with disabilities, houseless community, and many others who carry the extra burdens of our society.   

Since 1988, the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center has played a pivotal role in preserving the integrity of Mount Shasta and its surroundings. Our bioregional perspective encompasses not only natural interconnected systems but also their cultural layers that constitute the human relationship to the land. We work through public education, science-based public policy and advocacy, legal challenges, restoration, watershed monitoring, forest stewardship, building partnerships and alliances, and engaging the local community to connect with and protect our bioregion."  

 Biofuelwatch provides information and undertakes advocacy and campaigning in relation to the climate, biodiversity, land and human rights and public health impacts of large-scale industrial bioenergy.  We are a small team of staff and volunteers based in Europe and the USA.   

The Delta-Sierra Group of the Mother Lode Chapter is a regional unit of the Sierra Club that organizes outdoor activities and focuses attention on environmental issues. We all agree to practice the Sierra Club motto that you should "Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet."   

Green America is the nation’s leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today’s social and environmental problems.   

SOCOCAN (www.SonomaCountyCan.ORG), is an umbrella for 50 organizations and 300 individuals.    

Restore the Delta works in the areas of public education, program and policy development, and outreach so that all Californians recognize the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta as part of California’s natural heritage, deserving of restoration. We interface with local, state and federal agencies to advance this vision.  

The Partnership for Policy Integrity (PFPI) uses data-driven advocacy and litigation to fight for forests, communities, and the climate. 

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).     

In 2021, Juneteenth became a national holiday- and for many this was their first time hearing about the holiday. But this day isn’t about a free day off work or no school. This holiday has been celebrated by Black Americans for years. The legacy of Black Americans is often overlooked by this country which is why July 4th is not the day that marks their independence - June 19th is! 

Juneteenth marks the 19th day in June 1865, when Black people in Galveston, Texas were informed — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation — that slavery was abolished, and the civil war ended. This brought liberation to Black Texans (and Black Americans everywhere). The significance of Juneteenth is more relevant now than ever, because “freedom” is represented in Black communities through their influence, art, music, and cultural foods.  

We hope the information, events, actions, and suggestions of Black-led organizations to support will strengthen your commemoration of Juneteenth. 

History/ Community /Social Justice

History of Juneteenth  

History of Juneteenth: Information for kids  

From Juneteenth to Reparations: Reclaiming Our Stolen Stories 

Juneteenth Virtual Toolkit – Smithsonian  

Juneteenth Foods and Traditions 

Juneteenth: Teaching Outside the Textbook 

Celebrating Juneteenth: Books from Penguin Random House 

Economy:

How Systemic Racism Keeps Black Americans Out of Investing 

Shop Black Owned: Green America  

How One City Beat the U.S. to Making Juneteenth an Official Paid Holiday 

Realizing Reparations – YES Magazine Series 

Environment:

8 Black Leaders Who've Revolutionized the Climate Movement 

Black Americans’ Connection to Land Leads to Serenity 

Maine Public Radio – Living on Earth Juneteenth Special 

Events:

Search “Juneteenth” and your city or state to find celebrations and ways to volunteer near you 

Juneteenth Festival 2025 – Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission 

Central Park Conservancy – Celebrate Juneteenth 

A Guide to Philly Juneteenth Celebrations 

10+ Uptown NYC Events Celebrating Juneteenth 

How to Celebrate Juneteenth 2025 in Chicago 

Juneteenth Events in Virginia 

NBC – Honoring Juneteenth in Los Angeles 

Black Women for Wellness – Juneteenth Boots on the Ground Celebration in LA 

MFA Boston – Juneteenth Open House 

Header photo: Three young women celebrate Juneteenth in Grant Park, Chicago on June 19, 2020. Photo by Antwon McCullen.

Comcast may entertain but all those streaming programs and entertainment comes at a cost – climate change.

Walmart has a huge climate problem. Refrigerators in the companies’ stores are using potent super-pollutant gases, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), that are leaking and accelerating the climate crisis.

529 savings plans

The cost of college has more than doubled in the 21st century. Currently the average in-state student at a public university spends over $27,000 per year, while the average private university student spends over $58,000 per year.  

Educational savings plans, known as 529 plans after a section of IRS code, are tax-deferred savings plans that can be used to pay for educational expenses. The District of Columbia and all states except Wyoming offer 529 plans.  

While 529 plans are usually used to pay for college costs, recent legislation allows them to cover K-12 education and apprenticeship programs, student loan repayments, and Roth IRA contributions. 

There are two types of 529 plans: college savings plans and prepaid tuition plans.

College savings plans 

By far the most common type of 529 plan, college savings plans allow anyone – but typically a parent or grandparent – to establish a savings and investment account for a beneficiary – typically a child or grandchild.  

The account holder contributes to the plan and chooses what to invest in. Investment options vary by state, but most states offer mutual funds including target-date funds and index funds. Some but not all states also offer socially responsible funds. 

Anyone including friends and extended family can contribute to a 529 plan. You can open a 529 plan in any state, not just the state where you live, but tax benefits vary.  

Maximum contribution limits also vary by state, from $235,000 in Mississippi and Georgia to over $500,000 in Pennsylvania, New York, and California. 

College savings plans can be used to pay for any qualified expense, including tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Because funds are contributed post-tax, withdrawals are tax free. 

Prepaid tuition plans 

Prepaid tuition plans allow you to lock in college or university tuition at the current rate for a beneficiary who will not be attending for years. Only nine states participate -- Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Texas, Virginia, and Washington – and the money can only be used to pay tuition. 

Prepaid tuition plans are a great hedge against the rising cost of tuition if you live in one of the nine states and your beneficiary knows they want to attend college in state. However, unlike college savings plans, the money cannot be used to pay for books, fees, room or board; nor can it be used for K-12 education or repay student loans. 

Socially responsible 529 plans

Investing for a child's education means investing in the future -- and you can use your investments to help create a better world for the children of today to inherit when they grow up.

Unfortunately, socially responsible funds are not available in every state 529 plan -- so you may have to look for an educational savings plan outside your state.

Fossil Free California lists several states that offer fossil-free or nearly fossil free options through three funds: the Parnassus Core Equity Fund (PRBLX), the Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund (VFTAX), and the Fidelity Climate Action Fund (FCAEX).  

Many 529 offer age-based "enrollment date" funds that shift from aggressive to more conservative portfolios as the child nears college age. California offers the only age-based ESG fund made up of several Nuveen and TIAA mutual funds. However, these funds are not fossil free. You can find out what a mutual fund or ETF holds by using As You Sow's Fossil Free Funds.

Your investments can be used to build a more sustainable and equitable world. Racial justice investing can help.

Next: Racial Justice Investing

Green America is not an investment adviser, nor do we provide financial planning, legal, or tax advice. Nothing in our communications or materials shall constitute or be construed as an offering of financial instruments or as investment advice or investment recommendations. 

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How to open an IRA

If you are self-employed or don’t work for an employer that has a retirement plan, you can still save and invest for retirement on your own through an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), a tax-advantaged account that helps you save and invest for retirement.  

Steps to open an IRA account include: 

1. Decide how to manage your IRA investments

Unlike a pension, 401(k), or 403(b) plan, which give you little to no say on your investment options, an IRA lets you invest in whatever stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and other assets you want. But the dizzying array of investment options can be overwhelming.

You can manage your IRA’s investments by working with an online broker or a robo-advisor.

• An online broker will provide a wide-ranging menu of investment options. They can help you set up your account and answer questions, but you are responsible for choosing what to invest in.
• A robo-advisor is an algorithm-driven investment platform. It will ask you a series of questions to identify your financial goals, time frame and risk tolerance – then it will select and manage your IRA investments for you based on your answers.

2. Decide where to open an IRA

You can open an IRA at a brokerage firm such as Charles Schwab or Fidelity, as well as at some banks, mutual fund companies, or life insurance companies.

Look for factors like management fees, investment minimums, available investments, planning tools, educational resources, and customer service. Some IRAs even match your contributions up to a certain amount.

3. Choose an IRA account type

There are two main types of IRAs, each with different tax implications:

• Traditional IRA. You contribute money pre-tax, which brings down your tax liability now – but when you withdraw your funds later, those payments are taxed. This could be preferable if you will be in a lower tax bracket at retirement. You can start withdrawing from an IRA at age 59½, and you must start withdrawing by age 73. Withdrawals before age 59½ are subject to a extra 10% tax penalty.
• Roth IRA. You contribute money after-tax. You can’t withdraw funds for five years, but then you can withdraw the initial contributions tax-free and penalty-free as long as you meet certain requirements. After age 59½, all withdrawals are tax-free.

4. Open an IRA and fund your account

Usually you open an IRA account online. You’ll need personal documentation to prove your identity as well as financial information such as your bank account. 

Once your account is set up, you can fund it in a variety of ways:  

• Roll over a 401(k), or 403(b) retirement account from a previous employer or roll over funds from a different IRA account. 
• Transfer funds from your bank account one time or set up auto-transfers 

You can contribute up to $7,000 to an IRA account in 2025, with an additional catch-up contribution of $1,000 for people ages 50 and up. 

Socially responsible options

Individual Retirement Accounts hold $14.5 trillion in assets worldwide; of that, an estimated $435 billion is invested in fossil fuels.

Fortunately, it is much easier for IRA holders to invest in socially responsible funds than for pension fund members or 401(k) / 403(b) plan participants. However, managing an IRA may require more engagement.

• Start by defining your values and goals. Do you want your investments to make a difference in climate change? Affordable housing? Racial equity? Knowing which issues are most important to you will help guide your investment decisions. This questionnaire from US SIF can help.
• Learn how responsible investing works in practice, and about its performance and popularity.
• Research socially responsible and ESG funds. Look for funds that align with your values and have a track record of strong performance. As You Sow's Invest Your Values rates funds on a variety of issues and lets you compare performance to a benchmark fund.

If researching socially responsible options for your retirement plan becomes overwhelming, you don't have to go it alone. You can find a financial advisor. Green America has several listings of financial advisors who understand socially responsible investing and can help you make the most of your investments.

Are you looking to save for a child's college education? An educational savings plan can help.

Next: Educational Savings Plans

Green America is not an investment adviser, nor do we provide financial planning, legal, or tax advice. Nothing in our communications or materials shall constitute or be construed as an offering of financial instruments or as investment advice or investment recommendations. 

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Perhaps you are nearing retirement, or maybe retirement seems like a long way into the future. Either way, now is a good time to start saving.

If you are just starting out, you can use the runway of time to your advantage. Investing is most effective when you have a long time. The longer you have, the less you need to set aside each month.

If you are nearing retirement but have fallen behind, you can add a catch-up contribution to your retirement account. The closer you are to retirement, the higher the limit on catch-up contributions.

Types of employer-sponsored retirement plans

Either way, it's important to know how your retirement plan works. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) covers two main types of employer-sponsored retirement plans:

• Defined benefit plan, which promises a certain monthly benefit at retirement paid to you for the rest of your life, such as a pension.  
• Defined contribution plan, which invests contributions into a fund the employee can draw from at retirement, such as a 401(k) or 403(b) plan. 

In both types of plans, both the employer and employee can contribute – often the employer will match employee contributions up to a certain amount or percentage of their salary. Also in both cases, the money is invested into a portfolio of assets – stocks, bond, mutual funds, ETFs, and sometimes other asset classes.  

The main differences are:  

• Employees can usually choose from a limited range of investment options for a 401(k) or 403(b) plan, but have no input on how a pension fund is invested. 
• Employees know what the benefit for the pension will be, but the benefit for the 401(k) or 403(b) depends on how the market performs. 

Take the free money!

If you are lucky enough to work for a company or organization that has a retirement plan with an employee match, take them up on it! At least contribute enough to get the employer match – that's free money set aside to work for you until your retirement. 

If you leave your current employer, you can always roll over your contributions and whatever employer contributions you are vested in tax-free to another employer’s retirement plan or an individual retirement account. 

The limits on how much you can contribute to a 401(k) or 403(b) plan are quite high: $23,500 in 2025, with a catch-up of an additional $7,500 for people ages 50 to 59 or 64+, and $11,250 for people ages 60 to 63. The total contribution limit for both employee and employer contributions is $70,000.

Getting responsible funds into your retirement plan

The main disadvantage of an employer-sponsored retirement plan, whether a pension or 401(k) / 403(b), is the lack of choice of the funds you can invest in. Even worse, most invest billions in fossil fuels.

Pension Funds

With more than $46 trillion in assets worldwide, pension funds are among the largest institutional investors in the fossil fuel industry, holding nearly 30% of all fossil fuel shares, according to Climate Safe Pensions Network. Among the largest holders are:

• California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) with $13.8 billion in fossil fuel investments
• Washington State Investment Board (WSIB) with $8 billion in fossil fuel investments
• New York State Teachers' Retirement System (NYSTRS) with $7.6 billion in fossil fuel investments
• Minnesota State Board of Investment (MSBI) with $7 billion in fossil fuel investments
• State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) with $6.5 billion in fossil fuel investments

Pension funds are typically managed by a state investment board and governed by state law. But citizens in many cities, counties, and states have joined together to launch divestment campaigns.

Some campaigns have successfully advocated for passing state laws such as Maine LD 99 of 2021, which required the state to divest from fossil fuels, and Oregon's COAL Act of 2024, which required the state to divest from coal.

401(k) and 403(b) Plans

Defined-contribution plans such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s hold $11.3 trillion in assets; of that, an estimated $339 billion is invested in fossil fuels. Unfortunately, most employer-sponsored retirement plans have few to no socially responsible fund options, according to As You Sow's Invest Your Values 401k Scorecard.

Among the large companies with no sustainable fund options are tech giants Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, and Oracle; insurance companies Chubb, Progressive, and State Farm; and retailers Dollar Tree, PetSmart, and Target.

The strongest voice to advocate for a company to add more sustainable fund options to its retirement plan are its employees. In 2024, over 1,000 Google employees sent a letter to management asking for fossil-free options. As a result, the company added the Parnassus Core Equity Fund.

You can learn how to advocate for your company to add socially and environmentally responsible funds to your retirement with Green America's Plan for a Better Future guide. This will show you how to research socially responsible fund options, bring in other employees, and take your proposals to Human Resources and company management.

What if you don't work for a company that has a retirement plan or pension fund? Individual Retirement Accounts can help.

Next: Individual Retirement Accounts

Green America is not an investment adviser, nor do we provide financial planning, legal, or tax advice. Nothing in our communications or materials shall constitute or be construed as an offering of financial instruments or as investment advice or investment recommendations. 

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Social investing in the long-term

Most people invest to meet a goal, whether for themselves or someone else. 

• Investing for yourself may mean funding your retirement, whether through an employer-sponsored plan or individual retirement account.
• Investing for someone else may mean funding a child’s or grandchild's education.  

Whatever the goal, investing even a small amount each month can really add up thanks to compound interest – especially if your goal is years in the future. The best time to start investing was yesterday, but the next best time is now. 

Click on the boxes below to learn about employer-sponsored retirement plans, individual retirement plans, and educational savings plans. 

Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans

Individual Retirement Accounts

Educational Savings Plans

Green America is not an investment adviser, nor do we provide financial planning, legal, or tax advice. Nothing in our communications or materials shall constitute or be construed as an offering of financial instruments or as investment advice or investment recommendations. 

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In 2025, Pride Month is more important than ever. Five years ago, legislators introduced just over 100 bills targeting LGBTQ+ people. In 2025, activists are tracking over 900, a majority of them aimed at the transgender community. LGBTQ+ rights and safety are facing major setbacks, both in the United States and abroad.   

LGBTQ+ people have always existed, but in the US, those identities were not just unaccepted but criminalized throughout history. The Immigration Act of 1917 prohibited LGBTQ immigrants, classifying them as “persons of constitutional psychopathic inferiority.” This remained in place in the 1952 Immigration Act. One year later in 1953, an Executive Order included “sexual perversion” for the first time as a basis to fire someone from federal employment.  

There was a turning point in June 1969, when patrons, led by transgender women of color, at the New York City gay bar The Stonewall Inn fought back when police attacked them during a routine raid of gay bars. Protests where activists demanded the right to live openly popped up in New York and around the country. In June 1970, the one-year anniversary of Stonewall, pride marches took place for the first time in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.   

LGBTQ+ rights came to the forefront but still faced objections. The 1986 Supreme Court case Bowers v. Hardwick upheld a ban on consensual, homosexual sex acts, and it was only in 1990 that homosexuality was removed as grounds for exclusion from immigration to the US. The Clinton Administration allowed LGBTQ+ people in the military but discriminatorily made them remain closeted. There have been some successes since then. In 2015, the Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states and Stonewall was named a national monument in 2016—two victories that are under attack once again.  

We must remember, though, that Pride Month is also a time for joy and celebration. The LGBTQ+ community has continually met resistance with resilience and those who are members of the community, and the allies who love them, deserve to take pride in who they are. The state of the world may only get harder for LGBTQ+ people in the coming years, so it is vital we continue to fight, protect, and uplift everyone in the community. Transgender people disproportionately are targets for discrimination, bullying, hate speech, violence, and legislation that strips them of their rights. Over 1.6 million people aged 13+ in the US identify as transgender - they are our brothers, sisters, neighbors, friends, teachers, colleagues, and beyond - and they deserve to live in a safe, loving, and just world.  

As with all heritage months, we celebrate our differences, acknowledge historical victories and setbacks, and fight for justice for people who may be of different backgrounds than oneself. This month brings us together to remember, honor, and be inspired by LGBTQ+ pride and history as well as the countless individuals of those backgrounds who have made tremendous contributions to our country.   

To help enhance your celebration with content you can use all year long, Green America is pleased to share Pride resources that highlight accomplishments, and the justice still needed in society, the economy, and the environment. We do this as a reflection of our vision: “to work for a world where all people have enough, where all communities are healthy and safe, and where the abundance of the Earth is preserved for all the generations to come.”    

Together, let’s celebrate and recommit ourselves to building a just society.   

History/Community 

Untraditional Bonds, Unconditional Care  

What is Pride Month and the History of Pride? 

Economy 

Why LGBTQ Inclusivity Is Good for Business   

LGBTQ ECONOMIC SECURITY   

America’s LGBT Economy Report  

Social Justice 

Take Action with Trans Equality  

Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures in 2025  

Supporting the Transgender People in Your Life: A Guide to Being a Good Ally  

PFLAG: Join the Fight  

The Art of Queer Joy  

The Risk of Gentrifying Queerness  

A Call for Liberation 

Environment 

Queering Outdoor Spaces Heals People and the Earth   

We Grow Where We Go: LGBTQ+ Farmers Put Down Roots  

Striking a Pose in Sustainable Drag  

Nature is queer. Queer ecologists want us to learn from it.  

Why Climate Justice Must Include LGBTQ+ Justice  

Climate Solutions Need Queerness 

Check Out These 4 LGBTQI Environmental Organizations 
 

Events

• DC Pride - World Pride  

• Baltimore Pride Fest 

• NYC Pride  

• NY Public Library Pride Events 

• Chicago Pride  

• Atlanta Pride  

• Charlotte Pride  

• Twin Cities Pride  

• Houston Pride  

• Austin Pride  

• San Francisco Pride  

• LA Pride  

• Portland Pride  

• Seattle Pride  

• Denver Pride  

• Boston Pride  

• Find more cities, in the US and around the world here: 2025 Global Gay Pride Calendar  

• Find your local LGBTQ+ Community Center: Find a CenterLink Member in our LGBTQ Community Center Directory (lgbtqcenters.org)  

Virtual Events: 

A Photographic History of LGBTQ+ Pride: from Protest to Celebration - Wednesday, June 18  

United We Thrive: Pride, Wellness, and Community – Multiple Days  

Understanding & Addressing Anti-Trans Hate: Pride Month Lunch & Learn – Friday, June 27  

Intersections of LGBTQIA+ and Disability – Wednesday, June 11  

The Ally Starter Pack: Gender, Identities and Language – Multiple Days  

Blooming Workplaces, Cultivating 2SLGBTQ+ Inclusive Spaces – Monday, June 23  

Beyond Pride: Strengthening Economic Opportunity for LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs – Tuesday, June 17  

Books:

 We are Everywhere By Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown  

 Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin  

Fairest by Meredith Talusan  

 How to Live Free in a Dangerous World by Shayla Lawson  

Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni  

All My Mother’s Lovers by Ilana Masad  

Tomorrow Will Be Different by Sarah McBride  

First Time for Everything by Henry Fry  

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe  

Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde  

All About Love by bell hooks  

Angels in America by Tony Kushner  

Transgender History by Susan Stryker  

A Queer History of the United States by Michael Bronski  

Tomorrow Will Be Different by Sarah McBride  

The Stonewall Reader, Edited by New York Public Library and Jason Baumann  

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Green America harnesses economic power — the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace — to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. Together, we can protect our beautiful planet and all its people!

About Us

Victories

Take Action

Looking to grow your Climate Victory Garden with confidence? Whether you’re just starting out or ready to dig deeper, this curated index offers trusted tips, guides, and tools to support your journey. You’ll also find an alphabetical version of this resource for easy browsing.

Gardening Resources Index

Gardening Resources - Alphabetical Index

By Cathy Cowan Becker, Responsible Finance Campaign Director

On May 7, Cameron Hamilton, acting administrator of FEMA, told Congress, “I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency.”  

Within a day, Hamilton was out, replaced by Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary David Richardson, who told agency staff, “Don’t get in my way ... because I will run right over you” in enacting an agenda of pushing disaster relief to the states.  

That same day, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced it would discontinue updating its Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database, widely used by insurance companies, city officials, and more. 

The database -- which shows an ever-increasing number and severity of natural disasters in recent years -- draws from both public and private data shared by industry and nonprofits, so is not easily replicable.  

Public opinion 

All of this is the opposite of what the American people want, according to two recent opinion polls by Data for Progress.  

One poll conducted in March 2025 for the Insurance Fairness Project found 67% of likely voters across party lines are concerned about increasing extreme weather events, and 74% believe a property insurance crisis will affect them personally. Yet 61% think the federal government is not doing enough to address this crisis.

Another poll in January 2025 found that 67% of likely voters prefer funding public insurance over allowing private insurance to charge higher premiums to cover increasing storm damage. Policies with voter support include: 

• Funding disaster prevention and resilience at the community level (74%) 

• Paying some costs of home insurance for low- and moderate-income households (71%) 

• Creating a national insurance fund to cover damages from extreme weather events (68%) 

• Providing home insurance coverage to Americans directly from the federal government (67%). 

Likely voters blame the current property insurance crisis most on CEOs of insurance companies (85%), climate change (72%), and inflation (83%) -- but fewer (62%) connect it to the fossil fuel industry driving more frequent and intense storms of the climate crisis.  

The data are clear

Thanks in part to the actions of over 5,400 Green Americans, in January the Federal Insurance Office released a trove of zip-code-level data on how climate change has affected property insurance, with reporting on 250 million policies by 330 insurance companies from 2018 through 2022.  

Now allied organizations Revolving Door Project and Public Citizen have used this information to create Mapping the Home Insurance Crisis, showing property insurance trends on an interactive map. You can see how metrics such as average premium, average claim amount, and claim frequency change in zip codes across the United States.  

The results show home insurance is becoming less available and more expensive across the nation. Nor is the crisis limited to coastal states like California, Florida, and Louisiana – it is spreading across the Midwest into areas once thought to be climate havens.  

Another report by Consumer Federation of America analyzes purchased proprietary data to find property insurance premiums have increased an average of 24% over the past three years – an extra $21 billion in price hikes for Americans.  

A typical homeowner with a mid-range credit score and a $350,000 home replacement value paid an average premium of $3,303 in 2024 -- $648 more than in 2021.  

States with the greatest increase in premiums were Utah (59%), Illinois (50%), Arizona (48%), and Pennsylvania (44%). States with the greatest premium hikes in absolute dollars were Florida ($2,118 increase), Louisiana ($1,775), and Kentucky ($1,426). 

Such significant increases in property insurance premiums have ripple effects across the economy:  

• Because mortgage loans typically require borrowers to have home insurance, some homeowners may sell their homes or default on their mortgage. A premium increase of $500 is linked to 20% higher likelihood of mortgage delinquency. 

• Some homeowners settle for inadequate insurance with high deductibles, less coverage, and more exclusions.  

• Some homeowners “go bare” -- meaning they do not buy property insurance. As of 2021, 7.4% or 6.1 million homeowners were uninsured, leaving them one major disaster from losing everything. 

• Young people and first-time homebuyers are less able to buy homes, leaving them out of an important pathway to building financial stability. 

• Neighborhoods with many uninsured homes see more damaged and vacant properties, leading to a downward spiral of property values and tax base.  

Case study: California 

Although the property insurance crisis affects the entire country, one of its epicenters is California, where January's climate-fueled wildfires in Los Angeles are estimated to cost over $250 billion. The fallout is impacting both public and private property insurance.  

Everyone pays into the FAIR Plan 

California’s FAIR (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) Plan, the state’s public insurance plan of last resort, had already grown by 40% since 2023 with people abandoned by major insurance companies not renewing policies. At the time of the wildfires in January, the FAIR Plan had just $377 million to pay over 4,800 claims.  

Unlike private insurance, FAIR plans can raise money by charging private insurers when they are short on funds to pay claims. In February, California regulators allowed the FAIR plan to charge $1 billion from private insurance companies doing business in the state.  

However, recent concessions to the industry now allow these private insurance companies to pass on up to $500 million of this cost to all policyholders in the state – meaning everyone will pay, whether they were affected by the wildfires or not.  

State Farm seeks emergency rate hike 

In 2023 State Farm stopped accepting new applications for property insurance in California; then in 2024 it raised rates by 20%. State Farm is still California’s largest property insurance company, holding 3 million policies or about 20% of the market.  

After the Los Angeles wildfires, State Farm received provisional regulatory approval for an emergency rate hike of 17% for homeowners, 38% for landlord policies, and 15% for renters and condominiums. Insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara granted final approval on May 13.

The rate hike means average State Farm policyholder in California will pay $841 more for home insurance in 2025 than they did in 2023, according to a report by Center for Climate Integrity. About 30% of communities will pay $1000 or more, while 5,000 policyholders in six counties will pay over $3,000 more in premiums. In one zip code, 1,700 policyholders will see premiums increase by $7,553, or 72%.  

On April 17 the Eaton Fire Survivors Network called for an investigation of State Farm over widespread delays, denials, and unresolved claims, urging state leaders not to approve the rate increase request. “Most people assume that if you pay your premiums, your insurer will be there when disaster strikes,” group leader Joy Chen said. “But for many State Farm policyholders, the fire was just the start of their trauma. Each day since then, their financial and emotional devastation has grown because of State Farm's actions.” 

Meanwhile, State Farm is the nation’s second-largest insurance investor in the fossil fuel industry that is driving the climate crisis, with over $20 billion invested in 65 fossil fuel companies. These investments help shore up insurance company profits in years when they pay more in claims than they take in premiums, but they also multiply the problem.  

Policy solutions 

An issue as large as the climate-fueled property insurance crisis requires policy action. Reports by Consumer Federation of America, Center for American Progress, and Public Citizen make several overlapping policy recommendations, including: 

Public funding 

• Increase public funding for climate resilience on both the property and community levels.  

• Require insurers to consider home hardening expenses in setting prices.  

• Create national public reinsurance, or insurance for insurers, that lowers risk for comprehensive coverage of homeowners. 

Accountability 

• Prevent insurers from passing on costs to consumers while they insure and invest in fossil fuels. 

• Strengthen regulatory oversight of rates and underwriting, including non-renewals. 

• Require insurers to have adequate reserves. 

Data gathering 

• Create a national climate modeling tool and establish routine data reporting. 

• Model insurance data collection on the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), which requires public disclosure of data on the census tract level. 

• Ensure homebuyers and renters know their exposure to climate risks. 

Protecting yourself 

Unfortunately, an administration pushing disaster relief to the states just before hurricane season is unlikely to implement these policy solutions anytime soon.  

Here’s what you can do in the meantime: 

• Check out Green America’s Climate Smart Insurance Directory, which lists options in every state for insurance companies that do not insure fossil fuel projects and invest little to nothing in the fossil fuel industry. 

• Shop around. Call three independent insurance agents and ask them to quote costs and coverage at regional mutual insurance companies. Different agents work with different companies, so calling more than one will give you a fuller picture of what is available in your area. Regional insurance companies are no more risky than large insurers and could save you money for the same coverage.  

• Seek adequate coverage. The quotes you get should cover the cost of rebuilding your home and replacing personal property, as well as temporary living expenses, medical payments, and liability claims. Keep in mind the cost of building materials, furniture, clothing, and electronics is rising.  

• Don’t go without. Property insurance protects your investments, not just from natural disasters but also someone else’s negligence. You can cut costs by bundling home and auto insurance, paying in monthly installments, and asking for any discounts such as through AAA or AARP.  

• If your policy is canceled, ask for an extension so you have time to shop for new insurance. Ask for a written explanation including any photos or videos. File an appeal if the evidence provided is not accurate. Make any repairs your insurance company asks for, but start shopping right away in case you need to switch. 

In the heart of Bloomington, where liberal ideals often clash with systemic realities of poverty and injustice, People’s Cooperative Market (“People’s Market”) has been cultivating more than just crops – it’s been nurturing a vision of food sovereignty that challenges deeply ingrained economic and racial structures.

As part of a long legacy of Black food sovereignty projects, the People’s Market has positioned itself as an agent of change. Its work goes far beyond simply distributing food; it's a radical act of reimagining economic systems and community support. The co-op operates under democratic principles building toward consensus, equity, cooperative economics, and collective values. In practice, this might look like voting on vendors; or receiving input from producers, vendors, organizational partners, and buyers.   Most recently, to decide how to use grant funds, the co-op members incorporated input from families that receive free Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, when they voted on which producers to purchase from. 

The market operates using a sliding scale, supplying some Bloomington families with weekly CSAs at no cost. One can be a CSA member, ordering week to week (versus the traditional model of paying up-front at the beginning of each season), or folks can drop by the market and purchase locally-produced fruits and veggies, eggs, meat, bread, and more separately.  A suggested sliding scale is on display for purchasers to choose what they pay based on their circumstances.  When one enters the market, they will notice that all of the produce is displayed on one table, unlike the traditional farmers’ market model where each farmer sets up their own table.  In this way, farmers, many of whom drive two hours to reach Bloomington, simply have to drop off their produce instead of selling for hours as well.  There are also vendors with prepared foods, including baked goods, and artisans. There’s Colombian empanadas, coconut rolls, cakes, meat and vegan hand-pies—all delicious.  There are also one-off special events like a clothing exchange or used book sale.  Each vendor and event is chosen by keeping in mind the needs of the community.    

"People often don't understand why we give food away for free," Lauren McCalister, the co-op’s incorporator, explains. "There's a misconception that free food undermines the economy. But that's wildly untrue."  Her work is driven by a deeper understanding of economic resilience – one that recognizes how spaces of redistribution, from co-ops to consignment stores, actually increase the quality of life in communities. Low-cost to free food has a positive impact on the economy by increasing purchasing power for low-income individuals, stimulating local businesses through increased food spending, and improving workforce productivity by reducing hunger-related health issues, ultimately leading to a more stable economy, especially during economic downturns.  In short: If an individual or family doesn’t have to worry about getting enough food and nutrition, they can focus on taking care of their lives in other ways and can allocate more of their spending to things beyond food.

An important aspect of its mission is a commitment to regenerative agricultural practices that heal both land and community. In its own greenhouse, the co-op uses—and encourages its partnering farmers to use—minimal tillage, crop rotation, and cover crops that restore soil health, rebuilding the ecosystem with each season. They prioritize chemical-free growing methods, recognizing that soil health is intrinsically linked to community health.  Many of the farmers use organic, regenerative practices—or, “farming!” as McCalister would say—though they may not have gone through the expensive certification process. McCalister has personally visited the farms to learn more about their operations and to create real relationships with the farmers. 

Last year at the RAFI (Rural Advancement Foundation International) conference, McCalister discovered a striking data point. A map showing food security between 2010 and 2020 revealed a stark truth: areas with Walmarts experienced less food security. Inspired, she challenged the researchers to create the inverse map – demonstrating how co-ops might be a solution (research in-progress).

The work is not without its challenges. In Bloomington, a town that prides itself on liberal values, McCalister has experienced firsthand the resistance to confronting systemic racism. "We've been positioned as the antagonists," she notes, reflecting on how the People’s Market’s very existence is often seen as a threat to the established order. The more traditional farmers’ market vendors claim that using a sliding scale (including $0) undermines their own business.  However, the Bloomington Farmers Market is thriving, attracting thousands each Saturday morning.  Those who benefit from a sliding scale and those who believe in a different model from the traditional capitalist one, find their way to the People’s Co-op.  Community members are also welcome to visit and support both markets, as each has different vendors and meets different needs.

The co-op’s approach goes beyond individual interactions, recognizing the broader systemic conditions that shape food access and community health. "You can't just use food without acknowledging its political, social, and racial implications," McCalister asserts. Each low-cost or free assortment of produce, eggs, and bread—each cooperative interaction becomes an act of resistance and reimagining. 

The People's Co-op represents more than a food distribution system. It's a model of community resilience, a challenge to economic assumptions, and a testament to the power of mutual aid and collective action. In a landscape where food can be a weapon of economic control, People’s Market is turning it into a tool of liberation.

As Bloomington – and the nation – continue to wrestle with questions of equity and food access, People’s Market stands as a beacon of hope, proving that another way of organizing our food systems is not just possible—it’s essential.

Learn more about the People's Co-Op Market here.

In the town of Ellettsville in southern Indiana, where suburbia fades into farmland, Lauren McCalister's farm stands as a testament to resilience and community. The black-owned farm, situated at a unique crossroads of American life – nestled in a right-leaning intersection between a McMansion, a 300-acre Land Trust of corn and soybeans, and a trailer park– tells a story of transformation and purpose.

"I got into farming because of poverty," Lauren shares candidly. But what began as a means of survival has blossomed into a family operation. The farm operates primarily as a family affair, with Lauren, her husband, and their children working the land together. Occasionally, they welcome eager learners who want to experience farm life firsthand.

The property's history runs as deep as its limestone foundation. The original farmhouse, thoughtfully positioned with its front door facing due north, was built by a cattle farmer who quarried the limestone himself. This attention to detail and connection to the land didn't go unnoticed when McCalister sought to purchase the property. The previous owner, daughter of the original farmer, had declined numerous offers over two years, paying taxes on an empty house while waiting for the right buyers. When she learned the McCalisters planned to continue farming the 40 acres, she finally agreed to sell.

"She drives by sometimes," Lauren says with a smile. "When we see her, she tells us how happy it makes her to see the sheep there and someone farming."

The farm began with just three sheep—a wedding present from a friend looking to “call [Lauren’s] bluff” on wanting to husband sheep; hence the name “Three Flock Farm”.  Today, the name is still apt as they have three flocks of sheep, goats, and chickens, totaling about 100 animals. Through trial and error, Lauren learned what grows best on the farm; namely:  blueberries, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms. 

The farm's impact extends beyond its fences. They sell their meat to Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard (a food pantry and community hub for access to healthy foods) and the People's Cooperative Market, ensuring that quality, locally-raised meat and eggs remain accessible to those who might otherwise go without. But perhaps their most beloved community contribution is their annual tradition of bringing lambs to the public library for children to hold.

"There are very few things in my life that I'm like... adorable," Lauren admits, "but watching kids meet the lambs is one of them." The visits have become so popular that they now require breathing exercises before introducing the lambs, as children literally shake with excitement at the prospect of holding them. "There's always at least one kid that, after holding the lamb, declares 'I want to be a sheep farmer!'" Lauren recounts with pride.

The farm operates with minimal outside help and follows what would be considered as “regenerative organic practices”.  Lauren explains that they knew they didn’t want to spray any synthetic chemicals.  She then observed that the sheep happily ate and trampled down her fields of cover-crops, in which she then directly planted her crops, later learning that this technique is considered “crimping”.  Lauren pointed out that what she does is farming.  It’s what others are doing that is the issue (destroying the land and lessening the nutritious quality of our food), such as using harmful pesticides, mono-cropping, or rototilling.  

The McCalister farm represents more than just a business or a means of survival. In a time where the distance between farm and table grows ever wider, their story reminds us of the power of personal connection to the land and the community it feeds.

Washington, DC – The American Sustainable Business Network and Green America applaud the reintroduction of the Clean Energy Victory Bond Act, H.R. 2946, in the House of Representatives by Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Doris Matsui (CA-07) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR). This legislation represents an opportunity to showcase our nation’s commitment to fostering clean energy innovation by leveraging investments that support clean energy technologies and job creation. 

The Clean Energy Victory Bonds bill aims to empower everyday Americans to invest in the future of our planet and communities nationwide by purchasing bonds that directly fund renewable energy projects. This innovative approach supports the transition to a sustainable energy economy and offers a secure investment opportunity for individuals who are passionate about combating climate change.

“We are thrilled to see the reintroduction of this vital legislation,” said Michael Green, Senior Advisor on Climate and Energy, American Sustainable Business Network. “Clean Energy Victory Bonds offer a unique opportunity for individuals to contribute to the growth of clean energy infrastructure, driving economic growth and environmental stewardship.”

“Millions of Americans are excited about clean energy technologies and want to see more solar and wind power installed across the country that will lower climate emissions, create cleaner air, and grow local economies,” said Todd Larsen, Executive Co-Director, Green America. “Clean Energy Victory Bonds would allow any American to safely invest in the clean energy future we need.”

ASBN champions collaborations between the public and private sectors in achieving climate goals. The Clean Energy Victory Bonds bill exemplifies how innovative financial instruments can mobilize capital for sustainable development, creating jobs and fostering a resilient economy.

We urge Congress to support this bill and encourage all stakeholders to join us in advocating for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Together, we can harness the power of clean energy to build a healthier planet for generations to come.

For more information, please contact Anayana White, Head of Communications, at anayana@asbnetwork.org

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American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) amplifies the collective voice of sustainable business to lead the way to a regenerative economy that is stakeholder-driven, just, and prosperous. As a multi-issue, membership organization advocating on behalf of every business sector, size, and geography, ASBN works to advance its mission to inform, connect, and mobilize sustainable business leaders, transforming the public and private sectors toward a just and regenerative economy. 

Green America is the nation’s leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today’s social and environmental problems.

Building the green economy is about more than being informed about corporations—it’s about actually supporting businesses that have adopted green practices, are growing the local economies, and pay suppliers fairly. Where you shop and what you buy when you do sends a direct message. So vote with your dollar!

Child labor in slaughterhouses is shocking, and it’s something we have the power to stop. Join us in demanding JBS, Perdue, Cargill, and Tyson Foods stop child labor.

The Trump Administration’s tariffs are causing market gyrations.  They could increase inflation and cause a recession.  Tariffs also harm people with lower incomes in the US the most and people in poorer countries as well – the same people who are also being harmed by the Administration’s cuts to the federal government and overseas aid. 

Even with the recent rollback of many tariffs for 90 days, there is an overall tariff in place of 10 percent on all countries, high tariffs on several imported materials and products, and a 145 percent tariff on many products from China, our third-largest trading partner.  No one can predict what’s next: each day, the Administration’s tariffs change.

You may be understandably worried about rising prices and falling 401Ks.

Here’s 6 steps you can take as a consumer to go green and save green ($): 

1. Start a garden 
   Tariffs will result in rising prices for many goods.  Some of them, like the Nintendo Switch, we can live without, or put off purchasing, but we can’t go without food.  One great way to cut down on food costs is to grow your own; you can save hundreds of dollars per year growing your own food, and it will be more nutritious. Green America’s Climate Victory Garden campaign will show you how to grow organic foods that also fight climate change.  Or, work with your neighbors to start a Climate Victory Community Garden.  If you grow more food than you need, you can donate it to a local food bank or share with your neighbors. 

2. Support a CSA or farmer markets 
    A great way to support the local economy while eating healthy is to sign up for community supported agriculture (CSA), where you will receive fresh produce every week directly from a local farm.  Or, visit a local farmers market to choose between several farms.  Either way, you’ll save money and get fresher produce. 

3. Buy used clothes or do a clothing swap 
    Thrifting and swapping clothes is a fun way to get a new look while saving money. When you purchase used clothing, you extend the life of that shirt, blouse, or suit, and prevent it from going to landfill or getting dumped overseas. Many used clothing and goods stores support charities, so you are also doing good in the community.  Or, you can set up or take part in a clothing swap, where you can meet people while trading clothes out of your closets.  

4. Take part in or start a lending library for tools, household goods, toys 
    When you need a shovel, band saw, carpet cleaner or other tools or goods occasionally, why buy them?  Instead see if you can set up a lending library with your neighbors.  On a list serve or social media page, people can post what they need and borrow it.  Some local libraries have set up lending libraries for many items other than books – you can borrow a tool or a game and pick up a book to read as well!  

5. Buy a used car or go car-less 
    Tariffs on imported cars will likely drive up prices for many new cars, so it makes sense to buy used cars, where even late-model cars are much cheaper than new.  Or, you can take this time to see if you can go car-less. The ready availability of electric bikes (some which can carry significant loads), car-sharing apps and services, and public transportation might meet all your transportation needs while eliminating a major source of climate emissions.  

6. Repair instead of replace 
    A great way to reduce your purchases is to make current stuff last. When appliances break, see if you can repair them instead of replacing – sometimes the repairs are cheaper than you think.  You can mend clothing, or have someone repair it.  Well-made furniture is always worth repairing.  Keep your car in good repair with regular maintenance. 

You can find more ideas from our Green American magazine issue "Going Green on a Budget". 

And, don’t forget to support businesses that integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into their operations, and steer your money away from companies like Walmart, Amazon, and Target that walked back their commitments to DEI.  Instead, make sure to support the greenest businesses across the country for the products you need to purchase new! 

These steps are just a handful of the ways you can go green and save money.  As you work to save money and save the planet, you’ll create new skills and forge relationships with people in your community.  We can all learn from each other how to be more resilient and create mutual support during these hard times. 

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 10, 2025 – Green America and the Child Labor Coalition launched a new campaign aimed at eradicating child labor and labor violations in the food production industry, with a focus on the four top U.S. meat processing companies. The campaign will focus on child labor and labor violations at Perdue Farms, JBS, Tyson and Cargill, including launching a consumer petition and engaging a network of allied grassroots groups on the ground across the country. 

Once thought a relic of the past, child labor is on the rise in the United States. Major U.S. corporations are putting children as young as 13 to work in dangerous jobs they are too young to perform and that are hazardous to their health. An estimated 300,000 to 500,000 children are working in the agriculture industry alone.  

In January, Perdue Farms and JBS, two of the country’s largest meat-packers, were fined a combined $8 million for relying on children to work in their slaughterhouses. Children also have been reportedly working in dangerous conditions at Tyson and Cargill facilities. To make matters worse, 31 states have worked to loosen child labor and safety laws since 2021. 

Charlotte Tate, Labor Justice Campaigns Director at Green America, said: “In the United States today, illegal child labor is resurgent because of the irresponsible business practices of corporations, including some of the top meat-packing companies. It’s appalling that multi-billion-dollar meat producers are profiting from children carrying out dangerous work cleaning in their facilities. Cargill hit record profits of up to $6 billion in recent years. JBS is even bigger, with a reported $20 billion profit last year alone. While companies are taking steps in response to federal investigations, more needs to be done to protect children from child labor and unsafe working conditions throughout their entire supply chains.” 

Reid Maki, Child Labor Advocacy Director for the Child Labor Coalition and National Consumers League, said: “Children’s lives are on the line and there is no time to waste. In just the last two years, the U.S. has experienced fatalities and permanent, traumatic injuries involving children working at dangerous and exploitative jobs in meat-processing facilities. Companies have a legal and moral obligation to eliminate child labor in the food production industry.” 

Todd Larsen, Executive Co-Director at Green America said: “Sadly, there have been several reports of minors who suffered injuries that included mangled arms and chemical burns in food processing facilities cleaned by contractors hired by meatpacking companies. These children are working long hours, often late in the night, to do work that should only be performed by adults.”  

JBS – JBS is the world’s largest meat processor. The Department of Labor recently uncovered serious child labor violations at multiple JBS facilities, revealing minors as young as 13 years old working in hazardous working conditions. These violations were found in locations in Grand Island, Nebraska; Greeley, Colorado; Worthington, Minnesota; and Marshall, Minnesota. The Department of Labor report states that these minors were exposed to and cleaned hazardous machinery during overnight shifts. JBS paid $4 million in fines in January 2025 for child labor violations in several states. 

Tyson – Tyson is the second-largest meat processor after JBS. The Department of Labor recently found minors as young as 13 working in hazardous conditions at Tyson Foods facilities in Green Forest, Arkansas and Goodlettsville, Tennessee. The Department of Labor also began investigating Tyson for child labor violations at two poultry processing plants in Arkansas. 

Perdue – The Department of Labor recently found children as young as 13 working in hazardous conditions in a Perdue Facility in Virginia. Tragically, while sanitizing power-driven meat-processing equipment, a child working an overnight shift was traumatically injured when his arm was caught in a machine that he was cleaning and cut to the bone in February 2022. Perdue recently agreed to pay $4 million in fines based on investigations of child labor in Virginia. 

Cargill – Cargill is the world’s largest ground beef producer. The Department of Labor recently uncovered child labor violations at Cargill facilities in Dodge City, Kansas and Fiona, Texas. The investigation of Packer Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI), which was contracted by Cargill and other meatpackers, found children working with hazardous chemicals and cleaning equipment such as brisket saws and “head splitters,” often on overnight shifts.  

Green America is a non-profit organization representing over 250,000 individual members and 2,000 small businesses. Our mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. 

The Child Labor Coalition (CLC) represents millions of Americans through 37 organizations that fight to protect worker rights, human rights, and child rights. CLC members include the nation’s largest union, the National Education Association, the National Consumers League, Human Rights Watch, and the Fair Labor Association, as well as numerous groups that are also concerned about the welfare of vulnerable children at risk of child labor exploitation. 

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MEDIA CONTACT: Parke Qua for Green America, (216) 276-2476 or pqua@hastingsgroupmedia.com. 

ABOUT  

Green America is the nation’s leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today’s social and environmental problems. http://www.GreenAmerica.org