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It can be hard to eat organic food on a budget. But we have some tips on how to prioritize the foods least contaminated by pesticides, increase your access to healthy, organic foods, and even build community along the way.

Organic or Conventional?

If you’re on a tight budget, prioritize buying organic versions of produce that’s normally the most contaminated or genetically engineered.

Safe to Buy Non-Organic (least contaminated by pesticides after washing)

1. Avocados
2. Pineapples
3. Cabbage
4. Sweet Peas (frozen)
5. Onions
6. Asparagus
7. Kiwi
8. Eggplant
9. Grapefruit
10. Cantaloupe
11. Cauliflower
12. Sweet Potatoes

Always buy organic (most contaminated and/or genetically modified)

1. Apples
2. Peaches
3. Nectarines
4. Strawberries
5. Grapes
6. Celery
7. Spinach
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Cucumbers
10. Cherry Tomatoes
11. Snap Peas (imported)
12. Potatoes
13. Hot Peppers
14. Kale/Collard Greens
15. Papaya*
16. Sweet Corn*

* A small amount of sweet corn, papaya and summer squash sold in the United States is produced from GE seedstock. Buy organic varieties of these crops if you want to avoid GE produce.

Sources: GMOInside.org and Environmental Working Group’s ‘Dirty Dozen Plus’ and ‘Clean Fifteen’

If You Have More Time Than Money…

Reduce Your Processed Food And Restaurant Purchases

Processed food is often more expensive and less healthy than whole foods. Use the money you save by avoiding processed food and expensive restaurant food to buy more organic items.

Grow Your Own Food

It’s not only fun, but it can save money, cut pesticides, and reduce carbon emissions compared to store-bought vegetables. Can some of your produce for the winter months; our article, “Think Globally, Can Locally” can help.

Volunteer At A Local Food Co-op

Many allow members to volunteer a few times a month in exchange for a discount.

Arrange a CSA Workshare

If you belong to a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) arrangement with a local farmer, ask the farmer if you can exchange some work hours for a discount on your weekly share of produce.

If You Have More Money Than Time…

Join A CSA

You can save up to 40 percent on in-season and organic (or close-to-it) produce over buying it from the grocery store by joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) arrangement, according to DailyFinance.com. (find a sustainable CSA at localharvest.org and eatwellguide.org)

Consider An Organic Delivery Service

You’ll save time and gas money, and since the service delivers groceries to many households in one trip, you’ll save on climate emissions, too.

If You’re Broke And Busy…

Buy Organic Wisely

Use our “Organic or Conventional?” list above to focus your organic grocery purchases on the types of produce most likely to be contaminated by pesticides or genetically modified.

Eat less meat

Better yet, go vegetarian or vegan! Author John Robbins notes that eating a plant-based diet typically costs 25 percent less than a meat-eater’s diet.

Avoid fast food

While it might seem inexpensive, the impact of fast food on your health—and future health-care costs—can be catastrophic due to its high content of salt, sugar, and fat.

Forego bottled water

Say goodbye to wasteful, single-use bottled water and save $1,400 a year.

Buy in bulk and on sale

Green American Mark Landers buys organic food by the case, which gets him a ten percent discount at his local store. And member Victoria A buys organic produce like blueberries whenever it's on sale and freezes it in single-serving portions for quick thawing later. Read our latest article on buying in bulk.

This is a tale of two T-shirts, one from the popular mall store Forever 21, and one from Green America Green Business Network member Blue Canoe. The shirts are both blue and made of 100-percent cotton. They both have cap sleeves, slight tapering at the waist, and come in sizes XS-L. But that's where the similarity ends.

The Forever 21 shirt costs $8.80. The Blue Canoe shirt, $45.95. Which to choose?

"No contest," says just about any budget-conscious shopper in America. "The Forever 21 shirt, hands down."

Even for those who understand that there's more to both shirts than meets the eye, the price difference raises the question that many people have asked us over the years: If there's a premium on green goods, how can one buy green on a budget?
 

The Blue Canoe shirt is made of organic cotton by workers in California.

The Forever 21 shirt is tied to sweatshop labor and chemical-intensive cotton farming.

Taking Responsibility. Or Not

It’s true that people may pay a premium for green goods and services, but it’s not because green companies are trying to earn a larger profit. The fact is, no matter how successful a green business becomes and how much of a cost advantage that company offers due to economies of scale, it’ll never match the low, low prices of a conventional corporation like Forever 21 for one simple reason: Truly green businesses pay for external social and environmental costs that corporations are content to ignore—and foist on the communities in which they do business. To illustrate, let’s return to our two T-shirts.

The Forever 21 shirt likely has ties to sweatshop labor. In 2001, the company moved most of its manufacturing to Asia after a lawsuit was filed that year alleging sweatshop conditions in its US factories. And in 2012, Forever 21 was one of several being investigated by the US Department of Labor (DOL) for wage and overtime violations in its remaining US facilities in Los Angeles. In March of this year, the DOL issued a subpoena demanding that Forever 21 release records of its US workers’ wages, work hours, and working conditions, after the company spent months refusing to comply with a DOL request stemming from the 2012 investigation.

Forever 21 has also been linked to overseas sweatshops by worker advocates, and it has refused to sign on to the Accord for Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, even after the horrific Rana Plaza building collapse last April.

Forever 21 has refused to join retailers like Gap and even Walmart in committing to not buy cotton from Uzbekistan, where child labor in cotton fields is rampant.

And the Forever 21 shirt has a profound negative impact on the environment. That shirt is made from conventional cotton, the farming of which is responsible for 25 percent of the world’s pesticide use. The blue color likely came from conventional clothing dyes, which often contain toxic heavy metals like chrome, copper, and zinc. And it’s now the industry standard to apply finishes to clothing to make it stain-, wrinkle-, and fire-resistant, including formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

Green for the Planet and You

While it may be a similar color and shape as its Forever 21 counterpart, the Blue Canoe shirt stands in stark contrast when you look at which is better for workers, communities, and the Earth.

The Blue Canoe shirt was made with 100-percent organic cotton, meaning no synthetic pesticides were used to grow the cotton. The shirt gets its deep blue color from low impact dyes, says founder and owner Laurie Dunlap. And like every piece of Blue Canoe clothing, the shirt was knit in Los Angeles and sewn in San Francisco by workers making a living wage.

In short, Blue Canoe’s production costs are higher than Forever 21’s, because it absorbs extra costs like paying its workers well instead of exploiting them, paying a premium for organic cotton, and forgoing cheaper chemical dyes in favor of eco-friendly alternatives.

And often, the quality of a green item is just better than a cheap, sweatshop-made product. Cost-conscious manufacturers can make their product cheaper, for example, by requiring longer stitch lengths, which saves time and money. But then, says Dunlap, the seams have no stretch and will easily come apart.

“From the beginning, we’ve heard from our customers how long our clothing lasts,” says Dunlap. “They’ll say things like, ‘I’m still wearing same pants I bought from you five years ago!’ We like to hear that. We don’t think of our clothing as disposable.”

Great, But It's Still Expensive

For struggling families, buying everything they need from the green economy can present a challenge. In our Green American magazine (subscribe), we've compiled our best tips to help you go green within your budget, focusing on the product categories people spend the most on—clothing, food, and transport—and where a shift to green can have the biggest impact.

As you mind your budget, remember that green isn’t always more expensive, and sometimes it’s just better. An energy efficient home feels cozier during the winter and saves money on your monthly bill. Communities designed around green transportation are often walkable, vibrant places where small businesses thrive. Organic foods promote better health and fewer doctor bills than processed foods, and they’re not coated with pesticides.

The green life is the good life, and it can be a wholesome, affordable life, too.

Here are seven things being "greenwashed," from granola bars to cleaning products. These items may seem more environmentally friendly than they are, but there are better alternatives for you to consider.

1. Biodegradable Bags

How much do they cost? $5 – $20

What’s wrong with them? Unless you know these bags are ending up in a compost bin, they’re not doing the planet or your wallet any good. There’s a good chance the bags will end up in a landfill where they will fail to decompose due to the anaerobic state of compacted trash.

Buy this instead: Reusable bags made of cotton or with high recycled plastic content are a great choice ($2 – $20). You can also reuse the bags that may package your food ($0).

2. Conventional Granola Bars 

How much do they cost? $4 – $6 for a box of 6-12 bars.

What’s wrong with them? Conventional wisdom says that granola bars are a quick and healthy way to start your day, but most of them are filled with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) such as soy and sugars, with little of the beneficial protein and fiber they like to tout on their labels. Some have artificial flavors and preservatives. Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars (owned by General Mills), for example, contain soy protein, soy flour, canola oil, sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, brown sugar syrup, and soy lecithin, all of which are highly likely to contain GMOs. 

Buy this instead: Certified organic energy bars with high protein and low sugar content. Foods bearing the certified organic label cannot contain GMOs. A handful of organic nuts make a healthy snack, as well.

3. "Green" or "Ethical" Bottled Water

How much does it cost? $1 – $5

What’s wrong with it? Bottled water sends approximately two million tons of plastic to landfills each year. Even if all the plastic was recycled, it still represents a huge carbon footprint, especially when you consider how far much of this water must be trucked before it reaches its destination. Plus, plastic downcycles, meaning that you can recycle it once or twice, and then it becomes an unusable mess — which ends up as waste in landfills or the ocean.

Buy this instead: Tap water ($0). If you’re concerned about your local water quality, consider buying a water filter ($30 and up).

4. Flushable Wipes

How much do they cost? $5-$10

What’s wrong with them? “Flushable" wipes is a misnomer. These wipes do not break down in the sewage system the way that toilet paper does and often causes mixes with cooking oil and other substances to cause a "fatberg" that workers have to clean up down the line. Companies get away with calling these wipes flushable, simply because no one has told them not to.

Buy this instead: You are free to continuing purchasing flushable wipes but be sure to throw them in the trash instead of the toilet. Or stick to toilet paper ($8-$16).

5. Recyclable Plastic Products

How much do they cost? $3 – $20

What’s wrong with them? “Recyclable” plastic sounds green, but this phrase is a classic example of greenwashing. Just because plastic is recyclable doesn’t mean there will be facilities available for you to recycle it in your state. It also does not mean that the item contains any recycled content. In addition, as noted in #3, plastic downcycles, rather than recycles, into waste that invariably ends up in landfills or the ocean.

Buy this instead: Replace plastics with reusable glass or metal containers such as a stainless-steel water bottle ($12 – $40).

6. Greenwashed Cleaning Products

How much do they cost? 16 oz. for $12

What’s wrong with them? Many of these greenwashed products claim to be “nontoxic”—a term that is unregulated on product labels and is basically meaningless—yet include toxins in their ingredient list.

Buy this instead: Truly green cleaners certified by Green America’s Green Business Network®. Yaya Maria's (16 oz. for $12), for example, are certified USDA organic, PETA certified vegan and cruelty-free. Another option is to make your own cleaning products.

7. Recycled Polyester Clothing

How much do they cost? $20-$150

What’s wrong with them? Don't let the word "recycled" fool you—polyester is one of the many plastic derivatives of fossil fuels. It is popular with clothing manufacturers because it is cheaper than natural materials like wool and cotton, but it has a negative impact on the environment in the form of microplastics. And it just doesn't last as long or look as good over time.

Buy this instead: Try to find natural materials for your clothing, such as wool, cotton, hemp, and bamboo. It is a higher investment upfront, but a better investment over time for yourself and the environment.

1. Trash Conventional Body Care Products

The Problem: More than one-third of all personal care products contain at least one ingredient linked to cancer, and very few products are tested for safety. Some products contain phthalates, which don't appear in the list of a product's ingredients. Instead, they are covered by the general term "fragrance." Other troublesome ingredients include coal tar, which is made from petroleum waste; diethanolamine (DEA); 1,4-Dioxane; and parabens. These toxins may be linked to endocrine disruptions, skin problems, and cancer.

The Solution: Look for body care products from one of the 600 retailers that have signed the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' Compact. These companies have pledged to phase out the 450 chemicals banned by the European Union in 2005 because they're strongly suspected of being mutagens, carcinogens, or endocrine disrupters. You can also search the EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database to learn about the products on your shelves.

Eco-bonus: Your green body care purchases help stop environmental contamination of our waterways. Buying organic supports sustainable, pesticide-free agriculture.

Visit our National Green Pages™ category on body care

Check out our articles:

9 Toxins to Avoid in Personal Care Products 

Safer Sunscreen for Summer 

Green America’s Sarah and Tracy Talk Green Feminine Products

2. Avoid Chemical Air Fresheners

The problem: Air fresheners can contain dangerous ingredients like dichlorobenzene, naphthalene, and formaldehyde. Conventional scented candles aren't much better. Many are made from petroleum-based paraffin wax, which releases carcinogenic soot when burned, and some have lead-core wicks, which release toxic lead into the air when burned which is linked to respiratory irritation, cancer.

The solution: Avoid candles and air fresheners with synthetic fragrances. Instead, leave out a bowl of baking soda to absorb odors, and switch from paraffin to 100-percent beeswax or soy candles with cotton wicks. To test a candle wick for lead, rub the tip on a piece of paper. If it leaves a mark, there's a lead core in the wick. This method doesn't work with candles that have been lit already, so when in doubt, throw them out.

Visit our National Green Pages™ categories: aromatherapy and candles

Check out our article: Are Your Candles Toxic

3. Purge PVC from your Shower Curtain (and elsewhere)

The problem: Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC, or the "vinyl" in your vinyl shower curtain, is a plastic that's dangerous to people and the environment at every stage of its life cycle. DEHP, an additive used to soften many vinyl products, is a phthalate. 

The solution: Avoid PVC products for your bathroom or anywhere in your home. PVC is often recognizable by its distinctive odor (think that "new shower curtain" smell). When shopping for a shower curtain, look for a non-vinyl one. Ikea and Vita Futura both make polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA) liners, which are PVC-free. You can also get a hemp curtain from green companies like Rawganique.com. Hemp dries quickly and is resistant to mildew.

Visit our National Green Pages™ categories: hemp, housewares, and toys

Learn more:

Could You Go Plastic-Free?

“Universities are very sensitive to how they are portrayed.”

Kyuwon Kim and two recent university graduates, Elysia Petrone and Yasmin Parodi, are attempting a unique method of pressuring universities to divest from fossil fuels. The three friends are asking Maclean’s Magazine, a current affairs publication that annually ranks Canadian universities, to add an “ethical investment” ranking to its report. 

Green America/Martha van Gelder: How did you get involved with the divestment movement?

Kyuwon Kim: I met Elysia and Yasmin at a workshop in Toronto that was run by the Sierra Youth Coalition back in October. The three of us had a big interest in the divestment campaign because we came from different 350.org chapters, which inspired us to take action.

Green America/Martha: How did you get the idea to use the universities’ rankings as a way to encourage them to take action? It is such a unique approach!

Kim: At the end of each year, Maclean’s publish a universities issue in which it ranks Canadian universities based on class size, funding, reputation, student support, etc. Most Canadian high school students use it when they search for universities. I used it myself!

We noticed that there was nothing that mentioned ethical investment, so we started a petition asking Maclean’s to include information in its university rankings that reference the ethicality of their endowments.

Green America/Martha: How successful have you been so far?

Kim: We have been in talks with Maclean’s Magazine, and they have been going very positively. We’re very, very thankful that all these people have supported us.

Green America/Martha: Why do you think this ranking could influence universities?
 

Kim: A lot of universities are sensitive to how they rank in Maclean’s Magazine, and they have responded to their ranking in the magazine. Many universities will call the magazine and want to know how they can rank better the next year.

Green America/Martha: As an alumna, why do you feel moved to take action to change what your alma mater does with its endowment?

Kim: All three of us, Elysia, Yasmin and me, have studied the environment in some way or another. Universities are leading the way in terms of sustainability and leadership. [The fact that our university was invested in fossil fuels] disheartened us, and we thought it was hypocritical that these great institutions that are investing a lot in sustainability research yet they are investing in unethical activities and unsustainable industries.
 

Green America/Martha: What advice would you give to other alumni who want to get involved?

Kim: Pay attention to what your leverage points are. They differ by wherever you are in the world. But I believe it can be done. There's a huge amount of momentum, so right now is the time to jump in for sure.

1. Avoid Vinyl (PVC) Siding 

The problem: Home siding can be the single largest use of PVC plastic in a home. Vinyl siding often contains DEHP, an additive and a phthalate. The manufacture and incineration of PVC releases dangerous pollution. May be linked to: endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, cancer.

The solution: When it's time to buy new siding for your house, choose one of the many non-vinyl siding alternatives available, from aluminum to polypropylene.

2. Take Care with Exterior Paints

The problem: Like paints used indoors, exterior paints can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and may contain fungicides or biocides. In exterior paints, VOCs are less likely to be inhaled, reducing the paint's health risks, but these VOCs can still cause smog and damage the ozone layer.

The solution: Pick a zero- or very low-VOC exterior paint. All exterior paints need fungicides to prevent mold, so choose an exterior paint that contains the least-toxic paint fungicide: zinc oxide. Avoid oil-based paints and choose instead an acrylic, latex, or recycled water-based paint. Least-toxic exterior paints include: DuraSoy No-VOC Interior/Exterior paint, American Pride No-VOC Interior/Exterior Primer, and AFM Safecoat Low-VOC Exterior Satin.

Visit our National Green Pages™ category: paints

Check out our article:  Eco-Friendly Paints and Stains

3. Reduce Your Pesticide Use

The problem: Too many homeowners needlessly use hazardous chemical on their lawns, and these chemicals can drift into their homes and pollute indoor air. Of 30 commonly used lawn pesticides, 19 are linked with cancer or carcinogenicity, 15 with neurotoxicity, and 11 with hormone disruption, according to the National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns. Many also pollute groundwater, and most are toxic to wildlife. These toxins may be linked to: cancer, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption.

The solution: In many American yards, pesticide use is unnecessary and excessive. Visit Beyond Pesticides for least-toxic solutions to lawn care.

Visit our National Green Pages™ category: landscaping/lawn care

4. Check Your Wooden Deck and Playsets

The problem: Until a few years ago, pressure-treated wood for decks and play equipment was routinely covered in chromium copper arsenate (CCA) to kill insects and prevent rot. CCA leaches arsenic that sticks to hands and is absorbed through skin. The wood industry voluntarily agreed to stop selling CCA-treated wood for most residential uses in 2005, but older decks and playground sets may still be coated in poison. These toxins may be linked to: cancer, developmental damage.

The solution: If your wooden deck or play equipment was built before 2005, obtain a test kit from the Environmental Working Group. If there is arsenic present, consider replacing the items, or at least the parts like handrails and steps that people most often touch. Using a table cloth on older wooden picnic tables, applying wood sealant every six months, and regular hand-washing after playing outside can limit arsenic exposure. (Clear sealants are most toxic. Look for a wood sealant with the darkest pigmentation.)

Also test soil surrounding older wood decks or play equipment. You may need to replace it with a safer ground cover if the soil contains unsafe levels of arsenic. Avoid storing any tools or toys outdoors near arsenic-treated wood.

Check out our article: Green Hands on Deck 

“Your investment philosophy should reflect the values you have in governing.”

Seattle mayor, Mike McGinn made history last November when he became the first mayor to divest his city from fossil fuels. His office has already divested the $1.4 million in their direct control, and it’s working to encourage the Seattle pension fund to divest its $1.9 billion from fossil fuels.

Header photo via Flcikr user Joe Mabel.

Green America/Martha van Gelder: Why is it important for Seattle's pension fund to divest from fossil fuels?

Mayor Mike McGinn: It’s important when you’re a public entity that when you spend your dollars, you do so in a way that is consistent with the values of the people that live in the place. And Seattle has been, and I hope will continue to be, a leader in trying to build an environmentally sustainable economy, one that’s fair and economically vibrant.

If you’re taking actions on the one hand to make buildings more efficient and make it easier for people to walk, use transit, or ride a bicycle, your investment philosophy should reflect the values you have in governing as well.

Green America/Martha: Do you anticipate other cities following suit and divesting?

McGinn: I do think it’s something that other cities should look at. Not every city manages its own pension fund; I know that many of the cities in the state of Washington are part of the state pension system, as an example. But all cities probably have some amount of money that they’re managing, and they should see what they can do with it.

Green America/Martha: How does the divestment effort play into Seattle’s strategy to go carbon-neutral by 2050?

McGinn: I want to say something about carbon neutrality and other goals that are difficult to attain and that are going to take a lot of action to reach. The real question is, can you take the steps now that lead you towards that goal?
That’s what we’re focusing on here: What are the steps we can take around buildings, around transportation, around our practices—whether as individuals, as entities like a city government or businesses—that really point us in that direction.

We believe going carbon-neutral is really a growth strategy for Seattle, because we’re reducing waste and putting those dollars into more important things. That’s what’s being reflected here in our investment policy as well, that there’s a pathway towards a more sustainable economy, and that we don’t have to rely on taking actions that in the long run, hurt us.

1. Get Rid of Conventional Cleaners 

The problem: Many household cleaners contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, harsh acids, and hormone disrupters, which may be linked to: cancer, endocrine disruption, and eye, throat, and lung irritation.

The solution: Use nontoxic, biodegradable cleaners free from synthetic fragrances. Or save money and go easy on the earth by making your own.

Visit the National Green Pages™ category: cleaning products

Check out our article: Ten Simple Ways to Clean Green

2. Use Care with Paints and Stains

The problem: Conventional paints contain three chemicals worth worrying about: VOCs, fungicides, and biocides. Some paints have toxic pigments too. VOCs are the primary solvent in oil-based paint and a component in water-based paint. Biocides and fungicides are chemicals designed to extend paints' shelf life and prevent mildew once applied. Problematic ingredients can include mercury, arsenic disulfide, phenol, and formaldehyde. Paint containing lead levels greater than 660 parts per million is no longer legal in the US, but homes painted up to the 1970's may still have lead paint. These toxins may be linked to: reproductive toxicity, nerotoxicity (lead paint), and developmental damage.

The solution: Use super-low or zero-VOC paints and stains. Look also for "biocide-free" paints with natural pigments. If your home was built before 1970, test your home and your children's blood lead levels. Paint over lead-based paint to minimize dust and chipping.

Visit the National Green Pages™ category: paints

Check out our article:  Eco-Friendly Paints and Stains

3. Look for Sustainable Furniture

The problem: Some wood furniture can release VOCs from adhesives and finishes. Urea formaldehyde is used in particle-board furniture. Most upholstered furniture is treated with flame-retardant polybrominated diphenl ethers (PBDEs). These toxins may be linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and respiratory irritation.

The solution: Seal exposed edges of particle board and pressed wood with a zero-VOC sealant (like AFM Safecoat's Safe Seal sealant). Consider buying all-natural furniture, made from solid wood or natural, organic ingredients like organic cotton or hemp. Look for furniture made without toxic flame retardants.

Eco-Bonus: Wood furniture certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) supports sustainable forestry practices, preserving old-growth forests throughout the world.

Visit the National Green Pages™ category: furniture

4. Find the Right Flooring

The problem: Wall-to-wall carpets are notorious for harboring allergens and trapping toxins like pesticides that get tracked in from outside. Most synthetic carpets and their adhesives also emit VOCs. Carpeting may be treated with benzyl benzoate or other chemicals for mothproofing or to repel moisture. These toxins may be linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and respiratory irritation.

The solution: Don't put down new wall-to-wall carpeting, and consider removing any current carpet, especially if any family members have breathing problems. You can apply AFM's nontoxic Carpet Seal to lock in off-gassing toxins from newer carpets. Use a HEPA vacuum weekly to remove allergens.

Eco-Bonus: Wood flooring certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) supports sustainable forestry practices, preserving old-growth forests throughout the world. If possible, re-finishing current hardwood flooring or re-using flooring from old houses with non-toxic finishes is best.

Visit the National Green Pages™ categories: flooring and carpets/rugs

Check out our article: Eco-Friendly Flooring

“They’re making profit because we’re letting them destroy God’s Creation.”

The Reverend Dr. Jim Antal is a conference minister in the United Church of Christ, responsible for the 375 UCC congregations in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts conference board of directors recently approved his proposal to divest their funds from fossil fuels and became the first major religious body to divest.

Green America/Martha van Gelder: How did your conference end up voting to divest from fossil fuels?

Rev. Dr. Jim Antal: I’m the conference minister, responsible for 375 congregations, which are all the United Church of Christ churches in Massachusetts. I brought this proposal to our board of directors for the conference, which is a relatively small board of about 20, and we had a very lively conversation. In the end, they approved the resolution unanimously.

As one of 38 UCC conferences in the country, we will bring this resolution to our national gathering. The UCC gets together once every other year in what we call a synod, and that gathering happens in late June this year. We will bring it to the Synod as a resolution, and my expectation is that it will be the dominant focus of our five-day synod gathering.

Green America/Martha: What kind of action can you take without the synod?

Antal: It's an interesting question. The conference itself is not hierarchically organized and doesn’t have that many resources. Our 375 congregations each have autonomy in terms of their resources—they own their own buildings and they own their own investments. So each of them needs to take this into consideration and make their own decisions.

As for us, the first step we took a little more than a month ago was to say, we’re going to provide leadership for the denomination on this. The next step in terms of our own investments, which are several million dollars, is to determine what steps we might take immediately in order to divest.

Green America: Why is divestment important to you from a faith perspective?

Antal: What we’re realizing is, as Hebrew scripture and Christian scripture state, the Earth is the Lord’s. Whether you’re Hindu or Buddhist or whatever faith you have, every faith shares the perspective that Creation is God’s; it’s not ours.

So here’s the deal: Over the past 200 years or even more, humanity has ceded to entities that we now call corporations the right to be intermediaries for humanity in relation to God’s Creation. And as we’ve done this, we’ve fallen asleep at the switch. 

As it turns out, for 35 years or more, we’ve known that the extraction and use of fossil fuels is actually wrecking Creation. So now we’re at a point in human history where we need to take back our own direct relationship with God’s Creation. Informed by science, we recognize that we must leave at least 80 percent of the known carbon reserves in the ground. 

Green America/Martha: You represent the first major religious body to join the divestment movement. Have you heard other religious bodies expressing interest in what you’re doing or thinking about following suit?

Antal: Yes, yes, and yes. My “counterparts” in other denominations responded almost immediately with incredible enthusiasm, so I’ve been in touch with the people who are leading their environmental fronts amongst Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians, and other denominations.

This is going to take a different shape in different denominations. Unitarians have shown a lot of leadership, and they’re also having their national gathering in June. I don’t know for a fact, but I expect they will also have a resolution [on divestment] coming before them. 

Green America: If I were a member of a religious body but not a leader and I wanted us to start taking more action, would you have any advice for me?

Antal: Oh, this is so cool. Thank you for asking! In writing our resolution to divest from fossil fuels, my intent was that any religious body—whether it was a congregation with 50 people, or the largest denomination in the country, or anything in between—could read this, understand the theological reasoning behind it, and say, “You know what? We need to be committed to this.”

If it’s a congregation, then the council of the congregation can take a vote, and a representative leader from that congregation can begin to advocate [for divestment] along with myself and other emerging leaders.  On our website – www.macucc.org\divest -- we are collecting the names of congregations who endorse the resolution. 

Divestment will likely be the focus of the conversation at our national UCC gathering in June, and both the UCC Pension Boards as well as United Church Funds will be engaged in the deliberation.  They currently screen against alcohol; they screen against tobacco; they screen against weapons; they screen against gambling. But the idea of adding another screen to those four—particularly a screen that would be challenging to implement – concerns them.  Particularly when that screen, fossil fuel companies, is eliminating companies that are so unbelievably profitable right now.
Yet the reason they’re profitable is because they’re destroying the Earth. That’s what the Church needs to be shouting: They’re making profit because we’re letting them destroy God’s Creation.

Photo via UCC.org.

How much added sugar should we eat each day? The American Heart Association recommends that women eat only 30 grams (6 teaspoons) and men consume 45 grams (9 teaspoons) of added sugars per day for good health. However, here in the US, the average person eats over 108 grams—or 22 teaspoons—of added sugars per day.

If you think it might be time for you to detox from sugar, here are our top nine tips for kicking the habit:

1. Avoid soda: When New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg moved to ban giant 32- and 64 ounce sodas in 2012, he sparked a firestorm of debate around personal choice versus the government’s role in protecting the common good. But scientists at the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) say the good mayor is onto something.
   
   “Carbonated soft drinks are the single biggest source of refined sugars in the American diet,” writes Dr. Michael Jacobson in the CSPI’s 2005 report, Liquid Candy: How Soft Drinks are Harming America’s Health. Because of sugar’s role in exacerbating US diabetes, obesity, and heart disease rates, the CSPI is urging the US Food and Drug Administration “to determine a safe level of added sugars for beverages as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce Americans’ dangerously high sugar consumption.”
    
2. Avoid juice: The fiber in fruit helps keep the fructose in check, allowing it to pass through your system without causing blood sugar levels to spike. Take out the fiber, and you’re left with fruit juice, which is mainly unhealthy fructose. Worse, many commercial brands add sugar, which is often genetically modified (GM).
    
3. Eat whole, unprocessed foods: It’s the easiest way to avoid hidden sugars. Also,try reducing sugar in your recipes by one-third, suggests Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist and author of the book Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease (Hudson Street Press, 2013).
    
4. Look at labels: Sugar can hide under various names on conventional processed food labels: fructose, maltodextrin, molasses, evaporated cane juice, sucrose, various syrups, and anything ending in “-ose.” To avoid GM sugars, make sure your food is labeled organic or Non-GMO Project Verified.
    
5. Limit artificial sweeteners: Studies show that many, including the ubiquitous aspartame, may stimulate your appetite and cause you to crave sweets. If you use sweeteners, try one of the better options listed here.
    
6. Eat breakfast: Dr. Lustig says that the surest way to reduce ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates hunger, in your body is to eat a breakfast that includes protein and contains little or no carbohydrates and sweets.
    
7. Exercise: Reducing stress through exercise can help keep you from stress-induced eating, which often takes the form of sugary or salty “comfort foods.”
    
8. Drink green tea: While researchers are still debating whether green tea helps control blood sugar levels and aid in weight loss, Eastern medicine practitioners often swear by green tea’s ability to do just that. Green tea is packed with antioxidants, so it can’t hurt to drink more, and it might help.
    
9. Power through: Most experts agree that it takes anywhere from five to seven days of healthy, clean eating to detox from sugar. So brace yourself to deal with the fallout from going sugar-lite or sugar-free for at least a week; after that, your sugar cravings should subside, and you can sit back and enjoy the healthy food you’re putting into your body instead.

The short answer is yes!  

Here’s the long answer. Congress recently appropriated $3 million to fund the Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative. These funds will be used by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), to provide consumer education on agricultural biotechnology and food and animal feed ingredients derived from biotechnology.” 

But, they aren’t planning on discussing the downsides to GMOs, CAFOs, and chemical intensive monocropping. They are planning on promoting the “safety and benefits of crop biotechnology.”  

Some important things to consider and cause for concern: The FDA is dedicated to producing “science-based educational information on the environmental, nutritional, food safety, economic, and humanitarian impacts of such biotechnology.” But that begs the question whose science are they planning on using? The majority of FDA and USDA approvals for bioengineered products, such as biotechnology and pesticides engineered to work with genetically engineered foods, are based solely on industry research. A recent release of documents from The Monsanto lawsuits shows the close ties between government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, and industry. These documents demonstrate how government research has been influenced by the biotech industry in order to present favorable results for agricultural chemicals. It is very concerning to think that the FDA and USDA will be presenting information to consumers that is based off biased industry-funded research.  

In addition, the FDA is planning to target particular groups of people with these materials including children/youth, older Americans, underserved populations, individuals with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and other subpopulations. They are focusing their outreach on some of the most vulnerable populations. These are some of the same subpopulations who have a tendency to consume higher levels of processed food, therefore consuming higher levels of products containing GMOs and related pesticides. Apparently, these government funds are being used to keep biotech’s target markets hooked on their products.  

So, what can you do about it? Take Action.  

The FDA is currently accepting public comments on the Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative. It is important that they hear from YOU and other concerned consumers and taxpayers. Your voice matters! We must continue to hold our government officials accountable and prevent them from using government funds to do promote big biotech’s corporate agenda.  Please take action and then share with your friends and families.  The FDA needs to hear from as many people as possible. 

FDA is looking for comments with responses to the following questions: 

1. What are the specific topics, questions, or other information that consumers would find most useful, and why?
2. Currently, how and from where do consumers most often receive information on this subject?
3. How can FDA (in coordination with USDA) best reach consumers with science-based educational information on this subject?

Remember that the more detailed and informative you can be the more credibility your comment has. See below for a sample comment to submit.   

You can submit your comment here. The comment period closes on November 17, 2017 – so make sure to get your comments in ASAP.  And, ask everyone you know to do the same. 

If you are burnt out on submitting online petition forms you can also send a letter or postcard to the FDA via  

Dockets Management Staff (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061
Rockville, MD 20852 

_________________________________________________________________

 Sample Comment  

As a taxpayer I am disappointed to see the government using taxpayer funds to promote a system of agriculture that does not benefit people or the environment. The proposed program is essentially government funded propaganda for the biotechnology industry, using federal agencies to promote a corporate agenda.  

GMOs and biotechnology have led to the further industrialization of our food system causing: 

• An increase in monocropping resulting in depleted soils.  
• An increase in packaged foods that rely on additives derived from GMOs, contributing to the obesity epidemic in this country.  
• Deforestation of major regions throughout the world to make way for growing feed crops for animals.  
• The increased use of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) as a system to raise animals. CAFOs promote increased infections and disease, dependence on the nontherapeutic use of antibiotics, and the rise of antibiotic resistance bacteria – contributing to the death of over 23,000 Americans each year.  
• Promotion of other new technologies such as CRISPR, gene editing, and nanotechnology. These technologies are being used with little to no regulation and without consideration for their impact on the environment and people.  
• The dependence on synthetic chemicals produced using fossil fuels.  
• Major aquatic dead zones as the result of fertilizer run off.  
• Agriculture to become a major contributor to climate change. 

We are at a turning point in history where we have the ability to reverse the harm that we have done to our bodies, communities, and the environment. Industrialized chemical-intensive agriculture designed to work around biotechnology is the system of the past. In order to build a more sustainable agriculture system that is part of the plan to mitigate climate change we need to move away from chemical-intensive agriculture. Rather than promoting and continuing with a system that is clearly flawed and benefits corporate interests rather than society, these funds would be much better used to help farmers transition to regenerative organic agriculture, to build urban food hubs, for community education on healthy eating, and to aid the next generation of farmers in accessing land and resources sustainably.  

Thank you for your consideration of these comments. 

There’s a huge variety of green and safe products for children, including organic baby products. Here are the top eight things to look for in products geared toward the little ones in your life, and see our staff's best picks from certified green businesses below.

Choose This: Organic Baby Products

Buy green: Choose toys and children’s products manufactured in the US, Canada, or the EU. Lead and other materials are more well-regulated in these places than in developing countries—or China, where many US products are made. Even better, buy from certified green businesses that use organic materials and nontoxic ingredients, paints, dyes, and finishes. 

Go organic: When you choose organic baby products (food, body care, clothing, and more) for your children, you’ll ensure fewer pesticides are poisoning the planet, resulting in less pesticide residue on items to potentially harm your little ones. 

Invest in rechargeable batteries: Many children’s products, like monitors and toys, require batteries to operate. Though more and more items have USB-charging capabilities, consider rechargeable batteries for those that don’t to reduce toxic waste.

Choose secondhand: You’ll save money and the Earth’s resources. Besides your go-to neighborhood secondhand shops and sites like eBay and Craigslist, Kidizen is a new app that’s basically eBay for all baby and kid stuff—clothes, toys, bedding, etc. (Free for iOS and Android. Kidizen.com.) 

Not That

Avoid big-box retailers: If you get the children’s products you need from box stores, you may not like the results. Your kids might be exposed to toxic chemicals. And the workers who made the product may have been exploited—or might be children themselves. 

Use caution with conventional painted toys: Avoid imported toys with flaking paint. Toys made in China have been the subject of numerous recalls for containing lead paint, since lead is less well-regulated in Asia than it is in North America and the EU. Avoid painted toys made before 1978, as they’re more likely to have lead paint.

Steer clear of plastics: Plastic toys and other items can contain toxins like the endocrine disruptor bisphenol-A (BPA, common in #7 plastic) and carcinogenic dioxin in vinyl. Be especially cautious with plastic items that children may put into their mouths. And don’t put too much trust in BPA-free plastics—BPA substitutes can be just as toxic. To be safe, choose toys made of natural materials, including wood and organic cloth.

Watch for recalled items: It’s up to parents to scan toy and product recall lists to find out if a recall applies to something you own. To review recalls or sign up for e-mail notifications of recalls, visit recalls.gov. 

Looking for organic baby products for the little ones in your life? 

Green America staff members share some of their favorite finds from green businesses.

“My kids love Plan Toys products, [sold by Hazelnut Kids]. They’re made out of wood from sustainably managed forests, with nontoxic paints and finishes. From rattles to building blocks to play houses and garages, Plan Toys products have plenty to spark a child’s imagination, and they make great gifts.” —Ed Barker, Director, Sustainable Food Supply Chains, Green America’s Center for Sustainability Solutions 

“I think Earth Mama Angel Baby’s Morning Wellness aromatherapy spray is designed primarily to help pregnant women with morning sickness, but it does much more. It smells awesome and can be a great way to replace perfumes or air fresheners. I especially liked that its uplifting scent gave me a boost when I was sleep-deprived.” —Christy Schwengel, Major Gifts Officer 

“Snuggly socks from RocknSocks offer real warmth, bright colors, and a variety of lengths for kids and teens. All of their stylish socks are made in the USA from recycled cotton and certified Oeko-Tex 100 (see p. 65).” —Fran Teplitz, Executive Co-Director 

“Want a fun, creative board game that doesn’t leave the child who lost feeling blue? Try a cooperative board game like The Secret Door, sold by Bella Luna Toys. Cooperative games are just as fun as Monopoly or Life, but a lot less cutthroat since all of the players work together to solve a common problem. (Maybe we should send copies to our members of Congress!)” —Rob Hanson, Membership Marketing Manager

“Pura Stainless bottles are great because they are completely plastic-free, easy to clean, and you can use the same bottle from infancy to adult. The lids are interchangeable so your bottle can go from a baby bottle to a sports bottle in a few twists.” —Kristin Brower, Development Manager

“Eco-friendly paint kits from Natural Earth Paints, LLC are handcrafted, all-natural and vegan, and free of toxic chemicals. They come in individual powder packets, so half of the fun is mixing up the paint itself. ” —Tracy Fernandez Rysavy, Editor-in-Chief

Top image: Lullaby Earth Breeze Breathable 2-Stage Crib Mattress

We Clean Green... 

Organic ...Non -Toxic - Odorless...Non- Hazardous material...Not a hazardous substance according to CLP...Favorable classification according to GHS Biodegradable...

Prestige Green Touch Cleaners is your Environmentally Safe, Eco-Friendly Full Service Dry Cleaners. We have state-of-the-art Dry Cleaning & Laundry technology for all fabric care. Some of the fabrics we clean include suede, leather & fur. Our other services include Re-dying & alterations. A long history of being a reputable dry cleaner, Building relationships with our customers by giving them the attention that they deserve. Quality and customer service is always the number one priorities. Our ability to remove difficult stains, our high-quality alterations, and repairs, we also feature a convenient pickup & delivery service. We use the most advanced cleaning methods and the best soaps and detergents in both our Dry Cleaning Wet Cleaning & Laundry processes to bring new “life” into your wardrobe. No other cleaners can offer you the service and quality that Prestige Green Touch Cleaners can offer.

We can clean anything from formal wear to wedding gowns.

Washington, D.C.—November 9, 2017— With Thanksgiving and the holiday season around the corner, Green America released a valuable guide for consumers navigating the cornucopia of vague and often confusing food labels. “The ABCs of Food Labeling” is a guide to help consumers understand which labels certify food that was produced with adherence to a set of verifiable criteria, and which labels are just cheap marketing ploys. As it turns out, many of the labels and certifications mean a lot less than you think!

The new guide covers labels for animal welfare, environmental and health concerns, labor conditions, and the presence of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The guide rates each label with one through five stars, and evaluates impacts on environment and human health, whether the label represents a clearly defined legal or regulatory standard and whether the standards set forth by the label are subjected to third-party certification or audit.

“Purchasing foods with meaningful labels is a critical way to support socially and environmentally responsible food production,” said Anna Meyer, the food campaigns director at Green America. “Autumn is a season of great eating and great cooking! Keep a printed copy of the ABCs of Food Labeling with your reusable grocery bags or access the list from your phone.”

The guide also offers helpful tips and interesting facts, including:

• Organic is always Non-GMO: When a food is labeled USDA organic, that means it cannot be produced using genetic engineering (GE) or ingredients derived from GE crops. Shop carefully when buying corn, soy alfalfa, sugar, canola, cotton, papaya, zucchini, and summer squash, as well as animal products, which most often come from animals that have been fed GE crops.
• Want humane food? Meet the humans producing it: One of the best ways to know what animal stewardship practices were involved in producing your food is to meet your farmer! Buying meat, dairy, and eggs at your local farmer’s market, or through a CSA, allows you to have a conversation with the farmers that produce your food. Ask them questions about humane practices and support local, ethical farms.
• Shop smart: Access other resources while you’re at the store. Animal Welfare Alliance has an app that exposes whether animal product labels are trustworthy. Label Lookup and Non-GMO Project Shopping Guide are apps that serve a similar function for packaged goods. The app Locavore helps you find farmers markets and locally produced food near you.

“The ABCs of Food Labeling” is available for free download at https://www.greenamerica.org/abcs-food-labels.

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 and individuals to solve today’s social and environmental problems. http://www.GreenAmerica.org

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

Foundations & Major Gifts Manager, Center for Sustainability Solutions

Hours: 32 hours/week, flexible 4-work week (full time)

Salary: $56,000 - 66,000, contingent on experience

Benefits: Excellent benefits package, including health insurance, dental & vision coverage, sick days, holidays, and vacation

Supervisor: Director, Center for Sustainability Solutions

Deadline: January 31, 2018

Organizational Background

Green America is a national non-profit organization that mobilizes consumers, investors, and businesses to use their economic power to create an environmentally sustainable and socially just economy. We create change in the world with three strategic hubs: 1) Our Consumer Education & Action campaigns create consumer demand that sends signals to the market calling for change, 2) Our Green Business Network is proving that green innovation is not only good for people and our planet, it is also profitable and sustainable, and 3) Our Center for Sustainability Solutions brings together diverse stakeholders along entire supply chains to solve complex sustainability problems that no single business, organization, or leader can solve alone.

We organize our national network of 250,000+ consumer activists, 2,000 Green Business Network members, and our growing list of corporate and supply chain partners around four core issue areas: 1) Safe Food & Sustainable Agriculture, 2) Clean Energy & Climate Action, 3) Fair Labor & Social Justice, and 4) Responsible Finance & Better Banking.
 

The Center for Sustainability Solutions at Green America supports several “Innovation Networks” – focused groups of stakeholders with the objective of making significant, industry-wide system change. The program team of the Center for Sustainability Solutions provides strategic direction, stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and program management for participating individuals and companies in each Innovation Network. Our current networks are focused on sustainable agriculture (non-GMO and Carbon Farming supply chains) and Clean Electronics (removing toxic substances harmful to people and planet from supply chains).

Seeking a Foundations & Major Gifts Manager for the Center for Sustainability Solutions

We seek an experienced Foundations & Major Gifts Manager who can hit the ground running to play a major role in raising new major donor, foundation, and government grant support for Green America’s Center for Sustainability Solutions. This includes cultivation of new major donor prospects; researching and identifying possible foundation support, writing letters of inquiry and full proposals for foundation grant applications, exploring government grant opportunities, and the launching of a new initiative – the Thought Leader Network. We expect the Foundations & Major Gifts Manager to manage a portfolio of 20-30 major donors, build the major donor pipeline with increased and new gifts, oversee the Center’s foundation fundraising, and effectively coordinate with Green America’s President & CEO, the Center Director, and the Director of Development.

The position may involve frequent domestic travel (5-8 times per year; up to 15-20% of time). The position would be based in Washington, DC at the Green America offices.

Duties and Responsibilities

Design and Implementation of an effective development strategy. Create and execute a comprehensive plan to expand our base of support and achieve fundraising targets for the Center for Sustainability Solutions. Proactively identify and pursue foundations, relevant government grants, and prospective major funders with potential to support the Center and/or specific programs and initiatives in our sustainable agriculture, clean electronics, and other working groups as they develop. Expand the breadth and depth of major donor and foundation support, and continually grow the funding pipeline across time.

Coordinate with Innovation Networks within the Center to identify intersection of funder priorities and key program areas. Support Center team to identify new programs/initiatives based on the existing and emerging priority areas of foundations and existing/prospective major funders. Liaise with funders and program staff to provide insight and resources for Center program development strategy.

Take leading role in launch of Thought Leader Network. Help develop strategy and recruit members who will play both an advisory and funding role for the Center. Support Center Director and team with launch of this “President’s Council-like” network to grow the Center and Green America.

Play a direct, lead role in forging productive long-term relationships – yielding significant sustained support – with existing and prospective major donors and foundation executives and government agencies. Achieve fundraising targets for major donors, foundations and government funders. Build relationships based on credibility, trust, and knowledge/understanding of prospective supporters’ values and priorities and how they align with Green America’s mission.

Effectively articulate Green America’s mission, objectives, programs, and impacts. Participate in creating compelling, effective fundraising messages and collateral. Effectively convey the organization’s mission, objectives, programs, impacts and asks in one-on-one conversations and with larger groups. Play a significant role in helping to increase Green America’s profile as a green thought/action leader within funding networks.

Work with the President & CEO, Center Director, Development Director, and others in Green America’s fundraising efforts. Proactively identify when it will be effective to strategically involve leadership staff in fundraising efforts, and manage/coordinate their targeted participation. Track, manage and pursue leads, prospects and follow-ups passed on by others in the organization.

Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 4-6 years of proven high-level major gift fundraising experience.
• Fundraising experience in the sustainable food/agricultural sector highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with government grant and/or foundations, including conducting research, meeting with program officers, producing successful letters of inquiry, proposals and reports.
• Demonstrated relationship building experience and solicitation of major gifts ($10,000+).
• Strong experience with fundraising management tool Raiser’s Edge and Zoho CRM
• Demonstrated ability to utilize technology and donor databases to manage fundraising efforts, track actions, and build funder relationships.
• Donor research skills and the ability to effectively identify, segment, and prioritize prospective major donors and foundations.
• Proven ability to effectively work in coordination with other team leaders.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Exemplary communications skills, interpersonal skills, professionalism, and ability to build long-term relationships with key stakeholders.
• Excellent written skills with demonstrated ability to craft compelling, effective messaging and collateral for fundraising purposes.
• Strong intrinsic interest in issues directly related to Green America’s mission.
• Ability to obtain a deep understanding of Green America’s main program areas (Safe Food & Sustainable Agriculture, Clean Energy & Climate Action, Fair Labor & Social Justice, and Responsible Finance & Better Banking), and communicate this understanding to donors.
• Sustainable Agriculture and Food experience and strong relationships in this field a plus.
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification (or working toward certification) also a plus.

How to Apply:

Send cover letter and resume to Center for Sustainability Solutions, Green America, 1612 K Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20006, or email centerjobs@greenamerica.org.

No calls, please.

Green America is an equal opportunity employer.

Conspire Design + Photography empowers using modern methods in Feng Shui and Portraiture serving the Denver Metro Area and beyond. The Conspire Design Method™ teaches you how to design a living space that aligns with your dreams and goals. With the premise that your external environment supports your internal thoughts we work with natures elements and a whole health consciousness using concepts from yoga, modern feng shui, and psychology to make a plan for living your best. Conspire Design provides consults, workshops and speaking events accredited by the Western School of Feng Shui Speakers Guild and the International Feng Shui Guild. Consider a new mantra of whole health in MIND BODY SPIRIT + SPACE as an investment that lasts much longer than the current trends. Portraiture providing green options in the print process and digital goods. Entrepreneurial lifestyle and headshots for your professional website, artistic portraits in natural surroundings near you for engagements, seniors, and family rituals and celebrations. Contact us today to conspire!

Jewelry from Discount and Department Stores

Problems: Adult and children costume jewelry from stores such as Claire’s, Walmart, Target, Forever 21, Walmart, H&M, and Icing may contain toxic lead and cadmium.  Mining for stones and metals used in more expensive jewelry causes environmental damage, unsafe working conditions, and violent and lethal conflict. 

Better Options: High-quality jewelry made by fair trade artisans.

Box of Un-certified Chocolates

Problems: Cacao can come from forced child labor and underpaid farmers and workers.  Chocolates most likely contain sugar and soy lecithin that are genetically engineered (GMOs), and may contain unhealthy artificial flavors. 

Better Options: Fair trade and organic chocolates

Non-Organic Body Care Gift Sets

Problems: Soaps, lotions, etc. contain parabens, phthalates preservatives, and synthetic fragrances, which cause endocrine and hormone disruption, thyroid problems, infertility, and cancer. 

Better Options: Products with only nontoxic, safe ingredients.

Toy Guns

Problems: Made of plastic which comes from petroleum and toxic chemicals, often made in sweatshops overseas, and send a violent message to children. 

Better Options: Peaceful toys, made in the USA from nontoxic and sustainable materials.

Barbie Dolls

Problems: Made of plastic which comes from petroleum, made by low-wage workers overseas, and affects young girls and their body image. 

Better Options: Positive-image dolls; Fair trade and/or made in the USA out of non-toxic, sustainable materials.

Gift Cards to Big-Box and “Fast Fashion” Stores

Photo by Ken Wolter.

Problems: Many products from stores like Walmart, Target, and H&M are made with unsustainable materials, plastic (from petroleum), and toxic chemicals; produced in sweatshops and dangerous working conditions. Big-box retailers also pay some of the lowest staff wages. 

Better Options: Fair trade, sustainable, unique gifts.

Conventional Candles

 Problems: Often made from paraffin wax which is a petroleum by-product and produces soot when burned, genetically engineered (GMO) soy, wicks with lead, and toxic synthetic fragrances. 

Better Options: Beeswax and non-GMO soy candles with essential oils for fragrance. 

Scarves, Mittens, Hats from Department and Discount Stores

Problems: Many mainstream stores such as Gap and Target use sweatshop labor and unsustainable fibers. 

Better Options: Sustainable, fair trade businesses and products that are handmade and/or from reclaimed materials. 

Virgin-Paper Journals and Cards

Problems: Virgin forests are destroyed to make paper, affecting watersheds, air quality, animal habitat, and climate change.

Better Options: Made from 100 percent recycled paper or non-tree paper.  Even better is non-tree paper that provides a sustainable income and protects animals.

Athletic Gear/Yoga Mat from Chain Stores

Problems: Made of synthetic and potentially unhealthy materials, under bad working conditions. 

Better Options: Sustainable, fair trade businesses and products. 

Coming soon.

Coming soon.

Coming soon.

Coming soon.

This gift guide includes our favorite green gift products, and the companies behind them are committed to environmental and humanitarian missions. Skip the crowds at the store, and shop green for everyone on your list.

For the Fashionable:

Fair trade jewelry from Coco Loco is crafted with the purpose of sustaining both culture and environment. The design of these handmade Burmese Hoops ($35) are influenced by the Hindi culture of the artisans who made it.

For the Outdoorsy Person:

This Cannabis Cottage Bird House ($69.95) from Gardener’s Supply is made with an outdoor water-based non-toxic paint and adds a fun home for some flying visitors!

Encourage your loved ones to be themselves, stay hydrated, and avoid single-use water bottles! The Glass plastic-free soulbottle 0.6 L ($26) from Life Without Plastic is made of Venetian glass and sports a funky, easy-to-use swing-top cap made of ceramic, stainless steel and natural rubber. Paul Berndt designed this bottle, which encourages a be-yourself motto.

Gardener Supply’s Solar Bottle Lantern Kit ($14.95) provides an easy way to upcycle any glass bottle you wish into a beautiful night-time yard or garden accent that can be used year-round. The kit includes a steel hanger, a rubber stopper with a small solar panel, and a battery with a string of LED lights attached.

For the Homebody:

Each of Sunbeam Candles’ Manifestations Aromatherapy Pillars ($28.99) comes in a deep color and a unique scent, courtesy of eco-friendly dyes and natural essential oil blends. Made to “celebrate the people and occasions in our lives,” the candles come in Meditation, Healing, Immunity, Goddess, Candle for Peace, Transformation, Gratitude, Blessing Candle, Birthday Candle, and Queen Bee. All Sunbeam candles are made in a 100-percent solar-powered studio, from pure beeswax and GMO-free soy wax with cotton wicks.

EcoChoices’ Grape Seed Crush Body Scrub ($14.75) is a true aromatic experience of crushed grape seeds from the wine country. The natural oils from the seeds will hydrate your skin for a unique experience and smooth, polished look.

Need a personalized gift for a lot of people? ECO Promotional Products’ bamboo items (range of prices). Dozens of options including utensils, awards, pens, and more. Long-lasting bamboo is naturally anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.

For the Pets:

This Snuggle Sleeping Bag for Cats (prices range from $31.95 to $59.95 depending on size) from Purrfect Play (2016 People & Planet Finalist) comes in several sizes and is made with soft dye free natural white organic cotton.

If it’s a pet plaything you’re after, try the company’s organic cotton or recycled wool Jingle Snakes for cat (cloth snakes with bells hidden inside, $11.95-$18.95) or organic cotton Tug Toys ($12.95-$18.95) for dogs. 

About Our People & Planet Award

Green America’s People & Planet Award recognizes businesses for their dedication to a green economy. Seasonally, we award three $5,000 cash prizes in a range of green business categories, such as zero waste, worker empowerment, and sustainable food. The public nominates businesses for recognition.

Back to the Food Labels Guide

100% USDA Organic

• USDA National Organic Program (NOP) sets regulations and labeling requirements.
• Verification guaranteed by annual unannounced or announced inspections, investigations of complaints, and enforcement penalties.
• 100% organic labeled products must contain only organically produced ingredients and processing aids not including water and salt.
• Organic ingredients are grown, handled, and processed without the use of pesticides or other synthetic chemicals and fertilizers.
• Bioengineering is not permitted, so that means no GE (genetically engineered) ingredients
• The USDA organic certification does allow for monoculture crop production.
• The organic certification does not represent the highest standard in animal welfare. In order to ensure high animal welfare it is best to purchase products where USDA organic is accompanied by a credible third-party animal welfare certification. 

B Corp Certification

• The B Corp certification is a third-party certification verified by B Lab, a non-profit organization.
• B Corp ensures its members have high standards for environmental and social responsibility.
• B Corp companies must commit to take steps to improve the treatment of their employees, their community, and the environment.

Certified Transitional Organic

• Independently verified by QAI (Quality Assurance International) through step-by-step benchmarks and inspections.
• This certification helps farmers transition from conventional to organic practices by creating a better market for their products while they are transitioning, allowing them to pay for the cost of going organic.
• Farms have three years under the label to become USDA certified organic, with each year having specific benchmarks farms must meet along the way.
• This will create more organic acreage by giving farmers the financial security to transition to better practices.

Certified Non-GMO by AGW

• Certified Non-GMO is a standard from the organization A Greener World (AGW), who is also behind the Animal Welfare Approved standard.
• This standard can not stand alone and can only be applied in addition to the Animal Welfare Approved standard.
• The Certified Non-GMO standard applies to livestock feed and inputs; ensuring a product is non-GMO throughout the entire supply chain.
• AGW requires regular testing.

Demeter Certified Biodynamic

• This is a certification given by Demeter Association Inc. that requires farmers to apply and then pass inspections.
• Farmers must follow biodynamic principles, meaning the soil, plants, animals, and humans must work together as a holistic organism.
• On-farm recycling of nutrients and composting must be demonstrated. Farms must have minimal dependence on outside sources for synthetic fertilizers and pest control.
• Conscientious water conservation and the setting aside of land for biodiversity are practiced.

Made With Organic Ingredients

• USDA National Organic Program (NOP) sets regulations and labeling requirements.
• Verification guaranteed by annual unannounced or announced inspections, investigations of complaints, and enforcement penalties.
• Includes products that contain at least 70% organic ingredients.
• Remaining 30% of ingredients must be from USDA approved list
• Organic ingredients are grown, handled, and processed without the use of pesticides or other synthetic chemicals and fertilizers.
• Bioengineering is not permitted, that means no GE (genetically engineered) ingredients. The standard allows for monoculture crop production. 
• The organic certification does not represent the highest standard in animal welfare. In order to ensure high animal welfare it is best to purchase products where USDA organic is accompanied by a credible third-party animal welfare certification. 

Natural

• The USDA states that products should not contain artificial ingredients or added colors and must be minimally processed. Manufacturers should define their use of the term on the package.
• Beyond the definition above (which is only applicable to meat products and is not verified) there is no set standard or enforcement mechanism.

Non-GMO (Unverified)

• Beware of non-GMO claims that are unverified. If a label has any GMO claims that are not verified by the USDA or a third-party verification the claim is not backed by any standard. 
• It is best to look for a third-party verification, as the USDA does not include animal feed in its non-GMO requirements; meaning that an animal product can be considered non-GMO even if the animal was fed GMOs. The only way to ensure a product is non-GMO throughout its entire supply chain is through a third-party verification. 

Non-GMO Project Verified

• Trustworthy third-party verified certification that guarantees products do not contain genetically engineered ingredients above a set threshold.
• GMO contamination must be below .25% for seeds, .9% for food and skin products, 1.5% for cleaning products and textiles, and 5% for animal feed and supplements.
• Compliance is ensured through analytical testing and corrective actions.

 

Organic is Non-GMO

REMEMBER: When a food is labeled USDA organic that means it cannot be produced using genetic engineering (GE) or use ingredients derived from GE crops. Shop carefully when buying corn, soy alfalfa, sugar, canola, cotton, papaya, zucchini, and summer squash, as well as animal products, which most often come from animals that have been fed GE crops. Unless organic, these items are most likely derived from genetic engineering. Organic certification goes beyond non-gmo certification to address other key components of sustainable agriculture. However, organic does not require testing for the presence of GMOs. In order to ensure that there is not GE material in your food, you should purchase products that are organic and have a third-party non-GMO certification. 

NSF Non-GMO True North

• Standards enforced by National Science Foundation (NSF) through unannounced audits.
• Products verified by NSF Non-GMO True North contain less than .9% GE contents or less than 5% for feed.
• Regulates feed for livestock, ensuring feed from GE crops is not used through an animal's lifecycle.
• Compliance is ensured through analytical testing and corrective accounts.

Organic

• USDA National Organic Program (NOP) sets regulations and labeling requirements.
• Verification guaranteed by annual announced or unannounced inspections, investigations of complaints, and enforcing penalties.
• Must contain at least 95% ingredients produced organically excluding water and salt. Remaining 5% if ingredients myst be from a USDA approved list. 
• Organic ingredients are grown, handled and processed without the use of pesticides or other synthetic chemicals and fertilizers.
• Bioengineering is not permitted, product does not contain any GE ingredients.The organic certification does allow for monoculture crop production.
• The organic certification does not represent the highest standard in animal welfare. In order to ensure high animal welfare it is best to purchase products where USDA organic is accompanied by a credible third-party animal welfare certification. 

Rainforest Alliance Certified/UTZ

• Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) sets criteria for products to be certified.
• This certification emphasizes the yield of farmers and has no guaranteed price paid to farmers.
• Prohibits child labor and has an environmental component that addresses biodiversity, natural resources conservation, and sustainable agriculture.
• Allows multi-ingredient products to be certified without making it clear what percentage of ingredients are certified. Look for single ingredient products with this label, such as coffee beans. 

Salmon Safe

• The Salmon Safe label is put on products that are produced in a way that minimizes pollution in rivers and wetlands to protect native salmon.
• This includes limiting pesticides, improving irrigation practices, and planting trees by rivers.
• These products are verified by a third-party.

Sustainably Grown Certified

• Certified by SCS Global Services, a third-party organization that provides environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. 
• This certification addresses a broad range of environmental, social, and economic sustainability issues pertaining to crop production. (Note: this standard does not address animal husbandry or welfare). 
• Specific environmental protection issues addressed include production system parameters, soil and water resources, air quality, climate change, ecosystem protection, energy efficiency, and waste management. 
• Social responsibility requirements cover work agreements, wages and benefits, working hours, child labor, non-discrimination and freedom of association, human resource management, health and safety, and community relations. 
• Economic sustainability issues addressed include business accounting and reporting, continuity and resilience, community economic engagement, and product quality and safety. 

 

How we rated the labels

1. First, we considered whether the label evaluates a practice that could lead to measurable benefits. For example, organic labels are certifying practices that prohibit the use of synthetic chemicals and therefore seek to reduce impacts on the environment and human health. This leads to measurable benefits. By contrast, “farm fresh” is meaningless since it does not define practices that create any measurable benefits.

2. We then looked at whether the label represents a legal or regulatory standard that is clearly defined. For example, the USDA organic standards are clearly defined by the USDA, and those standards are publicly available. By contrast, the words “naturally raised” are not regulated, and are meaningless.

3. We then considered whether the standards set forth by the label are subjected to third-party certification or audit. The use of an outside certifier and/or auditor helps to prevent greenwashing that can easily occur with self-regulated labeling.

Labels that received the highest marks from Green America (4 to 5 stars) are those that scored the highest on the criteria above.

Whether you're buying milk, eggs, or meat, animal welfare is an important consideration when grocery shopping. Food labels and certifications are the key for deciphering ethically made products.

Back to the Food Labels Guide

American Grassfed Approved

• American Grass Fed Association establishes standards, compliance is ensured by FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Services) of the USDA.
• Animals are fed a 100-percent forage diet and are never confined to feed lots.
• Animals are never fed antibiotics or hormones and are born and raised on American family farms.
• Third-party audits assure compliance.

American Humane Certified

• Certification given by Humane Heartland after an application and audit.
• Does not require pasture time for animals, permits cages, and allows beak-cutting.
• Concerns have been raised regarding audits and and failure to put limits on the distance live farm animals can be transported (a traumatic experience for animals).

Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW

• A Greener World (AGW) audits, certifies, and supports farmers.
• AGW is a non-profit organization and does not charge farmers for AWA certification. 
• Animals have continuous access to pasture or range and are not put in feedlots.
• Cage confinement, horomones, and preventative or growth-promoting antibiotics are prohibited. 

Antibiotic-Free

• Use of this claims is not backed by any standard. 
• This claim can be verified through the USDA Process Verified program. The USDA Process Verified program is a verification of paperwork and does not require an audit. 

Certified Grassfed by AGW

• Certified Grassfed is a standard from A Greener World (AGW), a nonprofit organizatoim, that also developed the Animal Welfare Approved standard.
• This standard can not stand alone and can only be applied in addition to the Animal Welfare Approved standard.
• The standard is 100% grass/forage based and compliance to the standard is monitored through audits.
• AGW encourages sustainable pasture management with attention to plant biodiversity.
• The grassfed standard and allowed exceptions to the standard are set to ensure the highlest level of animal welfare.

Raised Without Antibiotics/No Antibiotics Administered/Added

• The USDA grants these labels if it receives documentation that animals were not given antibiotics during their lives. 
• This label does not require a physical audit or third-party assessment and is granted solely from a signed affidavit. 

Cage-Free

• Cage-free labels do not require any third-party certification.
• Cages are prohibited but animals are not required to have access to sunlight, animals can be tightly crowded with movement restricted.
• Allows beak-cutting and starvation-based forced molting.
• Does not regulate feed or antibiotic use.

Certified Humane Raised and Handled 

• Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC) is a non-profit organization that verifies this certification.
• Continuous outdoor access required for ruminants (cattle, goats, and sheep).
• Outdoor access not required for birds and pigs unless the words “free range” or “pasture”’ also appear on the package.
• If indoors, adequate bedding, space, and enrichment are provided for birds and pigs.
• Cage confinement, hormones, and non-therapeutic antibiotics are prohibited.
• Feed lots with standards better than conventional feed lots are allowed for limited periods of time.

Farm Fresh

• Not regulated by a third-party verifier, no relevance to animal welfare.

 

Humanely Local

One of the best ways to know what animal stewardship practices were involved in producing your food is to meet your farmer! Buying meat, dairy, and eggs at your local farmer’s market, or through a CSA (community supported agriculture), allows you to have a conversation with the farmers that produce your food. You can ask them questions about humane practices and support local, ethical farms.

Free-Range/Free-Roaming (USDA)

• The term free-range is not regulated by the USDA except when applied to chickens and turkeys raised for meat.
• It must be verified that animals have “access to the outdoors” but the quality of this access is not specified so it could be a very small space for a very short time; conditions of farms with this label vary greatly
• Does not regulate feed.

Global Animal Partnership (GAP)

• The Global Animal Partnership (GAP) has a 5+-step rating program for animals raised for meat (this does not include milk).
• The higher the step (1 is the lowest, 5+ is the highest), the stricter the requirements for animal welfare and the more natural the animals’ environment. The steps build on each other encompassing the standards of the steps preceding them.
• It is important to note that the 5-star rating is for GAP Step 6.
• Added Hormones and antibiotics are prohibited at all steps.
• Standards are comprehensive including breeding stock (placement for poultry) through to slaughter for all animals except beef (coming later this year), and laying hens (coming next version)
• GAP requires audits on single every farm every 15 months to ensure compliance – no group, or sampling protocols permitted.

Grain-Fed

• Feeding ruminants grain instead of vegetation causes severe digestive problems and increases the likelihood of infection, contributing to the increased used of antibiotics. 

Grass-Fed

• The USDA grass-fed label has been withdrawn and farms applying to the program will no longer be verified.

Humanley Raised/Humanely Handled

• The USDA does not define or regulate these terms.
• Check for third-party verified labels listed above and below for meaningful animal welfare claims.

Naturally Raised

• The USDA does not define or regulate this term.

No Hormones Added/No Hormones Administered (USDA)

• This label is certified by the USDA. It should be noted that administration of hormones is illegal for pork and poultry, so the claim is meaningless on those products. 
• Producers must prove no hormones were administered during the animal’s life.
• No relevance to any other aspects of animal welfare.

Pasture Raised/Pasture-Grown/Pastured

• There are no legal definitions for these terms, companies can put this label on their products without third-party verification.

Pennsylvania Certified Organic 100% Grassfed

• This certification uses the USDA organic standard as its baseline and ensures that ruminants are 100% grassfed, above and beyond the USDA organic standard for time on pasture.
• This is a third-party verification of products that are sourced from animals raised on pasture.

Validus Animal Welfare Certified

• Certifications hold accreditations from ISO 9001:2005, PAACO, USDA PVP and USDA ISO TS 34700 Animal Welfare Assessment Programs.
• Standards are owned and administered by Validus, an independent certification company, but governed by external expert advisory committees.
• Certification affirms that an operation has met the published Validus animal welfare standards with yearly on-site audits of each location to ensure compliance
• Certification does not address hormone-use, antibiotic-use, feed type, or access to the outdoors.

 

How we rated the labels

1. First, we considered whether the label evaluates a practice that could lead to measurable benefits. For example, organic labels are certifying practices that prohibit the use of synthetic chemicals and therefore seek to reduce impacts on the environment and human health. This leads to measurable benefits. By contrast, “farm fresh” is meaningless since it does not define practices that create any measurable benefits.

2. We then looked at whether the label represents a legal or regulatory standard that is clearly defined. For example, the USDA organic standards are clearly defined by the USDA, and those standards are publicly available. By contrast, the words “naturally raised” are not regulated, and are meaningless.

3. We then considered whether the standards set forth by the label are subjected to third-party certification or audit. The use of an outside certifier and/or auditor helps to prevent greenwashing that can easily occur with self-regulated labeling.

Labels that received the highest marks from Green America (4 to 5 stars) are those that scored the highest on the criteria above.

Buena Onda Games sells a line of fun, soft, safe packable toys - mostly that fly - to get kids and grownups moving and having a blast, wherever they are. Safe for indoors and out, the Pocket Disc is the flagship product (an all cotton frisbee alternative). All our products are handmade by the Maya of Guatemala under strict Fair Trade and Green Business practices.

Sustainable Investing Guide shows how to invest fossil-free

Climate change is reshaping our world in big and small ways. From melting icebergs to erratic and extreme weather to changed ocean ecosystems, the repercussions of using fossil fuels are felt here and around the world.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its State of the Global Climate 2024 Report, which concluded that 2024 marked a peak in the visible effects of human-induced climate change. It was the hottest year in 175 observational years.

Indeed, UN Secretary General António Guterres called climate change a “ticking time bomb.”

Yet, there are reasons for hope. We can limit carbon emissions and have never been better equipped to solve the climate challenge.

But we must act quickly to defuse this time bomb. As Guterres said, “we must do everything we can, everywhere we can, all at once.”

The Green Century Funds and Green America have been leading supporters of fossil fuel free investing for more than a decade. That’s why we updated the Sustainable Investing Guide — to help you determine what is in your investments, align them with your values, and propel your interest in sustainable investing.

It is urgent to act — before our actions can no longer stop the worst effects of climate change. We hope this guide provides you with the requisite information and inspiration to help build a brighter future.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE

Green America assumes no legal or financial responsibility for the practices, products, or services of any businesses listed. Please read all materials carefully prior to investing.

Back to Financial Products & Services

Looking for your next step in the world of green finance? The following asset management firms are able to assist higher-net-worth individuals in establishing customized fossil-free portfolios upon request. They may also help you shift the assets of your house of worship, university, or pension plan.

• 1919 Investment Counsel
• Amalgamated Investment Services
• Appleseed Capital
• Arjuna Capital
• Boston Common Asset Management
• Boston Trust Walden
• Calvert Asset Management
• Clean Yield Asset Management
• Earth Equity Advisors
• First Affirmative Financial Network
• Green Alpha Advisors
• Horizon Investment Services
• Impax Asset Management
• Jantz Management LLC
• JPS Global Investments
• Newground Social Investment
• North Sky Capital
• Northstar Asset Management, Inc.
• The Sustainability Group
• Trillium Asset Management
• Veris Wealth Partners
• Vision Capital Investment
• Washington Square Capital Management
• Zevin Asset Management

Green America assumes no legal or financial responsibility for the practices, products, or services of any businesses listed. Please read all materials carefully prior to investing.

Back to Financial Products & Services

Below is a selection of the hundreds of fossil-free mutual funds and exchange-traded funds available for investment. For a full list, visit As You Sow's Fossil Free Funds.

Broad-Based Mutual Funds that Exclude Fossil-Fuel Companies by Policy

Appleseed Fund

The Fund has divested its long positions in fossil-fuel companies in order to pursue a fossil-fuel free investment strategy.

Democratic Large Cap Core ETF

Designed to provide similar risk and performance as the S&P 500 but it only includes companies that have made over 75% of their political contributions to Democratic causes and candidates.

Etho Capital Climate Leadership U.S. ETF

The first diversified, fossil-free, sustainable, and responsible U.S. ETF.

Green Century Balanced Fund

This fund excludes fossil-fuel companies, and in 2009 became the first fund to release a carbon-footprint report of its holdings: 66 percent smaller than the S&P 500.

Green Century Equity Fund

Since April 1, 2014, the Equity Fund is divested of all fossil-fuel companies. The fund already excluded coal and oil companies; Green Century has now screened out natural gas.

Green Century International Index Fund

The first responsible and diversified international index fund (that is fossil fuel-free) that invests in companies chosen for their outstanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings in 22 developed countries.

Parnassus Mutual Funds

These funds avoid companies engaged in the production, manufacturing, or refining of fossil fuels.

Green Alpha Investment Portfolios

Green Alpha Advisors believes that fossil fuels disrupt the economy and its underlying ecosystems, do not represent solutions, and have no place in Green Alpha portfolios.

Sphere 500 Climate Fund

Low-fee index fund that invests in the top 500 biggest US companies, minus fossil fuels, and votes its shares in the remaining companies to encourage climate action.

Trillium ESG Core Equity

Invests across the range of market capitalizations and economic sectors in companies that meet Trillium’s sustainability criteria. This strategy has no direct exposure to fossil fuels.

Clean Energy Mutual Funds

Impax Global Environmental Markets Fund

While excluding fossil fuels, this fund also invests in clean energy and energy efficiency, pollution control, waste management, and water infrastructure.

Invesco Sustainable ETFs

Sustainability focused investors can choose ETFs that reflect their values and help to make an impact in key areas, such as solar power, clean energy, water scarcity, or green building efficiency.

Community Development Mutual Funds (Fossil-Free)

Access Capital Community Investment Fund

Because of this fund’s focus on community investing, it is not invested in fossil fuel companies.

CCM Community Impact Bond Fund

The CRA Fund focuses on community development, including affordable housing, job creation, and redevelopment of blighted communities.

Green America assumes no legal or financial responsibility for the practices, products, or services of any businesses listed. Please read all materials carefully prior to investing.

Back to Financial Products & Services

Where you put your money can change the world. Learn more about these socially responsible financial planners and investment consultants:

AIO Financial Link

AIO Financial is a fee-only financial planning firm that specializes in Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). SRI is an investment strategy seeking to maximize both financial return and social good. AIO Financial can address many issues, including climate change, thorough investment screening (fossil fuel-free investing), shareholder advocacy, and community investment.

Amalgamated Investment Services

Amalgamated Investment Services (AIS) is a division of Amalgamated Bank -- America’s socially responsible bank and a Certified B-Corp public benefit corporation. Our mission is to drive positive change in the world by aligning our client’s investments with their values. To accomplish this, we offer full-service wealth management including both negative/positive ESG screening and impact investing. Our proprietary 100% Fossil Fuel Free Portfolios are completely divested from the fossil fuel industry while seeking to mitigate climate change, as well as promote environmental sustainability, gender equality, and social and racial justice. Please see complete disclosures on our website.

Capital Intelligence Associates

Capital Intelligence Associates is a Southern California-based full-service financial planning firm specializing in multi-generational wealth management, philanthropic planning, and socially responsible investing. They can develop fossil fuel-free portfolios for both individual and institutional clients.

Carbon Collective Investing

Carbon Collective Investing is an online investment advisor that creates sustainable investment portfolios that divest from fossil fuels and reinvest in climate solutions. We tend to be a good fit for investors who need help rolling over an old 401k from a past employer into a climate friendly portfolio, and include people doing mission driven work in climatetech, policy advocacy, and just making our world better. To find out more, visit carboncollective.co

Effective Assets

Specializing in Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) for over 29 years, Effective Assets provides goal-oriented, fee-based financial planning to individuals, families, and business owners. Our services include values-based retirement and life planning, SRI and fossil-fuel free portfolio management, and investment consulting to non-profits and social enterprises.

Encore Wealth Advisors

Encore Wealth Advisors is helping to solve the climate crisis by supporting individuals, families, non-profits and small businesses in divesting of fossil fuel investments. They accomplish this by offering a values based wealth management process, utilizing fossil-free investment portfolios, that helps clients achieve their financial, social and environmental goals.

First Affirmative Financial Network

With 25 years of experience serving Green America members with their social investing needs, First Affirmative and its nationwide network of 100 associated advisors can develop fossil-free portfolios using mutual funds, exchange traded funds, and individual securities as appropriate to your needs.

Greenvest

Greenvest’s commitment to environmentally responsible investing for our clients naturally extends to creating fossil fuel-free portfolios. We are also dedicated to providing true personal investment counseling in an age of increasingly mechanized investing, and to serving the financial needs of the 99%.

Hansen’s Advisory Services, Inc.

Hansen’s Advisory Services, Inc. (HAS) works with clients who wish to invest their money in a way that can create a world in which we all prosper. We are involved in presenting workshops on Fossil Free Funds, along with Nuclear Free funds and the “Don’t Bank on the Bomb” program for a nuclear free world.

Horizons Sustainable Financial Services

Horizons Sustainable Financial Services offers a line of well diversified, zero-carbon energy mutual fund portfolios with no exposure to any companies directly involved in the production of fossil fuels. The portfolios are built on a “sustainable, responsible, impact” (“SRI”) investing foundation, using mutual funds from SRI industry leaders.

Longwave Financial

All too often, numbers on a page feel too disconnected from our day-to-day lives. It’s hard to know what the right decisions are and how to make them. That’s why our team sits at the center of your financial life, helping you coordinate all the details so you feel confident and known. At Longwave, your future is never left to guesswork. Our financial planning process is a framework to help you better understand your entire financial picture and bring your future into focus. We're empowered with the freedom to work openly and help interested clients pursue impact investing opportunities or learn how to invest ethically. Ultimately, we're able to work collaboratively to understand your needs and help you reach your goals.

Natural Investments

Natural Investments, a B Corp and public benefit corporation owned by a purpose trust, is a network of 20+ investment advisors across 10 states serving investors nationwide with an exclusive focus on sustainable, responsible, and impact investments since 1985. For over 30 years their Heart Rating, featured on their website, has rated SRI funds on the breadth and depth of their environmental, social, and governance, shareholder engagement, and community investing criteria. They have offered fossil fuel-free investment portfolios since 2012 and support racial and gender equity, community development, and regenerative ecological investing in both public and private markets. Thought leaders in the field, they have published three books since 1992, including "The Resilient Investor: A Plan for Your Life, Not Just Your Money."

Newground Social Investment

For over 30 years, Newground has focused exclusively on ESG-investing for families and non-profits, and supplements with direct corporate engagements using clients’ stocks to help keep corporations accountable to all stakeholders. By “Connecting Money with What Matters,” Newground offers well diversified, fossil fuel-free portfolios that support your values and mission in the world. Both mutual fund and highly customizable separate account management portfolios using stocks, bonds, and alternative investments are available, in addition to private impact investing for accredited investors. Our goal is to help humanize the face of wealth management. Please see our website for additional information on our client-focused planning approach.

Pekin Hardy Strauss Wealth Management

Pekin Hardy Strauss Wealth Management has been helping clients reach their goals since 1990. Over the years, we have helped our clients navigate through several challenging market environments. We have learned through experience to think deeply about wealth management through market cycles, to make adjustments as a cycle matures, and to protect capital during down markets. We help individuals and families customize their portfolios to support their social and environmental principles, excluding firms or industries that don’t align with their values and seeking out new investments with positive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) characteristics through our rigorous investment process.

Progressive Asset Managements, Inc.

Since 1987 PAM Inc has been providing social screening to members of the PAM Group, the socially responsible division of Financial West Group. Advisors in the PAM Group can create a fossil-free portfolio utilizing stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs to meet the needs of any client.

Quantum Financial Planning, LLC

Providing hourly, fee-only financial planning since 2005. Quantum Financial Planning can assist investors interested in fossil-free investing using methodology based on the book Low Fee Socially Responsible Investing, Investing in Your Worldview on your Terms, published by Tom Nowak in 2012.

SRI Wealth Management Group of RBC Wealth Management

The SRI Wealth Management Group of RBC Wealth Management provides customized investment solutions that help clients achieve financial and value-based objectives. With $1.3 billion AUM, SRI Wealth Management Group works with investors to implement client-specific Environmental, Social, Governance and Impact preferences throughout their asset allocation. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.

Stakeholders Capital

Stakeholders Capital is a full service wealth management firm committed to integrating their clients’ values with their financial goals. Stakeholders Capital is proud to be a leader in sustainable, community and impact investing.

Sustainable Wealth Advisors/Sustainable Advisors Alliance, LLC

Sustainable Wealth Advisors (SWA) is an investment management and financial planning firm based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Harry Moran is SWA’s founder and has been providing financial guidance to environmentally and socially conscious investors for over 30 years. Harry has specialized in designing highly customized fossil-free solutions for individual and institutional clients since 2001. In 2021, he became a founding member of Sustainable Advisors Alliance LLC, and is now part of a national network of dedicated financial professionals who share his passion for environmental sustainability and social justice. Harry has been a frequent contributor and speaker on a variety of impact investing topics and is proud to be helping support the work of the statewide Divest NY coalition.

Vision Capital Investment Management

The president of Vision Capital Investment Management, David Kim, has been working with socially responsible investing since 1983 when he co-founded Working Assets. Vision Capital Investment Management works to align personal values with financial goals using portfolios customized for each client's social and financial criteria. Investment strategies include fossil-fuel free, clean energy, non-GMO, natural processes, and community investing. Their focus is to provide competitive financial return, highly personalized client relationships, to help clients create positive social change, and to practice with a high standard of ethics.

Green America assumes no legal or financial responsibility for the practices, products, or services of any businesses listed. Please read all materials carefully prior to investing.

Back to Financial Products & Services

Title: Donor Services, Operations and Database Manager
Reports to: Director of Membership Marketing and Operations (MM&O)

Benefits: Excellent Benefits package

Status: Full Time 4-day 32 hours, compensation $52,000-$55,000

Green America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a socially just and environmentally sustainable society by harnessing economic power for positive change. Our unique approach involves working with consumers, investors, and businesses. Our workplace reflects our goal of creating a more cooperative, environmentally sound economy. We have a participatory decision-making process that aims to build consensus within the departments and teams.

Our Membership Marketing and Operations team uses mission-focused communications to engage our membership — 'one to many' requests of support. Members serve two key functions for Green America. First, our members are the vehicles of our social change work. Second, they are the people who provide one of the largest portions of revenue for Green America’s operating budget. To keep our members happy, we provide prompt and personalized assistance everyone that contacts us directly.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Donor Services Management (25%):

• Oversee Member Services Assistant
• Oversee the mail, phone, and email response system to member inquiries, from address changes to publication sales.
• Coordinate and produce mail and data files for Green America publications.
• Work with Member Services Assistant and Marketing Manager to coordinate renewal and acknowledgements data file generation and mailings.
• Coordinate with Director of Marketing to send monthly email renewals.
• Manage post office BRM accounts.

Recurring Gift Processing (25%):

• This position is responsible for meeting annual revenue projections.
• Process recurring (monthly, quarterly, annual) payments and manage the recurring processes: data entry, reporting, recapture, and refunds
• Create annual budget projections for ongoing recurring processing.
• Work with member services to meet recapture budget projections.
• Create new systems and offers, to increase recapture.
• Coordinate with Accounting to send summary of monthly revenues.

Operations & Data Entry Management (35%):

• Oversee Data Entry Specialist.
• Manage data entry systems and processes to ensure data integrity & hygiene, streamline processes, research new systems, and solve problems as they arise.
• Manage relationship and coordinate with our data caging company.
• Oversee credit card and debit card processing.
• Coordinate with IT department to ensure timely modifications and updates to, Raiser’s Edge, and other resources.

Constituent Relationship Management Systems Management (15%):

• Create and provide reports and data files to different departments in the organization, including Marketing, Development, and Accounting/Finance
• Responsible for data integrity, processes and procedures of Raiser’s Edge, Green America’s membership information system.
• Responsible for data integrity, processes and procedures of Charity Engine, Green America’s transactions website.
• Work with Accounting to provide reports for year end closing and final financial reports.
• Work with Director MM&O and Director of Development to provide reports and data files for the organization’s annual planning process.
• Work with Accounting to provide reports and data files for annual audit and taxes.
• Provide data assistance for state registration process.
• Update Salsa with constituent information from the Raiser’s Edge.
• Support of legacy systems, as needed, until they are phased out (Enterhost, SQL Server)

Miscellaneous

• Support the Director of MM&O in administrative duties related to contract management, hiring, budgeting and operational functions as needed.
• Review and process vendor invoices and ensure complete information has been provided
• Oversee office supplies, kitchen, and copier paper orders.
• Back up for front phone coverage.
• Other duties as assigned.

List of Systems this position will manage:

1. Raiser’s Edge Membership System
2. Charity Engine (web transactions)
3. Authorize.Net Credit Card System
4. Beneficial State Bank ACH Software
5. Blackbaud Merchant Services (BBMS)
6. PC Charge Credit Card System

Qualified Candidates should have:

• Minimum of 5 years work experience in non-profit setting
• Minimum of 3 years managing data entry and/or member services staff
• Customer-service mindset and strong interpersonal skills
• Candidate must demonstrate solid critical thinking skills and experience in collaborating with cross-department teams to achieve common goals
• Exceptional problem solving skills and outstanding attention to detail
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize various important requests
• Ability to communicate effectively with vendors, consultants, and staff and ensure deadlines are met.
• Proficiency in: Raiser’s Edge, Crystal Reports
• Preferred: SQL Server Querying, Charity Engine, Authorize.net, B.S. in Computer Science or an IT-related field