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Kroger’s New Move to Climate-Friendly Refrigeration is an Important First Step for the Supermarket Sector and the Brand |
Originally published in Cincinnati Enquirer on July 31, 2024
You won’t notice it the next time you go grocery shopping, but changes are happening in refrigerated aisles nationwide. Several major American supermarket chains are starting to do away with old, inefficient refrigeration systems and modernizing their stores to take advantage of cost-cutting new technologies, which also reduce emissions that contribute to climate change.
A handful of Kroger’s over 2700 stores are using natural refrigerants that are much less harmful to the environment. As the largest supermarket operator in the country, a move to natural refrigerants would represent an important shift for the industry and evidence that company leadership has been listening to consumer demand for the phase-out of older hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigeration. HFCs are a “super pollutant” and potent greenhouse gas used in older systems, with up to 4000 times more global warming impact than carbon emissions when they leak. On average, leak rates in the sector are about 25%.
Given the forthcoming implementation of the EPA’s Technology Transitions Program, consumer sentiment and the increasing cost of HFCs, the move will benefit the environment, Kroger’s brand and the company’s bottom line. Starting next year, the Technology Transition rule under the AIM Act will go into effect, setting limits on the use of HFC refrigerants by sector, including equipment used in Kroger stores. To seize greater emissions reductions for the climate and to avoid higher refrigerant costs for systems at a time of decreasing HFC supply, it’s a wise business decision for Kroger to start its transition. Now Kroger should continue the transition by rolling it out to its over 2700 existing stores nationwide.
Kroger can follow the lead of competitors, including Aldi, Whole Foods, and Target, that are leading the industry on upgrading to natural refrigerants like ammonia, propane and CO2, which have zero or near-zero climate impact.
As the nation’s leading green economy organization, Green America has urged Kroger to publicly commit to adopting natural refrigerants in all new and existing stores and to develop a plan to phase out use of HFCs by 2035, with an interim target to heavily reduce HFC emissions by 2030. Changing a few stores to natural refrigerants is good but Kroger must go much further. We urge the company to make to eliminate HFCs from all new and existing stores on an accelerated timeline.
With the possible pending Albertson’s merger, Kroger could find itself with an even larger HFC burden to reduce due to regulatory and economic forces. Albertson’s is the second-largest U.S. supermarket chain after Kroger, using ultra-low GWP refrigerants in fewer than 1% of its stores and 50% of distribution centers. Although early-adopter companies are leading the way, most major supermarket chains are failing to act. Because of poor technology adoption, refrigerant management, policies and commitments, companies like Walmart, Costco, Publix, Giant Eagle, H-E-B, Wegmans, Wakefern, SEG and Trader Joe’s each performed poorly on the Environmental Investigation Agency’s 2024 edition of the Climate-Friendly Supermarkets Scorecard.
There’s an old saying that goes: the best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago, and the second-best time to plant a tree is now. The same is true for supermarket companies considering whether to invest in more efficient refrigeration technology. There is no time to waste. Protecting the communities the company serves can’t wait. And while Kroger has taken some initial steps on refrigerants, the company has much more work to do. The best time to eliminate HFCs might have been years ago, but the second-best time is now.
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Inside ‘Teflon Joe’s’: Why your favorite grocery store is not what you think |
How Trader Joe’s remains a beloved brand despite record product recalls, safety violations, worker misconduct complaints, and an environmental record that belies its reputation.
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Specialized says it donated $44,000 to unpaid factory workers. Did it? |
After months of fruitless negotiations, workers at a Salvadoran garment factory that closed without paying them thought they'd finally secured a win, but can't find any record of the bike brand's claimed contribution.
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Green America: Kroger’s New 2024 ESG Report Shows Small Steps Forward on Climate-Warming Refrigerant |
Largest US Grocery Operator Commits to CO2 Refrigerants in New Stores and Propane for All Stand-Alone Refrigerator Cases.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 18, 2024 – Following the release of Kroger’s 2024 ESG report, the nonprofit Green America welcomed small steps forward and called on the company to take more serious action to address hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions from its stores’ refrigeration systems. HFCs are an extremely potent greenhouse gas, with thousands of times more global warming impact than carbon emissions.
In the new report, the company’s stated climate impact goals remain a 30% reduction from the company’s 2018 baseline. However, Kroger’s market-based scope 1 and 2 emissions actually rose 3.8% year over year from 2022 to 2023. Regarding refrigerants, which remain Kroger’s largest source of direct emissions, the company is committing to move to CO2 refrigerants at new stores, but states it is only converting existing stores to lower global warming potential (GWP) systems that can still have many times the climate impacts of natural refrigerants. Kroger is transitioning stand-alone refrigerators to ultra-low GWP propane refrigerants, with more than 15,000 free-standing units using propane. The company’s rollout of infrared leak detectors to all stores is increasing, but the company’s 100% rollout target is delayed from 2024 to 2026. Overall, Kroger continues to trail ALDI, Whole Foods, and Target in its commitments to phasing out HFC refrigerants.
Dan Howells, climate campaigns director at Green America, said: “Kroger, a leading grocery chain in the US, is taking minor steps forward on refrigerants. But its latest partial response to protecting the communities it serves from climate change will only continue to endanger the company’s reputation, bottom line, and customers. Kroger must show the company is taking serious actions on phasing out HFCs from all its stores.”
Following consumer pressure, Kroger recently announced that starting in 2025, new stores will adopt a natural CO2 refrigerant with low GWP. However, the company must do more to eliminate HFCs from existing stores. The company has stated that transitioning to ultra-low GWP refrigerant has the potential to reduce per-store emissions by more than 200 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) annually. This would translate to 550,000 MTCO2e if all of its 2750 stores moved to ultra-low GWP systems, which is approximately 40% of the company’s current total emissions from refrigerants.
Green America and its members are urging Kroger to adopt ultra-low GWP refrigeration in all of its nearly 2,800 stores by 2035 with interim targets to cut out HFCs and acknowledge that this requires transitioning to refrigerants with a GWP less than 150, not the 1,400 GWP standard the company has put forward. In the meantime, Kroger must adopt robust goals to further reduce leaks from existing HFC equipment.
ABOUT GREEN AMERICA
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, investors, and consumers to solve today’s social and environmental problems. http://www.GreenAmerica.org
MEDIA CONTACT: Max Karlin for Green America, (703) 276-3255 or mkarlin@hastingsgroupmedia.com.
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Economic Action: Our Proven Path Forward |
When political channels narrow, Green America’s economic strategies become even more crucial. For over 40 years, we’ve demonstrated that in our economic roles as responsible consumers, strategic investors, and innovative businesses, we can create profound change for people and the planet—regardless of who holds political power.
Our organization was born from that idea. In 1982, we launched as Co-op America to advance climate, environmental and social justice solutions through economic activism when the Reagan administration shut down progress through government action. That moment proved what remains true today: when political avenues darken, economic strategies light the way forward.
Over the decades, our economic strategies have been game-changers for justice and the environment. In the 1980s, we helped to birth the socially responsible investment movement and lead the fight against apartheid in South Africa. When Nelson Mandela was elected, his economic ambassador came to thank Green America and our social investor allies, telling us that the divestment movement was one of the top three reasons they succeeded in eliminating apartheid’s worst injustices.
Through the Bush presidencies, we transformed corporate supply chains to protect workers here and around the world when the government did not. When we challenged major athletic footwear companies about sweatshop labor, many didn’t even know their own supply chains. Today, they credit our campaigns for forcing them to identify and clean up labor abuses throughout their operations.
We helped establish and lead the Green Business and Fair Trade movements, creating innovative market-based solutions that larger companies began to emulate. As a result, scaled environmental and social solutions have evolved far beyond what government action alone could achieve.
And when it comes to workplace innovation, Green America practiced what we preached—adopting the four-day work week and remote work options back in 2001.
These decades of collaboration with you, our members, along with families, business owners, investors and allies from every corner of society, have created powerful networks and proven strategies capable of withstanding political storms to advance environmental and justice solutions through economic activism. As we face a new hostile administration in Washington, D.C., Green America’s promise to you is that together, we will accelerate our work to create a green economy that works for all.
We know that progress only comes when we work together to achieve it. Progress demands action. With you by our side, we’ll scale our proven economic strategies into even bolder solutions for the climate, environmental health, safe and just labor conditions, equitable access to basic human needs, and the right of people to live fully as their authentic selves. We’ll continue to provide the tools and resources you need to green your life, strengthen your communities and take action for a better future.
Together, we are powerful.
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Green Giving Is the New Way of Generosity |
Community is critical for humanity to thrive. In times of uncertainty, having people to catch and provide for you is how we face the future with strength and empathy. Now, at the dawning of a new year, Green America encourages you to rethink generosity and how we can give more holistically to our communities and those in need.
Try Gifting to Strangers
Everyone deserves gifts, the joy of opening something specifically for you from someone who loves you. But love is limitless and can extend beyond your circle. If gift giving is your love language, consider participating in a gifting program.
Transanta is a mutual aid project founded in 2020 that “connects anonymous gift-givers with trans youth who are unhoused, in foster care, or otherwise without crucial support they need to thrive.”
Kyle Lasky, a co-founder of Transanta, explains they developed this project with Indya Moore and Chase Strangio “to make a big impact on young lives by tapping into the immense power of mutual aid and direct one-to-one giving.”
“I think our program is so successful in part because of the empowerment and joy that people feel when they know they are directly responding to an individual’s request for help,” Lasky continues. “There is so much power in understanding you CAN make a difference.”
Gifts and drives don’t have to be limited to the holidays. Organizations like Transanta need support year-round to continue operating, and other groups host drives throughout the year.
The Family Giving Tree hosts a back-to-school drive and offers help and support for you to run your own drive. At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, they accept toys no matter the time of year. After all, it’s never a wrong time to play with Barbie or cuddle a teddy.
CityTeam is a Pacific Northwest-based nonprofit that offers a variety of programs to get involved with, from mobile pantries and pop-up closets, vocational training and mentoring, and case management. Across the country in Boston, The Home for Little Wanderers, the oldest child welfare agency in America, is an intensive foster and adoption organization. But that’s not all—they also organize drives of all sorts: clothing (coat and jacket specific drives in winter), hygiene kits, gift cards, sporting goods, and more. They also offer support for people to organize their own drives.
You Don’t Need Money to Give
Though volunteerism peaks at the end of each year, Americans are giving their time back to their communities less than ever, according to AmeriCorps. Looking ahead to a more empathetic and generous future, maybe it’s time to address that.
Fortunately, there is volunteer work for every interest and skill set across the board, from soup kitchens and elder companionship to nature conservancy and administrative work. Talk to your friends and community leaders, search your city + volunteers online, and you will find an abundance of ways to give back.
Donating pre-owned items like clothing, books, games, and beyond is another green way to show generosity. Women’s shelters, children’s hospitals, mutual aid groups, and migrant shelters are often in need of supplies—just be sure to check organizations’ websites to see if they have guidance on what they do or do not need. Additionally, many teachers post annual calls for supplies needed to help stock their classrooms.
But that’s not all—you can also consider donating gifts to do a green gift exchange with friends. Don’t forget that gifts don’t have to be brand new to have meaning. Does your friend always borrow that sweater you never wear anymore? Get it dry cleaned and package it up like new for their birthday! Any gift exchange can be donation-based, taking pressure off money spent or shopping around for the perfect gift.
Go Beyond Giving Season
Though this time of year boasts the highest levels of generosity, it’s imperative to take it beyond December and into every new year ahead. Most organizations depend on support year-round to continue operating, and there’s never a wrong- time to give back in any way. With the rise in frequency of natural disasters, inflation, and global conflict, generosity is needed more than ever, especially for vulnerable populations. “It takes a village” applies to all of us, strengthening the very fabric of our communities and providing refuge in the face of an uncertain world.
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History And The Stars |
History gives me comfort even in the most troubling of times. When this current moment seems overwhelming, I remind myself how our ancestors fought for a better world—often against greater odds. Their stories inspire me, and history tells me that the hard path to a better world has been worn deeply from centuries of effort. History lets me know that regardless of where I am in the cycle of success and failure, I need to get up and walk down that road to do what I can, while I can.
In his final speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. discussed history. He was in Memphis, Tennessee to support a sanitation worker’s strike. The end of his speech is well known, but the opening has helped me process this moment of grief, fear, concern, and challenge.
Dr. King began with a discussion about what he would do if the Almighty offered to let him live in any moment of history. After considering so many pivotal moments of history, from ancient Egypt to the events that led him to be in Memphis, Dr. King said:
I would turn to the Almighty, and say, “If you allow me to live just a few years in the second half of the 20th century, I will be happy.” Now that's a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land; confusion all around. That's a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.
The stars that Dr. King saw that night were the movement—the people fighting for change—before his time, in his Memphis audience, and now.
Dr. King’s target time zone has been within my lifetime. I was born in 1956. The list of real victories for people and planet since then is impressive, especially when compared with the thousands of years of recorded history before my birth. And I have seen, over and over again, how significant victories are often followed by moments of pushback motivated by profit, fear, hate, and abuse of power.
In 1980, we were at a similar moment to the one we are in now. After an election fraught with dirty tricks and a questionable process, Ronald Reagan became President. He came to Washington, D.C., committed to overturning decades of gains made in Civil Rights, in labor justice, protecting the planet, promoting peace, and a more just world. The federal government was not going to be a partner on the path to a better world, it was going to be an adversary to those fighting for equity, justice, and social safety networks. A new way to create change was needed, one that provided ways for us to mobilize the economic powers we have as consumers, investors, workers, business owners, and community members to collectively push the world to a better place. It is in that space of hope—even before Reagan took office—that the mission of Green America (then called Co-op America) was created. Since then, working with coalition partners, green businesses, and—especially—with our members, we have made a difference.
The last forty plus years has not been free of trying times and through it all, Green America has paved the way towards a better world through inspiration, resources, education, campaigns, and hope. Since 1998, I have been part of this dedicated team, and sometimes I marvel at what we have accomplished. It is why, even in this disturbing moment of time, I have hope.
In the words of Dr. King, it feels like “that’s a strange statement” for me to make. Right now, the idea of “hope” seems strange and distant. And yet, I have hope. Why? Because of history. Because we stand on the shoulders of giants. Because we walk this path to a better world together.
Like Dr. King, if given the opportunity to be anywhere in time, I would also choose the moment that I am in—this moment in the 21st century. This moment when we get to walk the path together to make the world a better place.
It is dark now, but as Dr. King said, “…only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” Stars are light traveling across time. They are the light of our ancestors guiding us on the path towards justice, shining in the sky to let us know that our time is now.
We are the stars we have been waiting for. And it is an honor to fight for change with each of you.
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The Winds of Change |
The mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, were my first love. Rushing rivers and the whisper of the wind through the trees taught me from an early age that my peace and clarity are found in the quiet corners of the Earth. In a world consumed by noise, screens, and schedules, the outdoors is my escape—an antidote to the frantic pace of modern life.
I’ve always been conscious of my impact on the world around me. Supporting sustainability is as natural to me as breathing. But since Hurricane Helene devastated my hometown and my country elected a president who opposes climate action, it feels like the air is being squeezed from my lungs. Our political landscape has torn up my roots, violent and unforgiving, ripping away the comfort Appalachia has given me so freely. Our Earth is suffering, and we can no longer ignore the way nature, the way so many of us, are being pushed to the brink.
Just as the land has been bled dry by the demands of progress, so too have women been expected to bend, to give, to carry the weight of a system that takes and takes without regard for what it costs. My existence as a woman is tinged with grief, knowing that we, like the Earth, are too often ignored until we are broken. To me, advocacy is not just about fighting for a cleaner planet or a more equal society; it is about reimagining what it means to care for both people and nature.
Hurricane Helene battered Western North Carolina and surrounding areas in the southeastern U.S., and marginalized communities of immigrants, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ folks, and disabled people have long been battered by systems built to silence them for the comfort and profit of the privileged. Just as hurricane victims should not be left to rebuild their communities alone, marginalized groups should not solely bear the responsibility for dismantling oppressive systems. True justice is achieved when we use the power and privilege we have for the collective good. If western North Carolina can come together to repair roads and roofs, we can come together to create lasting change. If we are to protect the Earth, we must protect each other. We must recognize that our fates are intertwined, that when one of us falls, we all feel it. Our collective strength is what will carry us forward—whether we are fighting to preserve the land we love or to ensure that silenced voices are finally heard. Mother Nature is strong, resilient, and empathetic. She cannot be used and discarded; and neither can we.
The winds of change are not so different from the winds of a storm. They are powerful, relentless, and they shape everything they touch. But if we can listen closely enough, perhaps we can learn to move with them, not against them, and find a way for the Earth, for all of us, to rise, unbroken and free—together.
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Anger Asks Us To Act |
My advocacy comes from a place of anger.
When it comes to advocating for a better world, the message is usually towards a joyous future of community and love. And while joy is part of my advocacy, too, it’s not the lens in which I view the world, politics, or society.
I am a woman. I have an immigrant Filipina mother and a blue-collar white father. Conversations around class discrepancy, bodily autonomy, human rights, and history were frequent at our dinner table and PBS documentaries were a staple on the television. I inherited my passion for justice—and my anger at injustice—from my family.
For a long time, I didn’t know where to put that anger. I tried to sate it with hope for the future and the belief that someone, somewhere, would do something to end cycles of harm and injustice. Coming of age under the Obama administration also gave me hope that America could improve on its racist past. But when Trump was elected in 2016—the first Presidential election where I could vote—the shock that Americans would vote in an unapologetic bigot and misogynist left me hopeless for the first time.
But hope is a fickle thing. It doesn’t truly give up.
In 2019, I joined Sunrise Movement, started organizing, and found community in political activism for the first time. I felt fired up, engaged, and ready to channel my righteous anger into something politically and socially productive, like the Green New Deal. It was therapeutic to learn that I didn’t need to wait on someone, somewhere, to end cycles of harm and injustice—I could do it myself, with others that cared.
And then the COIVD-19 pandemic hit. I read breaking news stories of Asian women and elders getting attacked, beaten, and killed because of xenophobic rhetoric. I worried for my mom and my sister, living hundreds of miles away. I worried for myself, living in a neighborhood of vocal Trump supporters who did not wear masks because the virus was a “hoax.” I worried about my partner, who is considered high-risk, around people coughing open mouth in public.
That first year of the pandemic taught me that people often value what is most convenient for them over the good of the collective. I had read this in history books, but seeing it play out in-person broke my faith in humanity. It took years to surface from that dark place of apathy; truthfully, it’s a hole that I sometimes fall back into.
Today, my apathy and anger are a balancing act. Getting wrapped up in rage is overwhelming, even though it is great fuel for an activist’s fire. But without a proper outlet, that flame burns out. When we experience burnout, we grow numb. And if we become numb—if we stop pushing back—we lose.
Anger is useful. Like all emotions, it’s a mind and body response to external influence. As a woman, society taught me that my anger was improper, unladylike, and undesirable—something to be suppressed for a more polite emotion. But I’ve learned that it’s healthier to express these emotions rather than bottle them up. I choose to express my anger through productive means like advocacy for a world where people and the planet are heard, cared for, and respected.
Temperature checks in community spaces, among friends and family, and online forums show that anger is a shared feeling in the wake of shock and tragedy. And that shared feeling of disappointment, of injustice, of fury, is a powerful wellspring of momentum.
Anger asks us to yell, to fight back, to push harder still. Anger begets action. And action keeps apathy at bay. If anger is what it takes to act, then be angry. And make change.
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In My Blanket Fort of Solitude Until Further Notice |
I’m a millennial, and our generation has a saying: “I am so tired of living in unprecedented times, I would like to live in precedented times, please?”
There are many ways to interpret this but to me, in this moment, it speaks to a very long history where women like myself—Black, middle-aged, professional—have gone to bat for human rights time and time again. We have marched for countless just causes, whether they are directly related or adjacent to our communities, because we believe that no one is free until all of us are free.
We see ourselves in the struggles of others and we know the injustices visited upon our family members and ancestors. We’ve strived to undo generational curses by pushing for access to health, wealth, and education. As it stands, Black women are the most educated population in this country; we open more small businesses, and we achieve more business growth than our counterparts nationally. Yet our rise to the top is still hindered by inaccurate portrayals in the media to feature us as wild, aggressive, unprofessional, and angry. I’m quite tired of these tropes and how they’re used to deny us our humanity.
In this election, we finally saw a candidate who could intimately understand where we were coming from, had lived experience with the issues that meant something to our communities, and might finally prove that Black women and other women of color shouldn’t consistently be trapped on the bottom rungs of society.
The election results might feel mind-blowing to some, but for us, it fits an infuriatingly centuries old pattern that we’ve seen all too often. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Former First Lady Michelle Obama, and of course Madam Vice President Kamala Harris—all accomplished and educated Black women who, despite achieving historic levels of success, have been consistently portrayed in the most disparaging spotlights. Our collective experience as Black women is one where our humanity is never seen, and we can never be good enough.
Our exploitation and labor have nurtured this nation since its inception. We were forced to let go of our own children to care for those of plantation owners and overseers; we watched our families torn apart, our men beaten and emasculated. We were denied the right to vote even when our White counterparts could. We fought tooth and nail to be educated and for our children to have a safe and joyful future. We have been a support system for not only our communities, but to the humans we’ve encountered along the way. We have struggled not to be seen as loud, angry, or classless, despite having every right to our fury. Black women have answered the call for each and every social movement in the belief that this time, we could make a difference for others as well as ourselves. We have pushed for this country, for the world, to see us as worthy of the same compassion and care we’ve given others.
And though we are not monolithic, we are all tired.
Every time I open my mouth, I know that I will have to fight being seen as not enough, again. Someone is always waiting in the wings to explain to me what they think I can’t possibly understand on my own, or they urge me to just do it their way since they know better. It’s exhausting being subjected to this normalized condescension, especially when I have proved in many ways how I am more than enough. This is why Black women, Black people, are saying in a collective voice: not only are we enough, but we have had enough.
This is a basic truth the rest of this country needs to understand as we all find ways forward. The turn in this political landscape is less about the differences in policy and more about a vast divide in whose humanity matters and how to use power morally. We are looking for what we give and how to move away from individualism and towards an authentic and empathic society. We want others to not just bear witness to what’s happened, but to also actively take up the burden we have shouldered for far too long. The issues which brought us here are systemic and so the solution must be, too. It is non-negotiable.
Until this truly happens, we are resting. Our capes are blankets, our feet are up, our souls will be nurtured as we care for our vulnerability as much as our strength. We didn’t get here alone and cannot fix this alone. We will wait to see what our allies and society will do, because until you give what we have, you haven’t done enough.
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I Advocated for My Trans Body and Found the Strength to Fight for Others |
For nothing is fixed, forever, forever, forever, it is not fixed; the earth is always shifting, the light is always changing, the sea does not cease to grind down rock.
Being an activist is caring. It is disrupting and organizing. It is building and healing. Being an activist means understanding how deep bias and privilege are woven into our systems of government and culture. It requires our awareness of the impact we have on our neighbors, our planet, every living creature, regardless of our intentions. It is a weight on the mind, body, and spirit, and it is necessary.
One of the most defining moments of this year for me was the death of non-binary student Nex Benedict, caused directly by the war on transgender people’s bodies and wellbeing. It was a direct act of hatred toward the most vulnerable in my community. I felt lost, overwhelmed, and mournful. But there was more to do, there was always more to do for the innocent lives being regulated by archaic laws, blown apart by global conflict and genocide, gnawed at by hunger when forgotten.
It is fertile ground for burnout to take root.
Although the World Health Organization defines burnout as a “chronic workplace stress,” Emily and Amelia Nagosky, authors of “Burnout,” offer a simpler and more effective definition: “being overwhelmed and drained by everything you have to do and, yet, somehow still feeling worried you’re not doing enough.”
Advocacy burnout comes from a well-intentioned place, but the result is still the same: a mind and body dangerously depleted of the energy needed to care for others, not to mention oneself.
Fighting for my family—remarkable trans youth, powerful trans women and men, genderqueer and non-binary baddies, two-spirit forebears—is the matter closest to me. I wanted to refocus where my energy is best spent, accept my own limits, and trust in my comrades.
In 2024, I became a mentor with the Trans Mentor Project by the Sam & Devorah Foundation for Trans Youth. Through this program, trans adults are paired with trans minors and young adults to provide a safe space, connection, and empowerment.
As the Fred Rogers quote goes, “look for the helpers.” Being a mentor for trans youth is the perfect way to give back to my community and a source of great joy, without exhausting my energy, financial reality, or purpose. By respecting and honoring my own boundaries, I am also able to take the time to check in on my community and provide support.
Generations do not cease to be born, and we are responsible to them because we are the only witnesses they have.
A key lesson for me this year was expanding my care and advocacy to a global level, granting me the chance to see and feel the ache of other bodies even beyond my community.
Invisible borders, built on centuries of imperialism, cannot and must not hinder our advocacy branching outside of our own country.
In November, the UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices concluded “Israel’s methods of war [against Palestine] align with the characteristics of genocide.” They clarified: “This is not a temporary crisis; it is a lasting catastrophe for the people of Gaza,” in which clearing only half of the debris could take 45 years and some environmental damage may be irreversible.
It is something no one should abide by. Here in the U.S., we’ve seen similar devastation before: the Trail of Tears, America’s enslavement of Black people, the internment of Japanese Americans, and hundreds of thousands murdered by the US government’s disregard for Black, Brown, and queer bodies during the AIDS crisis.
I know how history views trans and queer bodies as unimportant and disposable. In his book “Queer Palestine and the Empire of Critique,” Sa’ed Atshan describes “pinkwashing,” in which governments use queer existence to justify genocide. As an example, Atshan refers to the tactic of painting the state of Israel as a “gay haven” while “eliding queer Palestinian agency,” which implies the “superior humanity” in one group over another.
Thousands of miles away, I refuse to stand by and watch intimate violence against marginalized bodies, against my own trans and queer brethren, simply because the West has allowed and contributed to it. There is safety and dignity in having one’s body valued, and with that comes a future of autonomy and sacredness for trans bodies, Palestinian bodies, and the body of our own planet.
The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us.
Advocating for others, though, is predicated on advocating for yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup, but neither can you pour from a battered and bruised cup, energy and compassion dripping through untreated cracks.
That is what I felt like before getting top surgery at the start of the year.
Every day that I woke up in a body I didn’t recognize, it was agony. To the point that even the mundane became a battle—walking my dog, getting dressed, seeing myself in the mirror before stepping into the shower. How could I help give voice to queer Palestinians, or be an asset to my own neighbors, if I was pouring all my energy into fighting my own hatred of my body?
I wanted to be a better version of myself, one who could be fully present in themselves and show up for those I cared about. So, I sat my wife down and said: “I need to get top surgery. I need it to survive. Our healthcare system is a mess, gender affirming care is being attacked on all sides, but I will figure it out.” Getting top surgery was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made, second only to marrying my wife.
ow, I wake up and want to cry tears of joy when I see myself in the mirror. Finally feeling right in my body alleviated crushing stress and pain, which in turn allowed space to be more present for my wife, my friends, and my community, both locally and across the globe. It is something I can share with my mentees to more authentically help them navigate their own dysphoria and affirming needs. After years of internal strife, I loved myself and learned how to better love others.
The ecstasy of touching someone you love, nourishing your hunger, climbing a mountain to see our world from a different perspective, it is nearly overpowering when your body is safe, cared for, fought for. I believe this feeling is an inalienable human right—for everyone.
The moment we cease to hold each other, the moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out. —James Baldwin, “For Nothing Is Fixed”
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Environmental Advocacy is the Work of a Lifetime |
I became an environmental advocate in the 1980s. I was at college in New York City when I saw an ad in the Village Voice from New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), looking for activists to fight garbage burning incinerators. Little did I know that the job involved going door-to-door, day after day, for hours on end, attempting to get people to sign petitions and make small donations. Most people didn’t open the door, and several slammed it in my face.
But I loved that job. I bonded with my fellow canvassers over the weirdest responses we received and cheered each other up when we had a bad day. We ate donuts and drank beer after canvassing and rode the Cyclone at Coney Island. Then we crashed at two in the morning and got up the next day to do the same thing again.
The people I talked to were often alarmed by the prospect of giant incinerators being built nearby that would spew pollution on their community and affect their families. They were angry that the incinerator industry claimed burning garbage for energy was a clean energy solution when much of that garbage could be recycled or composted instead. They signed the petitions and donated what they could, and some of those incinerator proposals were defeated as a result.
During the intervening decades, the lessons I took from that early job—be persistent, connect with people where they are at, and take part in a community of activism—are still with me as I continue working to create a greener and more just economy and country.
At Green America, when we reach out to corporations to urge them to green their practices—by ending the use of coal-fired power plants, eliminating toxic chemicals, reducing their paper consumption, and investing in clean energy—the first response is usually a metaphorical slam of the door in our face.
But we keep knocking because what we’re asking those corporations for is entirely doable, and will ultimately benefit their operations, as well as the planet and all of us who live on it. And we know that most people agree with us. According to a 2024 report from the Walton Family Foundation, over 75% of adult Americans support clean air and water and protecting soil health. We see that support whenever we ask Green America’s members to join our demands for companies to act responsibly and sustainably. Thousands of you consistently answer those calls because you know that you, your families, and your communities deserve clean air and water, healthy forests, safe food, and solutions to climate change. You are tired of large corporations profiting at the planet’s expense and your own.
We make it so corporations can’t ignore us, working with allies—other environmental justice organizations, investors, local activists, even employees within those corporations who also want their employers to do better—to increase the pressure. Eventually, those companies respond to our efforts by promising to act. What they do is often not all we’ve asked for and they never credit these collective efforts for moving them forward.
But it’s still a step in the right direction, and we can leverage that progress to get their competitors to follow suit. Sometimes, the people at companies who yelled at us or mocked our dedication to sustainability now ask for our help in making them greener. The results include massive purchases of clean energy, preserved forests, food that is safer to eat, and clothing and electronics that are made without the most toxic chemicals that poison workers and communities.
Those steps toward a greener world are worth protecting.
With this election, we’re getting an administration and Congress hostile to any attempts at creating a more sustainable environment and who are willing to sacrifice the health and future of others for their own short-term gain. What keeps me going is knowing that most people who live in this country want a healthier world for themselves, their children, and their communities. When government fails to create laws and regulations that protect the health of people and the planet, it’s up to us to take our concerns directly to corporations and make them listen to their own customers and investors.
But people are also tired. Many are completely disillusioned by the political system and some may no longer vote. It’s our job to connect with those people and encourage them to use their voice for change by affirming their communities matter, their concerns are included in the policies we advocate for, and if they take action, they won’t be alone. We help them join with tens and then hundreds of thousands of other concerned Americans as they take action with Green America and our allies to urge corporate America to change. Belief in the power of collective action and care for each other is at the heart of Green America’s story.
Green America was founded in the 1980s when the Reagan administration was in power and dismantled environmental laws and regulations—symbolized by immediately ripping off the White House solar panels the Carter Administration installed. As the government moved increasingly to the side of corporate polluters, Green America helped create the green business and consumer movements. We helped launch the socially responsible investment sector and worked with allies to promote the corporate social responsibility movement. Together with our individual members, Green Business Network®, and our allies, we created the green alternatives to business as usual, many of which have been adopted by the mainstream.
Now, we are facing a reinvigorated government backlash against environmental and social justice, intent on rolling back all the progress we’ve made. We need to redouble our efforts to get corporations to commit to and implement clear and actionable progress on environmental justice. We’ve done it before. In the first Trump Administration, after the administration withdrew from the Paris Climate Accords and shredded environmental regulations, renewable energy on the U.S. power grid still increased by nearly 50%—thanks to corporate, state, and local action. States placed restrictions on several of the most toxic chemicals, and we got some large corporations to voluntarily restrict them.
Even in the dark times ahead, if we work together on policies at local and state levels, and keep up the pressure on corporations, we can not only protect the gains that we’ve made, but we can also keep making progress on climate action, environmental justice, and protecting people from toxic chemicals.
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Feeling The Weight of Our Words |
This isn’t the Green American issue that we had originally planned, but in the wake of the 2024 presidential election, it is the one we feel called to create.
The return of the incoming administration to the White House was always a distinct possibility, no matter how much we might have worked for a better outcome. And regardless of who took their place in the Oval Office in 2025, we knew that there would still be a need to press our government and corporations toward implementing and enforcing policies promoting sustainable energy production and supply chains, fair labor, and social justice.
None of that negates how overwhelmed many of us have felt since the election, however. More than anything, I’m tired of joking that I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed. Because I’m not just mad, I’m a barely contained mess of fury and grief and fear—for my country, my loved ones, and for myself as a daughter of Filipino immigrants.
Let’s be clear: Being disappointed by the loss of a particular candidate you personally supported is not the same as being horrified by candidates brought to power by stoking waves of bigotry, cruelty, and utter selfishness. And openly expressing our exhaustion, frustration, and grief does not mean we’re not ready or willing to get up every day to give our best in service to the causes we believe in. Green America will not accept that false equivalence, nor are we ever giving up.
The ways people are processing what happened and what’s coming next can’t possibly fit within any neat and tidy boundaries. The immediate future we face as a country will be under heightened stakes, not “business as usual.” And it would be hubris to pretend Green America has the answers about “the right way” to feel and what we “should do” moving forward.
What we can do is share the enormity of this moment and be open about where we find ourselves, both as an organization and as a diverse array of people who bring their whole selves to the work we do at Green America. In response, we’ve created a Green American issue with a much more personal focus and perspective than has been typical in the past. In addition to sharing Green America’s moments of success from this year and suggestions for enacting green generosity beyond the winter holidays, six Green America staff members contributed personal essays sharing what advocacy means to them at the end of 2024. We have also included an organization-wide reflection on what Green America has learned from four decades of navigating the cycle of change in federal administrations and how we plan to not just defend the gains that we’ve made, but to also keep pushing for progress.
I am deeply moved and appreciative of the trust and vulnerability in these pieces, especially knowing that we live in a culture and country where historically, not all people are given equal space and benevolence for free expression. Many of our readers may recognize these writers or have worked with them in the past, but for me, these pieces have provided a deeper glimpse into the experiences of my coworkers who I’ve only known for eight months.
Todd Larsen celebrated his twenty-fifth anniversary with Green America soon after I came on board, but I hadn’t known his experience with direct environmental advocacy went all the way back to his college days in the 1980s. Watching Todd lead our climate and worker justice campaigns by leaning into economic activism, it’s easy to see how his thoughtfulness, keen insight, and willingness to learn from discomfort stem from those early days knocking on doors to talk with people in New York City neighborhoods about environmental issues.
Dr. LaKeisha Thorpe and I immediately bonded over a shared love of Star Wars and pop culture, but what I’ve enjoyed the most is seeing how she weaves justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) principles into every facet of her work. Barely two years into her tenure with Green America it’s clear how we are a better organization and more empathetic people thanks to her encouragement to challenge our unexamined assumptions. The ways LaKeisha is leading our programs to push even harder on JEDI work is a constant source of inspiration.
I couldn’t ask for a better editorial team than Mary Meade and Anya Crittenton, both of whom are incredible writers. Mary’s expertise, particularly in online communications and Green America’s library of articles, has been invaluable support in my new role. And since taking the lead on layout with the most recent Your Green Life issue, she’s revealed a fresh and energetic eye for design.
Anya’s dedication to living a green life and enthusiasm for social justice is evident in both their professional and personal lives. Whether telling compelling stories about everyday Green Americans or helping Green Business Network® members navigate the complex transition to sustainable business practices, Anya is a fierce and selfless advocate for others.
I was in college when Al Gore began speaking about climate change and I can’t fathom what it’s like for folks like Emily Chambliss to face the onset of adulthood under today’s circumstances. Even though her time as our intern is finite, Emily’s clear and determined voice has been a constant reminder of the potential in the generation now coming of age.
Last but not least, Dennis Greenia has been a steadying anchor whose calm and friendly demeanor belies a tenacious belief in the possibility of a greener, more just world. He has been with Green America longer than almost anyone else and inhabited many roles, including production of this magazine and our other publications and as our Human Resources Director. Our team is so thankful for his dedication to protecting the benefits, such as access to reproductive healthcare, remote-supportive culture, and four-day work week, that Green America has traditionally provided for all our staff spread over 20 states and out of the country.
I’m proud of how these essays demonstrate a willingness to be honest and accountable to who we are as people. Words only carry as much weight as we’re willing to give them and immense harm often follows when people are not held responsible for what they say, especially when they occupy positions of influence and power. And as Green America has proven time and again, the weight of our words is always matched by the strength of our actions.
We are all capable of being many things at once—hopeful, grieving, angry, blunt, poignant, exhausted, determined—but most importantly, Green Americans are united by an abiding love for our communities and our planet. I’m reminded of a concept embraced by the late celebrated science fiction author Terry Pratchett—militant decency is the idea that not only is anger a natural reaction to witnessing the ills of the world, we should be intensely, incandescently angry about them—and then use that anger to fuel our efforts to make the world a better place.
Our government may have changed, but our dedication to Green America’s mission has not. Whether you are sad, lost, determined, frightened, or furious, your feelings are justified, we hear you, and we will continue to act in service of a greener, safer, kinder, and more joyful world for us all. We hope that somewhere within these pages, you can find what inspires you to feel seen, empowered, and anchored, so you may act with clarity and intention regardless of what lies ahead. It ultimately doesn’t matter if those actions are directed toward caring for yourself, focused into the bonds of intimate community, or spread outward to local, state, or national levels, so long as you stay guided by the beliefs that sustain you and the people you love.
That is the heart of Green Advocacy and we are proud to share it with you.
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Together, We Are Powerful |
In the face of uncertainty, working together for a green economy is more important than ever.
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Sustainable Gifts for Everyone on Your List |
The holidays are upon us and with them the flurry to find the perfect gift for loved ones. This year, consider giving to not just people, but the planet, too, by shopping our guide of sustainable gifts. From pets to the ones who say they don’t need anything, you’ll find a gift for everyone on your list.
Every item recommended in this article comes from our certified Green Business Network members, which meet or exceed Green America’s standards for social and environmental responsibility.
For the Coffee and Tea Drinkers
Roots Tea ($12) from Conscious Choices for All is a blend of burdock, dandelion, astragalus, and sassafras roots with chaga fungi. Tasting like snickerdoodle, this tea cleanses the liver and blood pathways.
Treated like a sustainable crop, organic tea is made without chemicals like herbicides or chemical fertilizer and grown with regenerative practices like crop rotation. For those who like flavored teas, indulge with loose leaf Organic Raspberry Green Tea ($3.50 - $25.50) from Arbor Teas.
Are you an espresso snob? Enjoy some quality beans with Café Mam‘s Royal Espresso Blend ($7.50 - $55), a classic Italian espresso. It is flavored with dark chocolate, berries, maple syrup, and spice and also comes in decaf and half-caf.
People take their matcha seriously—and they should. Help your loved one take their matcha to the next level with the Matcha Set ($24.99) from Davidson Tea. The set comes with a matcha bowl, a whisk, and a finely carved spoon. It is designed specifically for ceremonial matcha, the highest quality grade of matcha used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, meant to be mixed only with water, made of younger leaves and known for its subtle flavor.
For the Homebodies
Add some color to the home with an eco-cotton rug from Hook and Loom. The Alford Stripe Eco Cotton Rug ($24 - $305) is made from freshly spun 100% recycled fiber and can be machine washed and tumble dried.
Daddy Van's All Natural Unscented Beeswax Furniture Polish ($16.98) is a great way to show your furniture some love. This USDA certified 100% biobased furniture polish is non-toxic and both food- and baby-safe.
Laundry is an essential part of any household and though detergent may not seem like an exciting gift, you may be surprised at the joy when people receive things that help them out. So, try the laundry detergent ($35) from The Good Home Co. that comes in several scents like Beach Days, Lavender, Pine Forest, and more.
Your home should be a safe and healthy place. However, there are many ways for toxic chemicals to leech into the air, from cooking to painting or bad air quality outside. Make sure all your loved ones’ homes are as clean as possible with an air purifier ($549 - $995) from Pure Living Space.
Add some joy and whimsy to your home with the Peace Wreath ($32). Handmade using sustainable materials of Philippine Coral Tree wood wrapped in sustainably harvested galtang vine, this gift is from TenFold Fair Trade and can be customized with flowers, lights, holiday imagery, or whatever you want!
To all the readers out there who know the aesthetic of your bookshelf is paramount: get ready to have fun customizing your own bookshelf. The FlexModerne ($18 - $1,010) line from 57NorthPlank is the perfect project for a bookworm. And once they have it, get some VOC-free paint, and go to town!
For the Foodies and Cooks
Try some new foods in your garden for your next meal. Boothby Blonde Cucumber Seeds ($4 - $12.50) from Turtle Tree Seed produce 6-inch fruits with yellow-white tender skin and black spines, with a rich sweet flavor.
Pop open the bottle and enjoy wine the sustainable way with Frey Vineyards. Their organic and biodynamic wines are sure to please the greenest of wine connoisseurs. Try the 2020 Biodynamic Cabernet Sauvignon ($25) which is layered with allspice, huckleberry and underbrush, and finished off with graceful tannins.
Don’t underestimate the importance of quality olive oil. Canaan Palestine offers a variety of oils, including their Chili Olive Oil ($24), which is made with ancient landrace Souri olives and fresh whole chilis that are crushed together at the olive press. This production method requires precise agricultural artistry in coordinating harvests for chili to be at their peak of flavor in time for the olive season.
With a higher smoke point than olive oil, grapeseed oil is also good to have on hand, especially if you’re cooking with stainless steel (a non-toxic option for your cookware). Food & Vine offers different versions of grapeseed oil ($13.95+) and bottle them in unfilled wine bottles from local wineries.
Make pizza night more fun with the Bicycle Pizza Cutter ($24) from TenFold Fair Trade. Made of stainless steel, TenFold worked with their fair trade partner Noah’s Ark in India for this piece.
Indulge your sweet tooth and get the Espresso & Peanut Butter Truffles Gift Set ($9) that is fair trade and organic. Philly Fair Trade also prioritize low waste in their treat creation process.
For the Pets
It’s not just us who deserve fun treats for the holidays! Give your furry friend their own goodie with the Catnip Carrot Toy ($7.95) from Purrfect Play.
After all that playing, pamper your pet with a luxurious bath and the Zero Waste Pet Shampoo Bar ($12.25) by Tangie. This package-free bar is made with safe and healthy ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, and bentonite clay. It lathers well, and a small amount goes a long way.
The Jive ($21.99) is safer and tougher than a tennis ball and fits in the standard ball thrower. It is BPA-free, latex-free, and FDA-approved. You can get Air Bud’s new favorite toy from The Green Corner Store.
For the Self-Care Types
Eliminate 3-6 bottled conditioners and switch to Zero Waste Conditioner Bars ($12.25) by Tangie. Made of non-toxic ingredients, this bar comes in several scents: lavender; rosemary mint; citrus; rose geranium; rosemary, lemongrass & lime; bergamot & patchouli; and unscented.
Argan oil is a beloved ingredient in many self-care routines for its ability to smooth, repair, and moisturize. Treat your loved one with triple the goodies with the Argan Oil Kit ($48) from RoseMira.
It’s winter, which means the air is dry and cold, and not very gentle on your skin. Kusum Cosmetics is here to fix that with the Hydrating Body Care Set ($199), which comes with a shower gel and body lotion.
Make sure the bathroom becomes a true spa with extra touches like the Agave Washcloth ($9.82) from Soap for Goodness Sake. This fair trade product is made from renewably grown fiber without pesticides and provides natural exfoliation.
Rosemary is a powerful herb in many cultures, especially if slipped under a pillow to ward off nightmares. That is the idea behind the Dream Pillow ($7) from Herbaliz. Dried herbs in a muslin bag, you can tuck the bag under your pillow for sweeter sleep.
For the Little Ones
Surprise a kid in your life with an unexpected and imaginative gift. The Self Love Pouch ($25.95) is a portable potion-making kit from Little Hands that inspires confidence, strength and self-awareness.
If you have new parents in your life, a perfect gift is the Gentle Start Breathable Crib Mattress ($199) from Lullaby Earth. Made of non-toxic materials, the mattress specializes in breathability with a 3-dimensional fabric that promotes air flow.
Show them how nature is in everything and has many uses with Crayon Rocks – 16 Count ($11.80) from The Green Corner Store. They are non-toxic and made with soy wax.
For the Luxurious
Who doesn’t appreciate some extravagance once in a while? Make a statement with Columbia Gem House, an ethical gem and jewelry company, and an 8-9mm Round Cortez Pearl® Necklace on a Sterling Silver Box Chain ($420). Columbia Gem House is dedicated to an ethical supply chain and is a certified fair trade business.
Dazzle everyone this winter with the Petite Snowflake Pendant ($475) in white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold. This delicate piece from MiaDonna, also a certified B Corp, is made from 13 round-cut lab-grown diamonds, and every order plants a tree.
For the Energy-Focused
Prabhuji’s Gifts offers a variety of goods to bring the right energies into your life, from incense to smudging herbs, palo santo, and accessories. The Resin Incense Intention Line ($1.74 - $9.32) is certified vegan and can address things like promoting health and healing, a peaceful home, money and prosperity, or clearing negativity.
Start 2025 off on the right foot with the 2025 Datebook: Moon Calendar & Astrological Planner ($22.95) from We’Moon. This planner features daily astrological data, moon phases, changes in sun and moon signs, and multiple ways to plan—week, month, or year at a glance.
Offering support and refining poses, the Yoga Bolster ($98) is an essential tool for any practitioner. Carolina Mornings notes they can also be good for restorative yoga and injury recovery. This yoga bolster is filled with organic Kapok for optimal firmness.
For the Friends
Surprise your friends with the ultimate gift—a sustainable vacation! Winkaffe specializes in tailored, sustainable travel plans for any focus, whether that’s food, culture, or history.
Surprise your sisters with Sorority Roll-On® Bracelets ($42) from Aid Through Trade. Officially recognized by the Greek system, each set comes with three bracelets.
Does your family have a saying? Do you have a message to send to the world? Or maybe your friend just loves Taylor Swift. Whatever the idea, Ink Forest can help you out with custom designed t-shirts, made from non-toxic materials like soybean-based solvents and distributed via fair trade.
For Anyone and Everyone
Give both to a loved one and Mother Earth by planting a tree in the name of the recipient with Trees for a Change.
Happy green shopping!
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How We're Greening America |
From the most recent issue of our magazine, Green American, where we update readers on the progress we've made over the last quarter on climate, finance, food, labor, social justice, and more.
We made tremendous progress building the green economy in 2024. Since our founding 40 years ago, Green America has focused on how consumers, businesses, and investors together can create a greener, fairer world, without Washington. And we’re seeing the results all around us—from farmers and companies embracing regenerative agriculture, to corporations rapidly investing in solar and wind, companies taking responsibility for toxic chemicals in their supply chains, and the thriving marketplace for small green businesses nationwide.
In 2025, with an administration that opposes solutions to the climate crisis and supports the agendas of large corporations advancing profits at the expense of everyone else, we are prepared for this moment. We’ll accelerate our green economy work on behalf of people and the planet and make progress on the most crucial issues no matter what happens in Washington—while pushing back against the worst actions coming out of Washington.
Advancing Clean Energy and Climate Solutions
Our Hang Up on Fossil Fuels campaign is moving the communications sector to 100% renewable energy that supports energy justice. Verizon is now committed to 100% renewable energy, following T-Mobile’s lead. And AT&T is ramping up renewables as well. Our Cool It campaign is getting commitments from giant grocery chains to phase out climate-destroying refrigerants, with Kroger announcing the use of natural refrigerants that protect the planet in all its new stores.
In 2025, we’ll put pressure on Comcast (which owns media giants NBC and Universal) and the tech sector to address the growing energy use of massive data centers and artificial intelligence. We’ll up the pressure on grocery chains to protect the planet with climate-friendly refrigerants. And, at the state level, we’ll work with local and national allies to stop California from pursuing biomass—cutting down forests to create energy overseas.
Accelerating Regenerative Food and Agriculture
We’re advancing regenerative agriculture at the farm and local level. Our Soil & Climate Initiative now covers 250,000 acres of regenerative farmland that sequesters carbon, protects soil health, and creates more nourishing foods. We’ve also registered over 26,000 Climate Victory Gardens nationwide drawing down carbon in backyards and communities. Our gardening webinars and resources reach over half a million people each year, and we mobilize our audiences to get food giants to end their use of harmful pesticides, with B&G foods (owner of Green Giant) taking initial steps to phase out the worst ones.
In 2025, we’ll work in Kansas to transition wheat to regenerative practices, with a long-term goal of all 5 million acres of wheat supporting climate and soil health. We’ll add another 5,000 registered Climate Victory Gardens, while working to bring organic and regenerative produce to communities that need it most. And we’ll build on our work to get large companies like Target, B&G Foods, and Conagra (think Orville Redenbacher and Act II popcorn) to remove toxic pesticides from their supply chains.
Securing Labor Justice
Our Clean Electronics Production Network launched a new chemical safety training program for workers and managers to protect electronics workers from toxic chemical exposures. We joined with the Pay Your Workers campaign to mobilize consumers, media, and activists on the ground to pressure Specialized Bicycles to start paying workers for back wages they were owned when their factory shut down.
In 2025, we’ll pilot a new chemical safety training program in Vietnam, where electronics companies are increasingly moving their production. We’ll increase our pressure on large companies to pay workers worldwide wages they’re owed. And with federal and state enforcement of child labor laws likely decreasing in 2025, we’ll publish a Dirty Dozen list of US companies that are using child labor and put pressure on them to end the practice.
Growing Responsible Investing
At a time when large insurers are dropping customers in states hit by climate disasters while heavily investing in the fossil fuels that drive climate change, our Responsible Finance Campaign launched the new Climate Smart Insurance Directory to help people nationwide find insurers with little to no investments driving the climate crisis. And we fought the increasing attacks from Republicans at the federal and state level against socially responsible investing and corporate diversity, quity, and inclusion programs.
In 2025, we’ll launch our upgraded Get a Better Bank Directory, making it easier to find thousands of banks and credit unions that are working to build up communities nationwide. We’ll promote resources to make it simpler for all investors to bank and invest responsibly. And we’ll continue to defend socially responsible investing and corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from right wing attacks.
Growing the Green Marketplace with Consumers and Green Businesses
We reached millions of consumers online, and in earned and social media, with information about how to live, shop, and invest green, helping people find true green products and services. And we expanded our guides, webinars, and blogs to help the small and local companies in our Green Business Network deepen their social and environmental commitments and expand their customer base.
In 2025, we’ll increase our green living content and help people support Black, Brown, LGBTQ+, and women-owned businesses that are working to create a better world. And we’ll launch an incubator to support green businesses plus a podcast to help businesses across the country go green.
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Grocery Stores Must Take Action to Stop Climate Change |
Safeway and other major grocery chains have a huge climate problem. Refrigerators in the companies’ stores using potent super-pollutant gasses, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are leaking and accelerating the climate crisis.
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Responsible Finance Resources |
Green America Resources
Green America has resources to help you at every stage of your journey in aligning your money with your values. You can find these resources throughout the Finance section of our website, and here.
- Want to learn the basics of investing? Check out our Investing 101 site (coming soon!)
Green America Guides
Still trying to figure out how a particular aspect of responsible finance works? Check out one of Green America’s guides:
- Our Plan for a Better Future guide, co-authored with Social(k), tells you how you can get your employer to add socially responsible options to your workplace retirement plan.
Green America Webinars
In Spring 2024, Green America worked with GreenFaith and Third Act Upstate New York to produce a series of Responsible Finance webinars on banking, credit cards, insurance, and investing.
All four Aligning Your Money with Your Values webinars are on the Green America YouTube Channel and can be found below.
Responsible Investing (March 13, 2024)
Better Banking (April 3, 2024)
Take Charge of Your Credit Card (April 25, 2024)
Responsible Home and Auto Insurance (May 15, 2024)
Align Your Money with Your Values Curriculum
Want to align your money with your values in all aspects of finance, but don’t want to go it alone? Form a cohort!
Pull together a group of at least four people (including yourself), and we will send you our Align Your Money with Your Values curriculum, plus our slide decks and other resources, and give you personalized advice to get you started on your responsible finance journey.
Our 12-part curriculum, created with GreenFaith and Third Act Upstate New York, will walk your group through the information, steps, and resources you need to align your money with your values in banking, credit cards, insurance, and investing. Learn more at Join a Cohort (coming soon!)
Office Hours
Getting stuck in your journey to more responsible finance? Got a nagging issue or a question you can’t find the answer to?
Our friends at This! Is What We Did offer Move Your Money Office Hours. You can sign up for a 30-minute appointment with a trained peer facilitator to ask questions and get personalized assistance in switching to a new bank or credit card. Sign up here
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Leaking Climate Havoc in Your Grocery Store |
 Refrigerant leaks were detected in 50% of the 28 stores investigated in Northern California. |  The Save Mart Companies (“Save Mart”) had leaks in 75% of stores visited. |  Leaks were found in half of the Safeway, Smart & Final, and Walmart stores visited for each company. |  Investigations in the Washington, DC metro area and New York City have revealed similarly high rates of leaking stores. |  Albertsons – parent company of Safeway – and Save Mart have both settled with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) numerous times between 2015 and 2024 for violations of the state’s Refrigerant Management Program, with penalties totaling nearly $7 million. |  Based on CARB refrigerant management data, 23 of the stores in this investigation reported leaks in 2023. In 2024, our investigation found leaks at 12 of those stores, suggesting chronic leaks. |
Nearly all cooling systems, from a small window air conditioner to a large supermarket freezer, use some type of refrigerant. The most common in the market today are HFCs. HFCs were introduced in the 1990s as a replacement for ozone depleting substances (ODS), which are being eliminated globally under the Montreal Protocol. While HFCs are not ODS, they are thousands of times more powerful climate warming gases than CO2, with global warming potentials (GWPs) as high as 12,690 – earning their title of “super pollutants.”
HFCs are projected to comprise 19% of total global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as demand for cooling and refrigeration systems increases worldwide; addressing these gases has been recognized among the largest climate mitigation opportunities available. Under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the global community is already working to phase down HFCs and transition to climate-friendly alternatives, including in the U.S. Alternative refrigerants with ultra-low GWPs such as CO2, propane, ammonia, and other hydrocarbon blends are already in use today.
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Green Gifts from Black-Owned Small Businesses |
Shopping at small and local businesses is good for the circular economy and a best practice for supporting people and the planet. This is doubly true for businesses owned and operated by diverse leadership, especially those who have been kept from wealth accumulation. Patronizing Black-owned businesses is a smart way to Vote with Your Dollar and uplift those who have been historically marginalized.
It’s even better when you’re shopping for gifts, because who doesn’t love a gift?
Every gift recommended in this article comes from our certified Green Business Network members, which meet or exceed Green America’s standards for social and environmental responsibility, or businesses from Get The Bag {GBN}, a collective of Black woman-owned businesses.
Non-Toxic Body, Face, and Hair Care
Treat them to a luxurious Mini Facial Travel Kit ($25), which includes cleanser, toner, moisturizer, lip balm, sponge, and wooden spoon. Natural As I Wanna Be uses nontoxic ingredients in their products, which range from face to body care.
Treat yo’ self applies to the whole self. That’s where the WalkAbout Beard Oil ($25), a conditioning and soothing oil, comes in. 4elements Bath uses organic and wildly harvested ingredients to make their products, which are then placed in recycled packaging.
Put on your best face with the Vibranium Gold - Luminizer Stick ($30), a glow and brightening creme, from Plain Jane Beauty. It’s organic, cruelty-free, and is free from toxic ingredients like synthetic fragrances.
Accessories
Hi Barbie! Look your best while you live your best with the Coco Cabana (Fuschia) ($119.99) from Wooden Element. This handcrafted accessory boasts a sleek bamboo face, and Wooden Element uses upcycled wood material.
Home & Kitchenware
It’s time to add some color and fun to your home. From Mirrors Decorated, which offers original and sustainable, the WIND, "Green Color Study" Decorative Wall Mirror ($625) is a lovely piece. The mirror is made of recycled materials and papier-mâché.
Honor Black excellence with the “Josephine” Luxury Candle ($48) from Harlem Candle Co. This citrus and bergamot-scented candle celebrates entertainer Josephine Baker. Harlem’s candles are cruelty-free and vegan, made of soy wax, with clean burn 100% cotton wicks, and recyclable packaging.
Harlem Toile celebrates Black lives in with homeware reinterpreting traditional toile de Jouy. The pattern “depicts a scene of contemporary life that playfully satirizes both old and new cultural narratives.” These Sheila Bridges x Williams Sonoma Harlem Toile Cocktail Napkins, Set of 4 ($19.95) are beautiful and eye-catching additions to the home.
Food & Drink
Step up your tea game with Amber Tea Crystals ($7 - $9), made from pure cane sugar. From Adjourn Tea House, these crystal pieces add a natural, subtle sweetness to your tea.
Gwell’s signature are their tea cookies. The Peach and Pomegranate Superfood Tea Cookies ($6, or $5.40 with a subscription) is a shortbread cookie that is plant-based, non-GMO, and sustainably sourced organic peaches and pomegranates.
Did someone say chocolate? Joy Craft Cocoa’s Hot Chocolate Experience Gift Box ($33.99) is a decadent gift for a loved one. It comes in various flavors, like Mexican hot chocolate or chocolate strawberry, this set comes with packs of cocoa, recipe cards, artisan marshmallows, and more.
Build your friend a custom 6-Piece Bon Bon Box ($16) from One More Cocoa with flavors like scotch bonnet honey and strawberry cheesecake.
Everything Else
Get something truly unique with the 8 x 10 Classic Silhouette ($35) from artist Janelle Washington. The custom pieces are hand-drawn and –cut and can highlight fun hairstyles and accessories, too.
Go deep next game night with the Actually Curious Game – Human Rights edition ($25). This card-based game invites friends and family to explore important topics facing our society and our lives including social justice, mental health, environmental sustainability, and more.
Find a Black-owned bookstore in the US, like Black Pearl Books in Austin, TX and give your recipient a banned book, like Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” ($8.99).
Happy sustainable shopping!
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Responsible Finance Action Center |
For most people, aligning your money with your values requires some education. Where can you find financial institutions that don’t bankroll fossil fuels? Which insurance companies don’t underwrite or invest in oil and gas? How do you know where your retirement funds are invested?
If you are unsure how all of this works, Green America has lots of information and resources. Learn more about all aspects of responsible finance at these links:
If you are ready to move forward with aligning your money with your values, click on one of the boxes below to:
- Take a pledge to divest your finances from fossil fuels
- Access our curriculum for cohorts who want to move their money together
- See our top resources and guides for better options in all aspects of finance
- Find fossil free products and services

Take the Pledge (Coming Soon)

Form a Cohort (Coming Soon)
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Shareholder Resources |
If you want to learn more about socially and environmentally responsible shareholder resolutions filed each year, Green America's allied organizations have several resources that can help.
Proxy Preview
One of the important shareholder resources is Proxy Preview, published each spring by As You Sow, Sustainable Investments Institute, and Proxy Impact. Proxy Preview tracks and analyzes hundreds of shareholder resolutions on environmental, political spending, human rights, diversity, governance issues, and more.
It includes dozens of contributor articles by authorities and practitioners, weekly proxy voting alerts, and a review of proxy voting results. Green America endorses Proxy Preview each year and pulls from the resolutions it tracks to provide Key Shareholder Resolutions to Vote each year.
Resolution Process
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), a coalition of over 300 faith- and values-based institutional investors, explains shareholder engagement as a host of strategies investors use to influence companies on environmental and social risk. These strategies include dialogues with corporate management, filing shareholder proposals, and more.
ICCR also has a guide on How to File a Shareholder Resolution.
US Sustainable Investment Forum explains the nuts and bolts of shareholder resolutions such as who may file, rules on subject matter and format, and impact in several issue areas.
Of increasing importance in the face of mounting attacks on responsible investment is understanding and defending shareholder rights. The Shareholder Rights Group publishes blog posts that explore the legal and administrative underpinnings for shareholder engagement.
Resolution Trackers
Each year ICCR issues a Proxy Resolutions and Voting Guide. The guide presents ICCR member-sponsored resolutions in human rights, climate change, political lobbying, diversity and racial justice, corporate governance, environmental health, health equity, and more.
As You Sow, which harnesses shareholder power to create lasting change, leads dozens of shareholder resolutions each year across a broad range of ESG issues. You can see these resolutions – and the outcomes – on their Resolutions Tracker.
Ceres, a nonprofit advocacy organization that works to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable economy, has an Engagement Tracker that follows hundreds of climate-related shareholder resolutions and director votes each year. You can reach each resolution, see who filed it, and learn its status. You can also search the tracker for specific resolutions or topics.
Shareholder Proposals: An Essential Investor Right
The investor right to file shareholder proposals has recently come under attack from legislation in Congress, lawsuits filed in the federal courts in Texas, and new regulatory guidance from the SEC. Shareholder Proposals: An Essential Investor Right, published by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, the Shareholder Rights Group, and US SIF, offers a detailed and thoughtful defense of shareholder proposals. It catalogues their role in creating a powerful public platform for challenging and improving corporate policies, practices, performance and impacts and providing an important mechanism for surfacing investor perspectives on material issues.
The report demonstrates how shareholder proposals have enabled investors to safeguard their portfolios from risks and protect the American public by helping to catalyze positive corporate change on an array of issues such as excessive drug pricing by pharmaceutical companies, railroad safety, online child safety at tech companies, and oversight of addictive opioids by manufacturers. It also spotlights improvements in corporate governance such as annual board elections, independent directors and majority voting that have occurred from decades of shareholder proposals led largely by a dedicated group of individual investors seeking structural changes at corporations to improve board and management accountability.
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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Key Shareholder Resolutions to Vote |
The 2025 shareholder resolution season is underway – but scaled back from previous years. Shareholders filed 355 environmental, social, and governance proposals as of February 21, 2025 – 34% less than the 536 such proposals in 2024.
Why is the number of shareholder resolutions down this year?
- Shareholders who filed resolutions in previous years decided not to file this year until they could assess the direction of the new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
- The change in presidential administration has dramatically shifted policy at the SEC, which is excluding many more proposals now than in previous years.
- More companies engaged in dialogue with shareholders to avoid the need to vote on resolutions that could draw attention given the current political attacks on DEI and climate.
Still, there are many important shareholder resolutions to vote on in 2025, including:
- 85 proposals that address climate change
- 77 proposals on corporate political influence
- 52 proposals on environmental management
- 37 proposals on human rights
- 36 proposals on diversity at work
If you own company stock directly (not in a mutual fund), we urge you to vote your values on the company's resolutions.
Below you will find a list of 2025 shareholder resolutions as of February 21, grouped by company name and by issue. Please vote YES on resolutions that reflect your values.
Read your proxy ballots carefully and cast your votes to reflect your values. Here are quick tips on how to read a proxy ballot.
By Company
Issues Structure
Resolutions By Issue
New this year is a list of anti-ESG resolutions that attack corporate progress on diversity, human rights and other important social issues. . The number of anti-ESG resolutions continues to climb, this year accounting for 14.7% of all proposals.
Please vote NO on any anti-ESG resolution. It is important that anti-ESG proposals are soundly defeated.
Please note that each company's proxy ballot may not exactly match the shareholder resolutions we list here. This list is based on Proxy Preview, which was published this year in April. Often companies challenge shareholder resolutions at the SEC, or a resolution may be withdrawn by its sponsor. If that occurs after Proxy Preview goes to print, you may not see that resolution listed on the company's proxy ballot.
Here are definitions of key abbreviations and terms you’ll see in our short descriptions of the shareholder resolutions:
*GHG = greenhouse gas
*Net-zero GHG emissions = “net zero means cutting greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere, by oceans and forests for instance” – United Nations
*Paris-compliant = Ensuring that actions support the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. U.N. Climate Change; The Paris Agreement
*Scope 3 = “….emissions a company is responsible for outside of its own walls—from the goods it purchases to the disposal of the products it sells? In fact, the majority of total corporate emissions come from Scope 3 sources,…” Greenhouse Gas Protocol
*ILO Labor Standards = International Labor Standards; United National International Labor Standards
As a share owner, you are a part-owner of the company, and voting your proxy is an important responsibility.
- Learn about your shareholder rights! Shareholder Proposals: An Essential Investor Right, by the Shareholder Rights Group, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and US SIF, catalogues the role of shareholder resolutions in creating a powerful platform for challenging and improving corporate policies, practices, performance and impacts, and in surfacing investor perspectives on material issues.
- Learn about Shareholder Democracy, a movement to transform corporate governance by empowering nonprofit civil society organizations to represent shareholders of publicly traded companies.
Thank you for voting your values! Post this “I'm voting” badge on social media and let people know you're proud to raise your voice on important issues as a shareholder. Click to share to Facebook or Twitter.
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.
Additional Resources
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What to Know About Shareholder Activism |
What You Need to Know About Shareholder Activism
Dialogues...proxy voting...resolutions. What does it all mean? How can you use your investments to join shareholder advocacy for corporate responsibility? Below, we give you the basics about how shareholder activism works, and how you can get involved.
What is shareholder action?
Shareholder action, also known as shareholder advocacy or shareholder activism, describes the efforts of a growing number of investors to use their status as part-owners of companies to influence corporate behavior. As one of the three main strategies of socially responsible investing (SRI), shareholder action is a powerful tool for encouraging corporations to improve their social and environmental records.
Shareholder activists employ the following strategies:
Dialogues
Often, the first step a coalition of investors will take to change corporate behavior is to request a dialogue with management on issues of concern. Individual investors often participate in the dialogue process by writing letters to corporate management in support of shareholder campaigns.
Shareholder resolutions
If dialogues yield no progress, or if a company refuses to discuss issues with shareholders in the first place, concerned investors will often introduce shareholder resolutions, or written requests to company management. As owners of a corporation, shareholders have the right to participate in annual meetings—and to file resolutions to be voted on at these meetings. These resolutions can request reports from management or propose that the company consider changes in practices or policies.
Here's where the power of the individual comes in: All shareholders who have held at least one share of company stock for two months or more may vote on resolutions either in person at the company's annual meeting or via a proxy ballot that is mailed or e-mailed to all investors before the annual meeting. Proxy ballots arrive together with the proxy statement, which is a booklet that presents the details of the proposals that must come to shareholders for a vote. Proxy voting is the primary forum where management seeks affirmation of what it is doing, and where shareowners weigh in on important issues.
Divestment campaigns
If dialogues and resolutions fail to get results, shareholders may divest, or sell off, their stock in the company in protest. Divestment campaigns were key in persuading corporations with a stake in South Africa to pull out of the country as a means of pressuring the government to abolish apartheid. Even the hint of a divestment campaign being launched against it can make a corporation sit up and take notice, as divestment represents a potential drop in share price and loss of revenue. However, divestment is used as a last resort of shareholders, since it signals an end to attempts to negotiate.
I get proxy ballots in the mail (or e-mail). What do I do with them?
Your proxy ballot will arrive before a company's annual meeting, which generally takes place in the spring of each year, so look carefully at any correspondence from the companies in which you hold stock, or from your financial adviser.
Remember, if you invest in mutual funds, you automatically delegate your proxy voting rights to the fund managers, so it is important to invest in funds that share your values.
You vote your proxy simply by filling out the form you receive and mailing it back before the due date; phoning your results in, if there is a call-in option listed on your ballot; or voting on the Internet using special voting Web sites like proxyvote.com. Be sure to mark your votes on your ballot, even if the instructions don't specifically tell you to do so; ballots returned unmarked count as votes for management's position. How to read a proxy ballot
Some organizations such as As You Sow are now using a proxy voting app. Votes are recommended for board elections and shareholder resolutions in hundreds of companies; you can follow all the recommended votes, or review them individually to decide how to vote. Learn more.
I heard that some shareholder resolutions get less than 10 percent of the vote. How can these low numbers trigger corporate change?
Historically, very few social resolutions achieve majority votes at corporate annual meetings. In fact, many votes come in at the 5 percent to 25 percent range. However, even those seemingly low numbers represent a significant number of unhappy shareholders. And, since shareholder action campaigns are often accompanied by coordinated consumer and media campaigns, resolutions represent damage to a company's reputation and branding, and a potential loss of revenue through negative publicity, consumer boycotts, and loss of investor confidence.
In fact, the mere act of filing a proposal has prompted some companies to amend their policies. When a resolution succeeds even before it comes to a vote, investors will usually withdraw it from the ballot.
If a resolution comes to a vote and the company doesn't respond, shareholder activists will often keep the pressure on by re-filing the proposal the following year. According to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), approved in 2020, a resolution must receive 5 percent of the vote the first year it is filed, 15 percent the second year, and 25 percent every year thereafter to continue to be included on the proxy ballot.
I own stock, but I never see my proxy ballots. Why?
Your money manager or financial adviser may be receiving your proxy ballots and voting on your behalf. When you first hired your money manager or financial adviser, you may have signed paperwork saying you didn't want to receive these materials. Ask your money manager or financial adviser if you can get the proxy ballots so you can vote—or if you can give instructions on how you want the votes cast and let him or her do the paperwork. Warning: Many money managers or advisory groups have policies dictating that they automatically vote with corporate management. If this is the case, you'll have to get guarantees from your financial adviser that s/he will follow your instructions, or take voting into your own hands, since corporate managers almost always recommend voting against social and environmental concerns.
If you invest in mutual funds, you automatically delegate your voting rights to fund managers. To find out how your mutual fund is voting on proxy resolutions, call the fund's investor relations department, request this information, and express your views on the position you want the fund to take. Thanks to a recent SEC ruling, mutual funds have been required to disclose how they vote their proxies since August 31, 2004.
Why does my socially responsible mutual fund invest in companies with questionable practices? Is it engaging in shareholder action?
Most likely, yes. As noted above, socially responsible mutual funds promote corporate responsibility by targeting exceptional companies for investment, by avoiding the most irresponsible companies, and by putting their considerable investment clout behind shareholder campaigns targeting borderline companies.
Thanks to a recent SEC ruling mandating transparency in mutual fund proxy voting, all mutual funds are now required to provide investors with information about how they are voting all their proxy ballots. If you have a particular concern about a company included in your mutual fund, call the fund's investor relations department and ask for its proxy voting information.
Can I introduce a shareholder resolution?
Any shareholder who has owned $2,000 worth of a company's stock for a continuous three years or more can introduce a proposal. However, it's often best for individual investors to team up with investor coalitions or organizations. More on filing shareholder resolutions
Often, the first thing a company will do upon receiving a resolution is to take it before the SEC and ask that it be thrown out; groups with experience introducing shareholder resolutions have the resources and legal backing to ensure that their proposals make it onto the ballot and are written correctly. An easier way to get involved in filing a proposal is to join an existing group of filers and be a co-filer, lending your shares to the coalition, being updated on its progress, and providing input on negotiations within the company.
Ready to start voting your values? Check out the latest key shareholder resolutions to vote.
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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Shareholder Advocacy |
If you have owned just one share of stock in a company for two months, you have a voice in how that company is run. As a shareholder, you can be an advocate for social and environmental issues you care about that are affected by the companies in which you invest.
Each year, companies that are publicly traded on the stock market hold an annual general meeting (AGM). Leading up to and at that meeting, all shareholders vote on the board of directors as well as key issues brought forward through shareholder resolutions.
Hundreds of shareholder resolutions are filed every year on a wide range of environmental, social, and governance issues at companies across all sectors of our economy. Examples include asking companies to set goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, report on gender and racial pay disparities, disclose political influence spending, and more.
Shareholder ballots—called proxy ballots because they are voted remotely by proxy rather than in person at the company’s annual meeting—are emailed or postal mailed to shareholders. Voting your proxy ballots is a powerful way to voice your values in how the companies you invest in are run.
Shareholder advocacy has a long and storied history, but is perhaps best known for contributing to the downfall of apartheid in South Africa. It has been used to bring attention to critical social and economic concerns that may not show up in a company’s books but nevertheless affect the company’s outlook.
Voting on shareholder resolutions is not like voting in an election. Even if a resolution does not pass, if a significant percentage of shareholders support it, that may be enough to push a company to change. Sometimes resolutions are withdrawn, not because they don’t have support but because company leadership decides to implement what the resolution was asking for.
Click on the boxes below to learn more about shareholder advocacy and key resolutions to vote.
Key allies involved in shareholder advocacy work include:
Look for Proxy Preview, published each spring, for the most comprehensive data on hundreds of shareholder resolutions—including environmental, corporate political spending, human rights, diversity, sustainable governance issues, and more.
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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Park + Coop |
Coming soon.
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Save Green and Go Green with Holiday Sales from Sustainable Shops |
As the air turns brisk and skies cloud over, winter fast approaches and with it, the holiday season. A time to be with loved ones and, depending on your love language, giving and receiving gifts. Whether you love shopping for gifts or can’t imagine anything worse, this list of holiday sales from sustainable shops will make everything easier with great gift ideas and green practices.
Save on everything from fair trade jewelry to plant-based skincare and organic home products.
Every sale recommended in this article comes from our certified Green Business Network members, which meet or exceed Green America’s standards for social and environmental responsibility.
Free $4800 Bed Frame with Purchase
Why is the Adriano bed frame the perfect match for your SAMINA Sleep System? The customizable bed frame is handcrafted from solid oak wood and responsibly sourced for guilt-free luxury.
- FREE Adriano King Bed Frame ($4,840) with purchase of New SAMINA Sleep System
15% Off Hot Therapy Pillows
Soothe your muscles with a Hot Cherry therapeutic pillow, a body pillow filled with cherry pits, which absorb heat.
- 15% off your entire order with code XMAS24 (thru 12/24/31)
25% Off Nontoxic Skin and Haircare
Take care of everything from your hair to your body and using nontoxic skin, face, and haircare. Max Green Alchemy creates their products using 100% natural origin and no synthetic chemicals, and free of everything from GMOs to Parabens.
25% off with code GREEN2 (thru February 2025)
Free Gift with $150 Orders
It’s important to keep your skin moisturized during the colder months and One Love Organics has products for your skin and body that are cruelty-free and an ECOCERT certification.
15% Off Tree Dedication Gifts
Planting native species in wildfire devastated National Forests and getting to watch your tree grow through photos and location maps is a very thoughtful gift from Trees For a Change.
- 15% off all Tree Dedication Gifts with code SMALLBIZ24 (thru 12/25/24)
Get Free Coffee and More
Velasquez Family Coffee has delicious, fairly traded Honduran coffee in flavors like Caribbean Hazelnut and Irish Cream.
- Get one (1) bag of coffee free when you add three (3) to your cart. Use code 2024HolidayB2G3 (thru 12/31/24)
- Get one (1) holiday flavored coffee, like Eggnog Creme, with code 2024HolidayB2G3
- Free shipping on your first mail order with code FREESHIP2024 (thru 12/31/24)
Get 10% Off Fair Trade Gifts
Ethical gifts are the best kind of gifts and fair trade business Fair Trade Winds offers everything from pillows to candles and hats to wreaths.
- 10% off your order with code GREEN10 (thru 1/1/25)
Get 30% Off Nontoxic Cleaning Products
From laundry to candles, luxuriate your home with the planet in mind. The Good Home Co. has detergents and stain removers, as well as sheet sprays.
- 30% off sitewide with code GREEN30 (11/28 - 12/15/24)
30% Off Ethical Jewelry
Find ethically made and sourced jewelry of all variations from WorldFinds to ensure you’re the coolest and greenest fashion icon.
- Get 30% off sitewide on orders over $50 with code GREEN30 (thru 12/31/24)
Up to $12 Off Clean Bodycare
Using the fewest possible ingredients, Be Green Bath + Body has gentle and thoroughly tested products for your hair, body, and skin.
- $5 off $50 with code GRHOL5 (thru 12/20/24)
- $12 off $100 with code GRHOL12 (thru 12/20/24)
15% Off African Woven Baskets
Directly imported from artisans in Bolgatanga, Ghana, these beautiful baskets come in a variety of styles, shapes and colors. Zuku Baskets proudly supports over 5,000 weavers and their families in Bolga.
- 15% off entire order with code basket15 (thru 12/31/24)
Happy holidays and happy sustainable shopping!
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“LEAKING HAVOC”: 50% OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA SUPERMARKETS SURVEYED FOUND EMITTING SUPER POLLUTANT GREENHOUSE GASES |
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 20, 2024 – The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Green America and YouthPower Climate Action released a new report, Leaking Havoc in Northern California, investigating leaks of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) used in refrigeration at major supermarkets in the Bay Area and Sacramento. The organizations visited Safeway, Kroger-owned Ralphs Grocery or Foods Co., the Save Mart Companies (including Lucky), Smart & Final, Walmart and detected leaks at half (50%) of the sites. Previous Leaking Havoc investigations conducted by EIA of stores in the Washington, DC area and New York City found similar leak rates.
Avipsa Mahapatra, Climate Campaign Director at EIA US, said: “Our investigations prove that dangerous, avoidable climate pollutants continue to seep unchecked from supermarkets. California has taken leadership action by creating a program to track and regulate these refrigerant emissions. However, there’s an urgent need for further investment in robust enforcement to stop these leaking super pollutants from undermining our climate goals and public health.”
Key report findings:
- HFC refrigerant leaks were detected in 50% of the 28 stores investigated.
- Save Mart Companies (including Lucky) had leaks in 75% of stores visited.
- Leaks were found in half of the Safeway, Smart & Final, and Walmart stores visited for each company.
- Albertsons – parent company of Safeway – and Save Mart have both settled with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) numerous times between 2015 and 2024 for violations of the state’s Refrigerant Management Program (RMP), with penalties totaling nearly $7 million.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is the state agency for climate change programs and air pollution control efforts to achieve health-based air-quality standards. The agency’s Refrigerant Management Program (RMP) began in 2009 to reduce emissions from large refrigeration systems, like those used in supermarkets. Under the RMP, companies are required to conduct regular leak inspections for refrigerant leaks and if found, repair within two weeks of detection.
Beth Porter, Senior Climate Policy Analyst at EIA US, said: “For too long, too many companies have accepted wasteful refrigerant leaks as part of the cost of doing business, but the climate and communities have been bearing the full cost of these emissions. We need supermarkets to set zero-leak tolerance policies and prioritize transitioning to widely available natural refrigerants.”
HFCs are a group of man-made greenhouse gases considered to be a “super climate pollutant” because they have thousands of times more global warming potential (GWP) than carbon dioxide (CO2). The average supermarket leaks 25% of its refrigerant each year. Across the 42,000 stores nationwide, EIA estimates U.S. supermarkets release the greenhouse gas equivalent of burning 65 billion pounds of coal every single year.
Dan Howell, Green America Climate Campaigns Director, said: “The Leaking Havoc report shows the supermarket industry needs to take urgent action to protect communities from the devastating effects we are already seeing across the county from climate change. Hurricanes, wildfires, and floods are just a few of the examples of disasters tearing communities down. Stopping leaks of HFCs and switching to safer refrigerants is a big step major supermarkets must take to mitigate climate change.”
Bella Goldwasser, of YouthPower Climate Action, said: “Reducing refrigerant emissions has always been a really exciting solution to Youthpower, because of how high impact the change would be. HFCs' staggering warming power, coupled with their shorter lifetime, mean they are an incredible way to reduce the heat trapped in our atmosphere quickly, which we need right now. More policymakers should have this important information, so we can establish more rigorous standards for detecting and preventing leaks. Collecting data about the harm related to leaks also helps to underscore the importance of transitioning to low-GWP natural refrigerants as soon as possible."
In September, the EPA finalized a new rule under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act that includes requirements for repairing leaking refrigeration equipment and installing automatic leak detection systems. According to the agency, “[the] rule will provide additional cumulative greenhouse gas emissions reductions of approximately 120 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, an incremental net benefit of at least $6.9 billion.”
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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, investors, and consumers to solve today’s social and environmental problems. http://www.GreenAmerica.org
Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) is an independent non-profit campaigning organization dedicated to identifying, investigating, and implementing solutions to protect endangered wildlife, forests, and the global climate. EIA Climate campaign works to eliminate powerful greenhouse gases and improve energy efficiency in the cooling sector, and expose related illicit trade to campaign for new policies, improved governance, and more effective enforcement. www.eia.org
YouthPower Climate Action is a youth-led grassroots organization based in Alameda, California that connects young people to real actions they can take to stop climate change. https://www.youthpowerclimateaction.org/
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Max Karlin, (703) 276-3255, or mkarlin@hastingsgroupmedia.com.
Denise Stilley, Head of Communications, EIA US, dstilley@eia-global.org.
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Demystifying Finance to Build a More Vibrant, Sustainable, and Just Economy: Green America |
This article was originally published in Nasdaq's Purpose in Action Newsletter on November 19, 2024
By Brittany Greene, Purpose Communications Specialist
In celebration of our partners and the great work they do to advance economic progress for all, we interviewed some of our Nasdaq Foundation quarterly grant recipients about their roles, backgrounds and the importance of their work. We spoke with Cathy Cowan Becker, Responsible Finance Campaign Director of Green America, on its mission to harnesses economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.
Tell us about Green America. What is its core mission?
Green America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to harness economic power— the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace— to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. We have five interrelated focus areas: Climate Action & Clean Energy, Regenerative Agriculture, Labor Justice, Green Living, and Responsible Finance. Through our Responsible Finance Program, we teach people across the country how their financial decisions can help create a more equitable and sustainable world.
Why is Green America’s mission so important?
Green America’s mission is unique in that it focuses on leveraging existing market forces to drive positive social and environmental change. Our programs mobilize people in their roles as consumers, investors, and business leaders to promote and advance solutions to climate change, food system vulnerabilities, labor abuses, and more. Our theory of change recognizes that consumer choices often drive market trends and our approach helps everyday Americans realize the individual and collective power they wield with their economic choices.
Can you talk to us about the Responsible Finance Program? What impact are you hoping the Nasdaq Foundation’s Quarterly Grant will have on the program’s success?
Our Responsible Finance program teaches people about how they can use their financial choices (e.g. banking, credit cards, insurance, and investing) to benefit their communities. Each year, we educate hundreds of thousands of people through free articles, blog posts, informational webinars, external media coverage, accessible how-to guides, videos, and social media posts.
We think all people – especially Millennials and members of Gen Z – need to know that their financial choices can not only benefit them, but also build more vibrant communities and meet the needs of future generations. Though Green America has been educating audiences about banking and investing for decades, it is important that we refine our messaging to fit the current context and address the challenges faced by younger generations.
Support from the Nasdaq Foundation is providing Green America with the capacity to do just that! Together, we are working to demystify banking, credit cards, insurance and investing as well as helping people identify the financial options that best serve their needs. Specifically, the Nasdaq Foundation is supporting Green America in hosting free educational webinars, promoting our individual investing course, and creating two new microsites. One such site an Investing 101 microsite that will break down barriers to investing by explaining basic terminology and spelling out the role investing can play in creating a more socially just and sustainable economy.
This microsite will be complete and available to the public in January 2025 – stay tuned!
Can you share one or two stories that illustrate the impact of Green America?
Green America has resources that help businesses green their finances. The CEO of Yaya Maria, Andy Mebert, spoke with us about the company’s decision to bank with a local credit union that supports working people in the company’s community rather than investing in global financial markets. You can read more about our audience members’ reasons for and experiences with switching banks at https://www.greenamerica.org/we-switched-banks.
This year, we also launched our Regenerative Finance Hub. This Hub helps farmers who are adopting soil regeneration practices apply for grants to cover some costs related to transitioning to regenerative farming. In its first six months, our Hub helped farmers access $425,000 in grants for invisible fencing to initiate rotational grazing, for a small processing plant that will pay regenerative farmers a premium for their products, and more! Already, we have already helped transitioning farmers across the country apply for over $1 million in grants!
Another tool we launched this year is our Climate Smart Insurance Directory. Much like our Better Banking Map that features community development banks and credit unions, our insurance directory features local and regional insurance companies. Many of these companies have been in business in their communities for decades. And several people who have switched their policies to the insurance companies we feature have told us they are saving hundreds of dollars per year for the same coverage they were receiving from their previous provider(s)!
What do you envision for the future of the Responsible Finance Program?
Green America is currently revamping our Responsible Finance webpages to better promote our resources about banking, credit cards, insurance, and investing – with the goal of educating readers of all backgrounds, providing actionable resources, and motivating people to take action to align their finances with their values. The two major resources made possible by the Nasdaq Foundation – our upgraded Better Banking map and Investing 101 microsites – will round out our depository of tools that support people in using their financial choices to invest in their communities and build a more sustainable and equitable world.
Our next priority is getting Green America’s resources in front of more people! One tactic we have developed (in partnership with GreenFaith and Third Act) is a responsible finance curriculum for regional cohorts of individuals and organizations seeking to “green” their finances. The cohort model will encourage peer-to-peer learning and accountability as well as expand how Green America delivers and tailors our content. The first cohort in Olympia, Washington, will launch this fall!
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Demystifying Finance to Build a More Vibrant, Sustainable, and Just Economy: Green America |
We spoke with Cathy Cowan Becker, Responsible Finance Campaign Director of Green America, on its mission to harnesses economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.
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Find Financial Advice |
If you have a retirement plan or college savings plan, you are an investor. If you own stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds, you are an investor. Even your bank account can be considered a form of investing.
Conventional investing can be complicated, and socially responsible investing can add another layer on top. It can be confusing, but you don’t have to go it alone. You can find a financial advisor.
In our Fossil Free Products and Services, Green America lists two types of financial advisors who specialize in socially responsible investing:
- Asset Management Firms can help higher-net-worth individuals and institutional investors such as a house of worship, university, or pension plan with responsible investing.
While you can learn a lot from educational materials and resources such as those on the Green America website, consulting with a financial planner knowledgeable about responsible investing can help you confirm you are on the right path with your investments, both financially and socially.
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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Attacks on Responsible Investing |
While socially responsible investing has its roots in moral, spiritual, and religious concerns, it has now evolved into the mainstream of investing.
As of 2022, responsible investing accounts for more than $8.4 trillion, or 1 in 8 dollars under management, according to the US Sustainable Investment Forum.
Source: US Sustainable Investment Forum
Responsible investing is closely related to ESG investing, or investing that takes environment, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors into account.
- Environmental factors look at how well a company manages its environmental impact and addresses environmental problems in areas such as air, water, climate, pollution, agriculture, water, and animal welfare.
- Social factors look at how well a company treats all its stakeholders, including its diversity and equity practices, workplace conditions, community relations, and human rights.
- Governance factors look at how corporate power is checked and shared through such venues as political contributions, executive compensation, board diversity, board independence, transparency and disclosure.
Returns from ESG investing are as good or better than conventional investing -- because ESG investing takes additional information into account that can increase profit and lessen risk.
Why is ESG investing under attack?
Responsible investing is under attack for one simple reason: It has become so popular that it threatens certain profitable industries that are harming people and planet.
Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, Brian Schatz and Martin Heinrich explain why this is happening now:
“The underlying problem is that the fossil fuel industry is running up against a 'risk wall,' where long-established economic risks associated with climate change are now sufficiently clear and present to trigger ordinary risk-reporting requirements in financial markets. Rather than reduce their emissions, or face up to the risks that they cause, the fossil fuel industry is trying to break and remake traditional risk reporting to selectively remove reporting of climate-related risks.”
“The underlying problem is that the fossil fuel industry is running up against a 'risk wall,' where long-established economic risks associated with climate change are now sufficiently clear and present to trigger ordinary risk-reporting requirements in financial markets. Rather than reduce their emissions, or face up to the risks that they cause, the fossil fuel industry is trying to break and remake traditional risk reporting to selectively remove reporting of climate-related risks.”
-- Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, Brian Schatz and Martin Heinrich
Unfortunately, the attacks on ESG and responsible investing emanate from a well-funded and coordinated campaign.
The funding starts with the largest known political contribution in US history -- $1.6 billion from Chicago electronics magnate Barre Seid to Leonard Leo -- the same Leonard Leo who funneled millions of dollars through various front groups to remake the Supreme Court in his far-right image.
Leo's front groups still exist, though they have changed names -- Judicial Crisis Network is now Concord Fund and Judicial Education Project is now 85 Fund. Leo also started new groups such as Marble Freedom Trust, CRC Advisors, and Consumers Research -- all with undisclosed funding to wage culture wars across the country.
Leo's groups are joined by numerous right-wing think tanks long at the center of climate denial -- such as the Heritage Foundation, American Legislative Exchange Council, Heartland Institute, and Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Also in the mix are state-based groups such as the State Financial Officers Foundation and the Republican Attorneys General Association.
For a fuller accounting of the anti-ESG network, see "Attacks on sustainable investing are third stage of climate denial -- here's how to fight back"
What do the attacks on ESG consist of?
The coordinated campaign against ESG and responsible investing has taken place at both the federal and state levels.
Federal level
In March 2023, both houses of Congress narrowly passed a resolution to repeal the Department of Labor's Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights rule. The rule allowed -– but did not compel -– retirement plan fiduciaries to take environmental, social, and corporate governance considerations into account in their investment decisions.
President Biden had vowed to veto the resolution, and did veto it shortly after it passed. Since then, although some members of Congress have threatened to pass resolutions to repeal other administrative rules that allow responsible investing, that has not happened again.
Instead, Republican-led House committees have held multiple anti-ESG hearings, with witnesses that include prominent climate deniers, and they have subpoenaed numerous businesses and nonprofits that specialize in sustainable investing.
In response, Green America and five allied organizations issued a petition to Protect Climate Action and Shareholder Rights that received over 21,000 signatures. Andrew Behar, CEO of As You Sow, one of the subpoenaed organizations, presented the petition in meetings with members of Congress.
In September 2024, the Republican-led House passed a pair of bills targeting ESG investing. These two bills rolled together eight previous bills that among other things would:
- Require disclosure only on “material” factors and allow companies to decide what is material.
- Create an “advisory committee” for the SEC made up of corporate executives but not shareholders.
- Allow corporations sole discretion on whether to include a shareholder resolution on their proxy ballots.
- Require banking regulators to submit extensive reports to Congress, including any interaction with an NGO on climate-related risk.
- Require retirement plans to differentiate between “pecuniary” and “non-pecuniary” factors, which legal experts say is impossible.
While these bills are unlikely to pass the Senate and then would face another likely Biden veto, they demonstrate the anti-ESG agenda to attack all aspects of responsible investing, including disclosure requirements, shareholder advocacy, banking regulations, and retirement plans.
--> Want to push back? Tell your House representative to join the Sustainable Investment Caucus.
State level
Most anti-ESG attacks have been happening on the state level. In 2023, Republican legislators in 38 states introduced 165 bills and resolutions to ban state pension and contract managers from making responsible investment decisions that take ESG factors into account, according to Pleiades Strategy, which tracks state anti-ESG legislation.
State officials issued a further 44 executive actions targeting ESG investing. Overall, 31 laws and resolutions passed in 2023.
Those anti-ESG laws and bills came with a hefty price tag.
- The Kansas State Division of the Budget projected reduced returns of $3.6 billion over 10 years for the Kansas Public Retirement System if anti-ESG investment restrictions were adopted.
- The Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System estimated they could lose $30-40 million each year due to an anti-ESG bill requiring public divestiture from institutions using ESG-related metrics.
- An economic analysis found that anti-ESG bills in six states — Kentucky, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Missouri — could cost taxpayers up to $700 million in excess interest payments.
In part for that reason, many fewer state ESG bills passed in 2024. Of the 161 bills and resolutions introduced in 2024, only six passed, according to Pleiades Strategy.
Has the anti-ESG train slowed down? For now, perhaps -- but that is because everyday investors, local bankers, local insurance, state retirement plan officers, city administrators and more stepped up to testify in their states against these attacks.
Unfortunately, anti-ESG groups still have a lot of money -- and they will keep up the attacks. Recently their targets have shifted from the E part of ESG investing -- addressing the environment -- so the S part -- the social aspect. Attacks on corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion are rampant.
How to counter attacks on responsible investing
Fortunately, each of us has many options for fighting back against attacks on responsible investing.
By aligning our money with our values, we have the power to divest our own finances from the institutions that harm people and planet, and reinvest in mission-driven institutions that build a more sustainable and equitable world.
Here's what you can do
- If your credit card is with one of the large banks that funds fossil fuels, check out our Credit Card Guide for how to find a responsible card.
- Finally, to hold yourself accountable, you can take our pledge to move your money or form a cohort to go through our Align Your Money with Your Values curriculum together.
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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Community and Impact Investing |
Community investing directs capital to communities and people underserved by conventional financial institutions. It helps lift these communities economically through financing projects such as:
- Access to healthy food, education, or childcare
- Start-up funds for small business
Community investors may also seek to build sustainable neighborhoods through initiatives such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, parks and green space, recycling and composting, bike lanes and sidewalks, public transit, and transit-oriented development.
Community investing helps people and communities who are under-resourced due to systemic inequity begin to build generational wealth. It provides people and organizations with tools to improve the quality of life for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Options for Community Investing
Community investing can be done by both institutional and individual investors. Institutional investors and high-net worth investors have a few more options, but individual investors have plenty of options in two categories: cash-equivalents and fixed-income, or investments that pay a set level rate of return.
Community Development Banks and Credit Unions
If you have money at a community development bank or credit union, then you are a community investor. The mission of these banks and credit unions is to invest in their communities.
When you open a checking or savings account, certificate of deposit, or money market account with a community development bank or credit union, you are helping them support projects that build healthy communities – and your accounts are federally insured up to $250,000.
An example is Hope Credit Union’s Transformational Deposit, used to build financial health for families across the deep South through homeownership, entrepreneurship, education, health, climate resiliency, and more in one of the nation’s most economically distressed regions.
You can find a community development bank or credit union in your area on Green America’s Get A Better Bank map. Other resources include:
- Inclusiv, an organization of community development credit unions
Community Development Loan Funds (CDLFs)
Community development loan funds are a special type of CDFI that provides low-cost financing to businesses, organizations, and individuals in underserved communities. When you invest in a CDLF, you may be helping a developer build affordable housing or helping a first-time entrepreneur start a local business.
Investments in CDLFs usually start at $1,000. Interest rates are at or below market, and your money may be tied up for one to three years. These loan funds are not federally insured, but they use grant money and loss reserves to help protect individual investors.
You can find a CDLF in your area from Opportunity Finance Network’s CDFI Locator – search for Loan Fund and the area served.
Impact Notes
Besides federally designated CDFI loan funds, other organizations also offer pooled funds that support community development. One of the oldest is Calvert Impact’s Community Investment Note, which allows investors to start with as little as $20, with returns of 3.5% to 5%.
Since its inception in 1995, the Community Investment Note has raised over $2.6 billion from 20,000 investors to fund small business, renewable energy, affordable housing, sustainable agriculture and more. In 2023, Calvert Impact introduced the Cut Carbon Note to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy in commercial buildings, with the goal of measurably reducing carbon emissions.
Other examples of pooled funds include:
- CNote’s Flagship Fund, which works through CDFIs to support small business, affordable housing, and sustainable growth. 4% return, no minimum investment, 30-month term.
- Capital Impact Investment Notes, which has invested $3.2 billion in community health centers, charter schools, healthy food retailers, and affordable housing developers nationwide. $1,000 minimum, fixed interest rates, terms up to 20 years.
Green Bonds and Notes
A bond is issued by a government, company, or bank to raise money for specific projects. By purchasing a bond, the investor is essentially lending money to the issuer, which will pay back the principal with interest over a set period of time.
Green bonds are a subset of bonds used to finance environmental and sustainability projects such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, recycling, clean public transit, or parks, trees, and green space.
The World Bank issued the first green bond in 2008; by 2023, it had issued $42.2 billion in green bonds. Total green bonds sales reached $575 billion in 2023. The Green Bond Principles were established in 2014 to guide how green bonds can be spent, the process for selection, management of proceeds, and reporting requirements. The Climate Bonds Initiative has standards for certifying green bonds.
An example of a green bond available to individual investors is the Connecticut Green Bank’s Green Liberty Bonds and Notes. While Green Liberty Bonds must be purchased through a participating brokerage firm, the bank has held 11 offerings of Green Liberty Notes, which can be purchased for as little as $100 – essentially crowdfunding clean energy and energy efficiency investments.
Community Investing is Popular!
Community investing has grown exponentially over the past decade, according to the US Sustainable Investment Forum 2022 Trends Report. Total community development assets have risen from $64.3 billion in 2014 to $457.9 billion in 2022, a growth rate of over 700%.
The number of community development financial institutions rose from 880 in 2014 to 1359 in 2022, led by the addition of 332 new community development credit unions nationwide.
Source: US Sustainable Investment Forum 2022 Trends Report
Impact Investing
Community investing can be thought of as a type of impact investing. According to the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), impact investments are “investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and/or environmental impact alongside a financial return.”
Impact investing is defined by four elements:
- Intentionality. The investor’s intention is to have a positive social and environmental impact.
- Investment with return expectations. Impact investments are expected to generate a financial return on capital.
- Range of return expectations and asset classes. Impact investments financial returns range from below market to market rate, and investments can be made across asset classes.
- Impact measurement. A hallmark of impact investing is the commitment to measure and report social and environmental performance, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Impact investing can be done anywhere, but it is often thought of as investing in developing countries. It is often measured through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of addressing poverty, hunger, public health, education, gender equality, clean water, clean energy, and more.
An example of international impact investing is Shared Interest, founded in 1994 as an investment vehicle to reverse apartheid’s legacy of race-based economic inequality in South Africa. Shared Interest has catalyzed $131 million in lending through South African banks to almost 2.3 million Black entrepreneurs, farmers, and microfinance institutions. Investments start at $3000.
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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Mutual Funds and ETFs |
Pooled investment funds
While 21% of American families have direct ownership of individual stock, 58% have some exposure to the stock market, according to the Federal Reserve’s 2023 Survey of Consumer Finances.
Most of this additional participation in the stock market is through pooled investment funds such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, usually through a retirement plan.
A pooled fund invests money from a lot of different people into stock from an entire portfolio of companies. Both mutual funds and ETFs are pooled investments managed by a professional fund manager who determines the mix of investments, which can also include bonds and other asset types.
By diversifying holdings into dozens, if not hundreds, of stocks, bonds, and other assets, mutual funds and ETFs reduce volatility and risk. The trade-off is the individual investor does not directly control what the fund invests in, as the fund is managed by a financial professional who makes these decisions.
Mutual funds and ETFs: What’s the difference?
The main difference between mutual funds and ETFs is how they are traded.
- Mutual funds can only be purchased at the end of each trading day based on the net asset value calculated from the closing market price of all the assets in the fund.
- ETFs can be traded throughout the trading day, similarly to individual stock.
Mutual funds have a long track record – the first U.S. mutual fund from Massachusetts Investors Trust launched in 1924. ETFs are much younger. The first ETF was the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust in 1993.
Mutual funds tend to be actively managed by a professional who makes investment decisions – and charges a fee for the service. ETFs are often passively managed index funds with much lower fees. However, recent years have seen more passively managed mutual funds and actively managed ETFs.
According to the Investment Company Institute’s 2023 Fact Book, 125 million Americans owned 8,763 mutual funds worth a total of $22.1 trillion and 2,989 ETFs worth $6.5 trillion – accounting for 48% of the world’s regulated funds.
Evaluating mutual funds and ETFs
As with company stock, the first step to evaluating mutual funds and ETFs is to know what you own, most likely through a retirement plan, college savings plan, or brokerage account.
Make sure you know how to log into any accounts you have that invest in mutual funds or ETFs, so you can create an inventory of which funds you hold. Then you can start researching these funds to see what they are invested in, as well as researching your plans to see what other funds are available.
Read the prospectus
Every fund has a prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that provides material information about the investment. Think of it as a “mission statement” for what the fund is investing in and why – including details about investment objectives, strategies, performance, fees, and risks.
The prospectus will include information about any socially responsible or ESG investing strategies that fund managers are using, if the fund is designed to be part of responsible investing.
The prospectus helps investors make informed decisions about whether to invest in a particular fund. It is important to read the prospectus of any fund before investing in it. If you cannot find the prospectus for a fund online, call your retirement fund manager or brokerage account manager.
Check fund ratings
Multiple organizations rate mutual funds and ETFs based on various criteria including sustainability. In the past you had to pay for most of these services, but now many of them are free.
Here are three free fund ratings tools we recommend.
As You Sow’s Invest Your Values
As You Sow’s Invest Your Values is a free online tool that analyzes the impact of thousands of US mutual funds, ETFs and 401(k) plans. You can look up almost any mutual fund or ETF by name, ticker, or fund manager to find its holdings and how it rates in seven issue areas:
Each issue area scores funds on different criteria; for example, Fossil Free Funds rates funds based on whether they hold any coal, oil, or gas, have a sustainability mandate, and invest in banks or insurance companies that fund fossil fuels. You can also find information about the fund performance.
Each issue area also lets you search for a list of top scoring funds, or a list of funds by fund manager such as Vanguard, TIAA, or Calvert. As You Sow also has retirement plan ratings for large companies.
Screenshot of top-rated mutual funds from As You Sow’s Fossil Free Funds
Natural Investments’ Heart Rating
Green America is pleased to partner with our Green Business Network member Natural Investments PBLLC, a leader in environmentally and socially responsible investing, to bring you the mutual fund Heart Rating.
The Heart Rating launched in 1992 as the first fund rating system that compares the breadth and depth of the environmental, social and governance criteria (ESG) used by fund managers to select the holdings. The rating looks at a fund’s research process, screening criteria, shareholder advocacy efforts, and cash investments in communities, particularly communities of color.
Screenshot of Natural Investments’ Heart Rating site
US SIF’s Sustainable Investment Mutual Funds and ETFs Chart
This chart displays all sustainable investment mutual funds and ETFs offered by US SIF's institutional member firms. This tool is meant for individual investors to compare cost, financial performance, screening and advocacy, and proxy voting records of competing funds. All listed funds are open to new investors. Financial performance data is provided by Bloomberg LP.
Screenshot of US SIF’s chart of sustainable mutual funds and ETFs
Want to use your dollars to invest for impact in your own community? Learn about community and impact 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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Company Stock |
What is stock?
Stock, issued in units called shares, represents ownership of a piece of the issuing corporation. Corporations issue stock to raise money for their business operations during their initial public offering (IPO). Stock can then be bought and sold on a market such as the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations).
Stock can generate a return (i.e. make money) for its owners in two ways:
- If the price of the stock goes up after you buy it, and you sell it for more than you paid.
- Through dividends, or payments to shareholders. Not all stocks pay dividends.
Over the last century, the stock market’s average rate of return is 10%. However, that average is for the entire market over time. Individual stocks can lose money, and corporations can go out of business. In addition, the return on the entire stock market can fluctuate. Market crashes are well documented; however, over time the market has regained and surpassed lost value.
Types of stock
Most individual investors own common stock, which entitles them to receive any dividends and vote on shareholder resolutions at the corporation’s annual general meeting. If you own stock in a company, we urge you to vote your shares. Find more information in Shareholder Advocacy.
Many institutional investors own preferred stock, which does not bestow voting rights, but is less volatile and provides a higher claim for dividends and any payouts if the company goes bankrupt. Institutional investors are organizations such as congregations, universities, or pension funds.
Stock can also be classified by market capitalization, which represents the total value of all company shares across the market. Large-cap corporations have more shares on the market, and their shares tend to sell at higher prices than shares for small-cap or mid-cap companies.
These classifications break down as follows:
Company size | Market capitalization | Large-cap corporation | $10 billion or more | Mid-cap corporation | $2 billion to $10 billion | Small-cap corporation | $250 million to $2 billion |
Large-cap corporations are mature companies -- household names like Apple, Amazon, or Walmart. Their stocks are less volatile but also subject to less growth. Small-cap and mid-cap stocks are more affordable and have more room for growth, but can also be more volatile.
Fractional shares
Fractional shares are parts of a single share in company stock – for example, half a share in Tesla. They typically occur as a result of stock splits, dividend reinvestments, or company mergers and acquisitions.
Fractional shares can help ordinary investors build a more diverse portfolio at a more affordable price. Some blue-chip stocks can cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars per share; for example, as of this writing:
- A share in Coca-Cola costs $1,252.09
- A share in Costco costs $890.58
- A share in Microsoft costs $428.04
Fractional shares allow you to buy the amount of stock you can afford, whether it’s $5 or $500 worth of stock in a high-priced company. This lets you easily diversify your stock portfolio.
The main disadvantage of fractional shares is you can’t buy or sell them directly yourself – you need to go to a brokerage. This means they are difficult to transfer if you switch to a new broker. They also may not be available for all company stocks and do not typically include shareholder voting rights.
Evaluating company stock
Owning stock means you own a piece of that company – so deciding which companies you want to own shares in requires researching these companies.
Socially responsible investing or ESG investing can help. Responsible investing looks at both traditional considerations such as the company’s financial performance and additional data about the company’s environmental, social, and corporate governance practices.
In the past, information about a company’s ESG record was hard to find or cost money to access. Now there are many free resources.
Know what you own
The first step to evaluating company stock is to inventory any individual stocks you currently own through a retirement or brokerage account.
Once you know what you own, you can start researching these companies to decide if you want to keep their stock or find other companies you would like to invest in instead.
A good place to start is the company’s website. Check to see if the company has published:
- An ESG policies and performance report
- A report on diversity, equal pay, or worker safety and benefits
Keep in mind the company will be putting its best foot forward in these reports. Check for policies, projects, and statistics to back up their claims.
Financial performance
You can find information about the financial performance of the companies you own stock in from several sources:
Independent ratings and reports
Besides the company’s own reports, you can also find reports by independent organizations such as media outlets or nonprofits that rank companies on almost any basis imaginable.
Going back to your ESG wheel, search online for a report or ratings system for companies based on the issues most important to you.
Here are some examples of company ratings and reports for various issues:
Understanding how companies perform on the environmental, social, and corporate governance factors that matter to you will help you identify companies to invest in that align with your values.
Stock isn’t the only place you can practice responsible investing. Most people invest through mutual funds or exchange-traded funds. Learn how to find and evaluate mutual funds and ETFs
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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Types of Responsible Investing |
In life there are many types of investing. You might invest your time by volunteering for a cause in your community. You might invest your energy by working out to increase your health.
In the world of finance, investing usually refers to the process of using your money to purchase assets that will increase in value to generate a profit, income, or gains.
Just as with conventional investing, for responsible investing you can choose between several types of investments, often referred to as asset classes. An asset class is a group of financial instruments that have similar characteristics and behave the same way in the marketplace.
The asset classes used most often in responsible investing are:
- Stock or shares in a company, also called equities
- Mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which hold stock or shares in multiple companies
- Fixed-income securities, which usually mean bonds or notes
- Cash or cash-equivalents, such as a savings account or money market fund
Other asset classes not typically part of sustainable investing include commodities such as metals, energy, or agricultural goods; real estate; futures and derivatives; infrastructure; foreign currency; and cryptocurrency.
Click on the boxes below to find an explanation of each asset class commonly used in responsible investing, along with resources for evaluating your options within each type of investment:
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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Performance & Popularity |
A common misperception about responsible investing is that it results in lower returns. Not true!
Years of research studies show that responsible investing generates returns as good or better than conventional investing, especially over the long term.
For example:
- Morningstar’s 2022 Sustainable Funds US Landscape Report found that “In 2021, most sustainable funds delivered stronger total and risk-adjusted returns ... than their respective Morningstar Category indexes.”
- Morgan Stanley’s Institute for Sustainable Investing study analyzed 3,000+ US mutual funds and ETFs, finding that sustainable equity funds outperformed non-ESG funds by a median of 4.3 percent in 2020.
- NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business conducted a meta-analysis of 1000+ studies from 2015-2020: "59% showed similar or better performance for ESG funds relative to conventional investment approaches while only 14% found negative results.”
To see the actual performance of sustainable investing, look no further than the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index, the very first socially responsible index fund launched by Amy Domini in 1990.
Source: Green Money Journal
The KLD 400 Social Index has consistently outperformed the general index of large and mid-cap US stocks for more than 30 years – showing returns better than the market rate, especially over time.
Learn more about financial performance with sustainable investing from US SIF.
Responsible Investing is Popular!
Responsible investing has rapidly increased over the past three decades and is more popular than ever. According to the most recent US Sustainable Investment Forum Trends Report, sustainable investing accounted for $8.4 trillion in 2022 – or 1 in 8 dollars under management.
Source: US Sustainable Investment Forum
The outlook for responsible investing is strong. The Morgan Stanley Sustainable Signals 2024 report found that 84% of individual investors in the United States and 77% globally are interested in sustainable investing, with almost half in the United States saying they are very interested. Young people especially care about sustainable investing as a way to shape the world they will inherit.
Source: 2024 Morgan Stanley Sustainable Signals: Understanding Individual Investors’ Interests and Priorities
Ready to get started with responsible investing? Learn about responsible investing in stocks, mutual funds, community notes, and more.
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 Responsible Investing Works |
The terms responsible investing and socially responsible investing are comparable to terms such as sustainable investing, values investing, and ESG investing, or investing that takes environment, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors into account.
Responsible investing can generally be thought of as using your investments to boost companies that make a positive impact on society and do not have negative business practices.
ESG investing can be seen as more numbers oriented, using metrics such as risk analysis based on ESG factors, along with traditional measures such as financial performance, to inform investment decisions.
Understanding ESG Investing
Investing that considers environment, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors can span a wide range of issues. Broadly speaking:
- Environmental factors look at how well a company manages its environmental impact and addresses environmental problems in areas such as air, water, climate, pollution, agriculture, water, and animal welfare.
- Social factors look at how well a company treats all its stakeholders, including its diversity and equity practices, workplace conditions, community relations, and human rights.
- Governance factors look at how corporate power is checked and shared through such venues as political contributions, executive compensation, board diversity, board independence, transparency and disclosure.
You can see examples of ESG criteria in this ESG wheel from the US Sustainable Investment Forum. This is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other issues of importance to you.
Source: US Sustainable Investment Forum
While a company may excel in some areas, it may lag in others. Few companies do well in all areas. Knowing which ESG issues are most important to you will help guide your investment decisions.
This questionnaire from US SIF can help you identify your investment priorities.
How is ESG Investing Practiced?
Although socially responsible investing began as a way to exclude certain companies or industries from your investment portfolio, it has grown to also include companies and industries with strong policies and practices on sustainability and equity. This is known as screening.
- You can screen out companies with poor ESG track records or whose business model does not align with your values. Examples include fossil fuel companies, weapons manufacturers, tobacco and alcohol, private prisons, or industrial agriculture.
- You can also screen in companies whose products, policies, or practices help build a more sustainable and equitable world. This can be done by using ESG factors to benchmark corporations and identify best in class, or by using ESG to evaluate risk and return.
Screening out and screening in are sometimes referred to as divest and invest -- moving your money away from doing harm and toward doing good.
Additional resources
Is responsible investing as good as regular investing? The answer is Yes! Learn more about responsible investing’s performance and popularity.
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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Evolution of Responsible Investing |
Socially responsible investing in the United States dates back to the 18th century when Methodists resisted investments in companies involved with the slave trade, smuggling, liquor, tobacco, or gambling. Later the Quakers forbade investments in slavery and war, and by 1928, the first socially responsible fund called the Pioneer Fund had similar restrictions.
By the 1960s, Vietnam War protesters demanded that university endowments divest from defense contractors, and in the 1980s, a broad movement developed to demand divestment from companies doing business with the apartheid regime in South Africa. Due in part to this movement, apartheid was officially abolished in 1991 and Nelson Mandela was elected president in 1994.
In 1990, Amy Domini launched the first socially responsible index fund, the Domini 400 Social Index, now called the MSCI KLD 400. Today there are literally thousands of socially responsible mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, as well as opportunities for community and impact investing.
In 2004, the term ESG first made an appearance in a United Nations Global Compact report called "Who Cares Wins." The report, endorsed by 23 financial institutions, explained how capital market stakeholders could integrate environmental, social, and governance factors into investment decisions.
Responsible investing now encompasses stocks, mutual funds and ETFs, community and impact investing, and more. Sustainable investing performs as well or better than conventional investing, and has grown to $8.4 trillion, or 1 in 8 dollars under management.
Read more about the history of ESG here. Read more about the history of impact investing here.
How does responsible investing work in practice? Learn about ESG investing, screening, and more.
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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Responsible Investing Overview |
Responsible investing is a lot like conventional investing. You need to know things like:
What are your investment goals? Examples include a retirement plan or college savings plan – and for most Americans, these plans represent the largest investments of their lives.
How much can you afford to invest each month? Even a small amount invested regularly adds up to big money. Why? Because you are investing in a market with an average return of 10% each year. That means just $25 invested each month for 30 years could turn into almost $50,000!
What is your risk tolerance? Some years are great for your investments, and some are terrible – but history shows that even after big dips, the market has recovered and grown. How much can you stand to lose in a year? This may change as you get closer to retirement.
Responsible investing takes all these considerations into account but overlays another set of information: environment, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors.
The purpose is to both generate long-term positive financial returns and create positive social impact.
Responsible investing can be done for all investment types, such as:
- Mutual Funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
- Loan Funds and Retail Notes
Click on the boxes below to learn more about responsible 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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Socially Responsible Investing |
Socially responsible investing goes by many names: sustainable investing, ESG investing, impact investing and more. Whatever it’s called, responsible investing helps you use your investments – including your retirement and college savings plans – to build a better world.
Responsible investing is different from responsible banking, credit cards, and insurance. For the latter three, once your money leaves your hands -- whether by opening a bank account, generating a transaction fee, or purchasing a policy -- it is no longer under your control. Someone else can use that money as they see fit without even consulting you. Your job, then, is to find a responsible bank, credit card issuer, or insurance carrier who will use your money in a way that aligns with your values.
With investing, YOU are in charge of what happens to your money. Even if you have a financial advisor, YOU decide which companies, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds, to invest in, or other investments to make. We want to equip you with the information needed to make these decisions.
Many people don’t think of themselves as investors, but they are. For example, if you have a employer-sponsored 401(k) plan, you are an investor – and you can choose which funds to invest in from the range of funds included in the plan. Even a certificate of deposit can be thought of as an investment.
Learn more about responsible investing by clicking on the boxes below.

Retirement & College Funds (Coming Soon)

Racial Justice Investing (Coming Soon)
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 Switch to Responsible Insurance |
Even as the nation’s largest insurance companies – household names like Liberty Mutual, State Farm, or GEICO – are canceling or limiting policies in climate-vulnerable areas while raising rates, they are also supporting the chief cause of the climate crisis by insuring and investing in fossil fuels.
Fortunately, it is possible to find alternatives to the largest US insurance companies. Green America's Climate Smart Insurance Directory has suggestions for insurance companies in every state that do not insure major fossil fuel projects and are not major investors in fossil fuel companies.
Most companies in the Green America directory are regional mutual insurance companies – showing once again that the best option for responsible business is to shop in your local area. Our directory identifies options in every state for responsible home, renters, and car insurance companies.
Shopping for Insurance
Once you have some company names from our Climate Smart Insurance Directory, call three independent insurance agents in your area and ask them to quote costs and coverage for policies at those or other regional mutual insurance companies. Different agents work with different companies, so talking to more than one agent 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 on your premium for the same coverage. Many have been in business for decades, some for over a century. Examples of responsible regional mutuals include American Family Insurance based in Wisconsin, Grange Insurance based in Ohio, and Utica Mutual Insurance based in New York.
You can also call these companies directly yourself. Be sure to ask about a company’s holdings and policies before purchasing an insurance plan.
Next: Socially Responsible Investing
With banking, credit cards, and insurance, we give our money to someone else who can then use it as they see fit. Our job is to identify responsible players who will use our money in a way that aligns with our values. Investing is different: Whether you are buying stocks or setting aside money for retirement, you are in charge of how your money is used. Learn how you can use socially responsible investing to build a more sustainable and equitable world.
Back to Insurance Main Page
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Climate Smart Insurance Directory |
You don’t need to purchase insurance from companies that are supporting fossil fuels. Find responsible insurers that offer policies where you live.
State-By-State Directory
Green America’s Climate Smart Insurance Directory provides alternatives to the mega-insurance companies that are underwriting and investing in fossil fuels.
How it Works
For each state, we list insurance companies that:
- Have both home and auto insurance (with very few exceptions), so you can save by bundling the two together. Note: Most companies offering homeowners insurance also offer renter's insurance.
- Do not insure fossil fuel projects that we know of (this information is not always available).
- Have no indication of direct investments in the fossil fuel industry (Grade A), have investments under $200 million (Grade B), or investments under $500 million (Grade C), as listed in the Investing in Climate Chaos database by Urgewald, a German environmental and human rights NGO.
- Have a rating of A- or above for financial stability from AM Best.
This directory is an evolving list. If you find a great insurance company that does not insure fossil fuel projects and has little to no fossil fuel investments, and it's not in our directory, please let us know!
Endorsements
The Climate Smart Insurance Directory is endorsed by the following organizations:
Credits
Thank you to our insurance directory researcher Mike Moore, who combed through insurance company finances and reports to put together the data in this directory. Thank you to Michael Richardson of Rivers and Mountains GreenFaith, which provided half of the funding. Thanks to Alec Badalov on the Green America communications staff who created this page. And thanks to Todd Larsen and Cathy Cowan Becker, who oversaw this project. This directory would not be possible without all of you.
Ready to move to a responsible insurance company? Learn how to make the switch.
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Insurance on the Front Lines |
In 2023, the United States experienced a record number of weather- and climate-related disasters that each caused $1 billion or more in damages: 28 severe storms, floods, wildfires, winter storms, hurricanes, and droughts, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The insurance industry stands on the front lines of this crisis. Every time a climate-related fire, flood, or storm damages or destroys a home or business, the policy holder expects their insurance company to help foot the bill for repairs and rebuilding. Unfortunately, as climate events become more common, major insurance companies have begun to cancel or restrict coverage in climate-vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, insurance prices are rising for everyone, whether or not they live in an area with heightened climate risk. Homeowners insurance premiums are now up 21% from a year ago and 35% from two years ago nationwide, according to the 2023 Policygenius Home Insurance Pricing report.
Shockingly, despite clearly increased climate risks, the largest US insurance companies continue to support the chief cause of the climate crisis – the burning of fossil fuels – in two ways:
- By insuring fossil fuel projects
- By investing billions of dollars in fossil fuel companies.
Insuring Fossil Fuel Projects
Without insurance, fossil fuel companies cannot get loans or investments for their notoriously risky projects. This makes insurance the “Achilles heel” of fossil fuel projects.
While most of the large US insurance companies have set restrictions on underwriting coal, almost none have restricted underwriting conventional oil and gas projects according to Insure Our Future, a campaign of environmental, consumer, and grassroots organizations that holds the insurance industry accountable for its role in the climate crisis.
Three of the top eight US insurance companies — including Berkshire Hathaway, which owns GEICO and AM Guard insurance — maintain no policies whatsoever to limit underwriting and investment in fossil fuel projects, whether coal or oil and gas.
Berkshire Hathaway is especially notable: It fully owns 11 coal plants, partially owns 13 more, and ships millions of tons of coal by rail. The company’s CEO, Warren Buffett, has said climate change should not be a factor in its business decisions.
While it is difficult to find out which companies insure which projects, a recent report from Rainforest Action Network and Public Citizen identified 35 insurance companies underwriting liquified methane export terminal projects across the U.S Gulf South, including Chubb, Liberty Mutual, AIG, The Hartford, Travelers, Berkshire Hathaway, and Lloyd’s of London.
Investing in Fossil Fuel Companies
Insurance companies do not simply insure fossil fuel projects; they also invest billions of dollars from the premiums we pay into fossil fuel companies, according to the Investing in Climate Chaos database by Urgewald, a German environmental and human-rights NGO.
Berkshire Hathaway invests by far the most in fossil fuels of all US insurance companies, more than $95 billion. It is the 14th largest investor in fossil fuels overall and the top investor in Chevron and Occidenal Petroleum. Its subsidiary Berkshire Hathaway Energy owns 11 coal plants outright and has stakes in 18 more. Its railroad company ships coal across the country
State Farm has the second-most invested in fossil fuels of any US insurance carrier: $20.6 billion invested in 65 companies, including $10.7 billion in shares and $9.9 billion in bonds. It is the 15th-largest investor in Exxon.
“It seems nonsensical at best—and complicit at worst—for State Farm to carefully factor climate risk from wildfires into its homeowner’s insurance policies, refusing in some cases to provide such policies at all, while apparently ignoring the heightened climate risk that its investment portfolio is helping to create,” Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) wrote to State Farm in June 2023.
Other high-level investors include USAA, through its investing arm Victory Capital, at over $10 billion; AIG at over $9 billion; Nationwide at almost $7 billion; and Allstate at over $4 billion.
Insurance Company | Shares (US$) | Bonds (US$) | # of Fossil Fuel Companies Invested In | Total Fossil Fuel Investments (US$) | Berkshire Hathaway (parent of GEICO) | 95.4 billion | 0.3 billion | 8 | 95.8 billion | State Farm | 10.7 billion | 9.9 billion | 65 | 20.6 billion | USAA (through Victory Capital) | 8 billion | 3.2 billion | 282 | 11.2 billion | AIG | 1.2 billion | 8.5 billion | 275 | 9.7 billion | Nationwide | 0 | 7.2 billion | 77 | 7.2 billion | Allstate | 7 million | 4.5 billion | 111 | 4.5 billion | Travelers | 0 | 1.9 billion | 49 | 1.9 billion | Liberty Mutual | 0 | 1.8 billion | 65 | 1.8 billion | The Hartford | 166 million | 1.2 billion | 91 | 1.3 billion |
Investing in Climate Chaos database by Urgewald. Data collected in May 2024. Figures rounded to first decimal.
Ready to find better insurance? Check out Green America’s new Responsible Insurance Directory.
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Switch to a Responsible Card |
Green America Resources
Switching to a new credit card may not be as onerous as switching to a new bank, but it can still be a process depending on how many automatic payments are on your current card.
To switch to a new credit card, follow many of the same steps as breaking up with your megabank:
- Choose a new responsible credit card.
- Open a line of credit with your new card.
- Make a list of automatic payments on your old card.
- Move your automatic payments to the new card.
- Get or download copies of your old credit card statements.
- Make sure you have received and used any points, rewards, or cash back.
- Pay off your old credit card balance or transfer it to your new card.
- Close your old credit card account – or leave it open but stop using it.
- Tell your previous credit card issuer why you are leaving.
- Encourage organizations you are involved with to make the switch.
Credit Rating
Unlike your bank account, a credit card is essentially a loan, so switching credit cards may temporarily affect your credit rating. When you apply for a new card, the company will likely do a hard inquiry into your credit history, which could temporarily lower your credit score. Likewise, closing a long-held credit card may also temporarily lower your credit score.
In the long run, however, how you use your new credit card is more important than switching to a new card for your credit rating. Taking these steps will help minimize any impact:
- Get a climate-friendly card with a credit limit equal to or higher than your old card.
- Pay your credit card bills on time.
- Follow these steps to cancel your old card – or keep it but stop using it.
If you are planning a major purchase such as a new house, or if you are a renter looking to move soon, you might want to wait until these processes are complete before canceling a long-held or high-limit credit card.
More resources
Sample Break Up Letter to Send to Your Megabank Need some help telling your megabank why you are switching to a new card? Use our sample letter.
FAQs on Green Credit Cards Before switching credit cards, many people have questions. Find answers to questions such as:
- How does a community development bank or credit union benefit if I use their credit card?
- If I end my airline credit card, will I lose my miles?
- Can I use a responsible credit card overseas?
Bank and Credit Cards Services Checklist Credit cards may offer a lot of different services. Our friends at This! Is What We Did have developed a checklist to help you determine which services are most important to you.
Still need help?
This! Is What We Did offers Move Your Money Office Hours. You can sign up for a 30-minute appointment with a trained peer facilitator to ask questions and get personalized assistance in switching to a new bank or credit card. Sign up for a time here
Next: Responsible Insurance
Despite their position on the front lines of the climate crisis, many large insurance companies are canceling policies and raising rates, even as they continue to insure fossil fuel projects and invest in fossil fuel companies. Learn how you can find responsible home and auto insurance.
Back to Credit Card Main Page
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Finding a Responsible Credit Card |
The key to finding a responsible credit card is to find a responsible bank that issues the card. If your bank or credit union is not a major funder or investor in fossil fuels, and if it issues its own credit card, you may be able to use that card knowing the fees will not be disproportionately repurposed to drive the climate crisis.
However, you will need to make sure your climate-friendly bank or credit union is not outsourcing its credit cards to another institution that disproportionately funds fossil fuels. For example, over 300 credit unions and over 1300 banks have outsourced issuing and servicing their credit cards to Elan Financial – which is owned by US Bank, a major lender and investor in fossil fuels.
You can find hundreds of responsible banks and credit unions nationwide through Green America’s Get a Better Bank map. Many of these institutions offer their own credit cards. Check their websites for further information about who is issuing these cards, or call the bank or credit union directly to ask.
Responsible Credit Card Guide
If your responsible bank or credit union does not issue its own credit card, or if the card has been outsourced to a fossil bank, then you’ll need to look for a responsible credit card elsewhere.
That’s where our Responsible Credit Card Guide, developed with Rivers and Mountains GreenFaith and Third Act Upstate New York, comes in. This guide below lists the best options for obtaining a responsible credit card issued by a bank or credit union, along with other options.
If you find your credit card is issued by one of the worst options, our guide will equip you with the knowledge to find and switch to a responsible credit card.
Best Options – Credit Unions
Here are a few examples of the many credit unions that self-issue credit cards. Membership in most credit unions is limited to a specific location, but a few are available nationwide.
Restricted membership | Open membership – nationwide (states with branch locations) | Self-Help Credit Union (NC, SC, FL) | Self-Help Federal Credit Union (CA, IL, WA, WI) | SELCO Community Credit Union (OR, WA) | Hope Credit Union (MS, LA, AR, AL, TN) | Lower East Side People’s Federal Credit Union (NYC) | Alliant Credit Union (online only) | Greylock Federal Credit Union (Western Mass) | Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union (FL) | Clearwater Credit Union (Montana) | MSU Federal Credit Union (MI) |
Many credit unions offer credit cards that feature their logo but outsource credit cards to another institution. The following credit card issuers are owned by credit unions and not involved in funding fossil fuels:
- America’s Credit Unions (formerly CUNA)
- CSCU - Card Services for Credit Unions
Best Options – Banks
Two non-fossil banks that issue credit cards are FNBO (First National Bank of Omaha) and TCM (Total Card Management), a subsidiary of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), which issues the Green America credit card. There are no indications that either bank loans to or invests in the fossil fuel industry. Bank of Missouri also issues cards for several local community banks.
Here is a sample of some of the credit cards issued by these two banks (linked banks are listed in the Green America Get a Better Bank map):
FNBO - First National Bank of Omaha | TCM Bank/ICBA | Amalgamated Bank (NYC, DC) | Native American Bank | Community Bank, N.A. (NY, VT, PA) | Abacus Federal Savings Bank (NY, NJ, PA) | Flagstar (MI, NYC, FL) | BOM Bank (Bank of Montgomery) (LA, TX) | Wintrust Bank, N.A. (Chicago area) | Evertrust Bank (CA) | Glacier Bancorp (WA, MT, ID, UT, WY, CO, AZ, NV) | Farmers and Merchants Bank (MD) | SEIU (labor union) | Green America |
Note: a few climate groups have downlisted credit cards issued by TCM due to an ICBA report on climate change regulation that said: “ICBA will oppose any climate risk regulation that adversely impacts community banks and their ability to support their communities and customers.” However, there are no indications that TCM or ICBA loan to or invest in the fossil fuel industry.
Corporate Options
Some credit cards are issued by large financial institutions that have no indication of loans to or investments in the fossil fuel industry. However, the fees from these credit cards are not used to build local community the way fees that benefit community development banks and credit unions do.
Corporate credit card issuers include:
- Diners Club (subsidiary of Discover)
- Bread Financial - formerly Comenity (issues store cards for 100+ large retail chains)
- Synchrony Bank (issues cards for Sam’s Club, PayPal, Venmo)
Worst options
The worst credit card issuers are the megabanks that lend and invest billions of dollars in the fossil fuel industry. Listed in order of financing by the Banking on Climate Chaos report, these US banks include:
Bank Rank | Bank Name | 2023 lending and underwriting to fossil fuel industry (in billions) | Total lending and underwriting since Paris Agreement (in billions) | 1 | JPMorgan Chase | $ 40.875 | $ 430.926 | 2 | Citibank | $ 30.268 | $ 396.331 | 3 | Bank of America | $ 33.682 | $ 333.159 | 5 | Wells Fargo | $ 30.378 | $ 296.247 | 14 | Goldman Sachs | $ 18.818 | $ 184.927 | 15 | Morgan Stanley | $ 19.104 | $ 183.547 | 25 | PNC Financial Services | $ 12.149 | $ 108.312 | 27 | Truist Financial | $ 14.232 | $ 105.352 | 28 | US Bancorp | $ 12.779 | $ 97.274 | | Total for US megabanks | $212.29 | $2,038.80 |
Please note that many Canadian, European, Asian, and South American banks also do business in the United States. If the bank that issues your credit card is headquartered in another country, you can check the Banking on Climate Chaos report to see if it is one of the top 60 fossil banks.
Ready to move to a responsible credit card? Learn how to make the switch!
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Does Your Credit Card Fund Fossil Fuels? |
Just as your bank decides how to use your deposits, so does the bank that issues your credit card decide how to use the credit card fees.
If the issuer of your card is one of the US megabanks, then any fees you or merchants pay for your credit card purchases are being disproportionately loaned to or invested in the fossil fuel industry.
Megabanks support the fossil fuel industry in two ways:
- They loan money for fossil fuel projects
- They invest money in fossil fuel companies
Lending to fossil fuel projects
To find out if the bank that issues your credit card is a major lender to fossil fuel projects, check the Banking on Climate Chaos report. This report lists nine US banks that together have loaned more than $2 trillion to the fossil fuel industry since the Paris Climate Agreement:
Bank Rank | Bank Name | 2023 lending and underwriting to fossil fuel industry (in billions) | Total lending and underwriting since Paris Agreement (in billions) | 1 | JPMorgan Chase | $ 40.875 | $ 430.926 | 2 | Citibank | $ 30.268 | $ 396.331 | 3 | Bank of America | $ 33.682 | $ 333.159 | 5 | Wells Fargo | $ 30.378 | $ 296.247 | 14 | Goldman Sachs | $ 18.818 | $ 184.927 | 15 | Morgan Stanley | $ 19.104 | $ 183.547 | 25 | PNC Financial Services | $ 12.149 | $ 108.312 | 27 | Truist Financial | $ 14.232 | $ 105.352 | 28 | US Bancorp | $ 12.779 | $ 97.274 | | Total for US megabanks | $212.29 | $2,038.80 |
Keep in mind that some of these banks may go by a shortened name on the back of a credit card. For example, JPMorgan Chase may be listed as “Chase,” Citibank is often listed as “Citi,” and US Bancorp is also known as “US Bank.”
Also keep in mind that a fossil megabank may have a subsidiary that issues credit cards. For example, US Bank owns Elan Financial, which issues credit cards for over 1300 banks and 300 credit unions – including some banks and credit unions that are otherwise sustainable.
Regardless of which logo is on the front of a credit card, it is critical to find out which bank issues the credit card.
Investing in fossil fuel companies
To find out if the bank that issues your credit card is a major investor in fossil fuel projects, check the Investing in Climate Chaos database, published by the German environmental nonprofit Urgewald. This resource pulls global investment data from the London Stock Exchange Group.
If your credit card issuer is not listed, great! If it is, keep in mind these are large institutional investors. Anything under $200 million is not considered a major investment in fossil fuels. If your credit card issuer is listed with a smaller investment in fossil fuels, call them to voice your concerns.
Ready to take charge of your card? Our Responsible Credit Card Guide can help!
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Get a Better Bank or Credit Union |
Where you bank matters. You can put your money to good use simply by banking with a community development bank or credit union. These institutions operate just like conventional banks, but focus on funding economic development in low- and moderate-income areas and supporting local economies, instead of simply investing to make their executives wealthier.
Green America’s Get a Better Bank Map
To help you find a community development bank or credit union in your area, Green America has created a Get a Better Bank map. This new standalone website lists almost 17,000 locations of over 3,000 banks and credit unions whose mission is to build their communities.
The map is fully searchable by location, bank name, and other filters. You can also find online only banks and credit unions, as well as information about why to switch, how to switch, FAQs, endorsing organizations, and a full explanation of how we selected the institutions to be listed.
The banks and credit unions included meet at least one of the following criteria:
Many banks and credit unions in our Get a Better Bank map meet more than one of these criteria for certifications and memberships, displayed as badges on the financial institution's page. Any minority or women ownership is also listed.
Benefits of Switching
Benefits of switching to a community development bank or credit union include:
- 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.
- They provide financial services to low-income individuals and/or supply capital for small businesses, affordable housing, and education facilities.
- They invest in their local economy – things like mortgage loans and small business.
- They have more accountability to individual customer members.
Other Better Banking Resources
Other organizations have also created resources to identify better banks and credit unions. Each resource is different, so using more than one can be helpful. These resources include:
- Bank for Good, which lists over 50 banks and credit unions that have signed a fossil-free commitment.
- Bank.Green, which rates banks and credit unions based on its ratio of clean energy vs fossil fuel financing.
- Better Banking Options, which scores over 10,000 banks and credit unions by how well they support their local communities.
- Mighty Deposits, which analyzes public data for what over 10,000 banks or credit unions in the United States invest in.
Consider Online Banking
In addition to seeking out better banking options above, consider online financial institutions:
- For any bank or credit union that interests you, ask if they offer paperless and online services.
Ready to move to a better bank or credit union? Learn how to make the switch!
Back to Better Banking Main Page
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How to Switch to a Better Bank or Credit Union |
If you have landed on this page, you likely understand how banking with one of the top 9 US megabanks disproportionately funds the fossil fuel industry, and you have checked out the Green America's Get a Better Bank map or another resource to find a better bank or credit union.
Understanding the problem with megabanks is the first step. Identifying a better bank or credit union is the second step. Now comes the third step: Making the switch.
Green America Resources
Switching to a new bank or credit union is a process, but Green America has several resources to help. Our resources include:
Break Up with Your Megabank in 10 Easy Steps Learn the 10 steps for switching from a megabank to a community development bank or credit union:
- Choose a new bank or credit union.
- Open a new account.
- Make a list of automatic payments and withdrawals.
- Move your automatic deposits.
- Move your automatic withdrawals.
- Get copies of your old bank statements.
- Transfer remaining funds to your new account.
- Close your old account.
- Tell your megabank why you are leaving.
- Encourage organizations you are involved with to make the switch.
How to Break Up with Your Megabank poster Does it help to have this printed out in one place? Use our poster with the 10 steps!
Sample Break Up Letter to Send to Your Megabank Need some help telling your megabank why you are leaving? Use our sample letter.
Leaving Your Megabank for a Greener Option? FAQs Before switching banks, many people have questions. Find answers to questions such as:
- Are accounts at smaller banks safe?
- Will switching to a new bank hurt my credit rating?
- I can’t find a truly green bank in my area. Now what?
Bank and Credit Cards Services Checklist Banks and credit unions may offer a lot of different services. Our friends at This! Is What We Did have developed a checklist to help you determine which services are most important to you.
Still need more help?
This! Is What We Did offers Move Your Money Office Hours. You can book a 30-minute session with a trained peer facilitator to ask questions and get personalized assistance in switching to a new bank or credit card. Sign up for a time here
Next: Take Charge of Your Card
Closely related to getting a better bank is finding a responsible credit card. How do you do that? By finding a responsible bank or credit union that issues a credit card. Learn more here.
Back to Better Banking Main Page
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Why Megabanks are Bad News |
Since the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, when all nations of the world agreed to hold global warming to 1.5°C, the world’s 60 largest banks have plowed $6.9 trillion into fossil-fuel financing, including expansion projects, tar sands oil, Arctic and Amazon oil and gas, offshore drilling, fracking, liquified natural gas, and coal mining, according to the 2024 Banking on Climate Chaos report.
Of those 60 largest banks, nine are based in the United States. Those nine have plowed over $2 trillion into oil, gas and coal operations since the Paris Agreement -- about 30% of the world’s total bank funding for fossil fuels -- with over $212 billion in 2023 alone. Here are the nine largest U.S. banks and their lending and underwriting to the fossil fuel industry from 2016 to 2023:
Bank Rank | Bank Name | 2023 lending and underwriting to fossil fuel industry (in billions) | Total lending and underwriting since Paris Agreement (in billions) | 1 | JPMorgan Chase | $ 40.875 | $ 430.926 | 2 | Citibank | $ 30.268 | $ 396.331 | 3 | Bank of America | $ 33.682 | $ 333.159 | 5 | Wells Fargo | $ 30.378 | $ 296.247 | 14 | Goldman Sachs | $ 18.818 | $ 184.927 | 15 | Morgan Stanley | $ 19.104 | $ 183.547 | 25 | PNC Financial Services | $ 12.149 | $ 108.312 | 27 | Truist Financial | $ 14.232 | $ 105.352 | 28 | US Bancorp | $ 12.779 | $ 97.274 | | Total for US megabanks | $212.29 | $2,038.80 |
Because banks use money that people have deposited to make loans, the money deposited in accounts at US megabanks is disproportionately being used to finance fossil fuel projects.
- Every $1,000 in savings at a U.S. megabank is roughly equivalent to the direct emissions generated by flying from New York to Seattle every year, according to Project Drawdown.
- Just $62,500 at a U.S. megabank could be responsible for as much carbon (about 8 tons) as all the heating, driving, flying, cooling and cooking an average American does in six months, according to Kat Taylor of Beneficial State Bank and Bill McKibben of Third Act.
Please note that many Canadian, European, Asian, and South American banks also do business in the United States. If your bank is headquartered in another country, you can check the Banking on Climate Chaos report to see if it is one of the top 60 fossil banks.
Ready to find a better bank or credit union? Our Get a Better Bank Map can help!
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