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Green America Joins 30+ Organizations to Demand Urgent Action

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 - On this World Social Justice Day, the Campaign to End US Child Labor calls for justice for the hundreds of thousands of children across the United States who are forced to work, often in hazardous conditions. Since 2015, US child labor violations have increased 300 percent and in the last three years alone instead of protecting children 28 states have sought to roll back child labor laws. More than 30 organizations including community organizations, human rights and faith groups, think tanks, and trade unions have come together to say enough is enough, launching the Campaign to End US Child Labor to demand that urgent action be taken to protect children across the United States. The Campaign’s Shared Agenda is available here.

Todd Larsen, Executive Co-Director for Consumer & Corporate Engagement at Green America, said: “Green America, which represents over 250,000 US consumers, has a long history advocating for an end to child labor in cocoa-producing countries such as Ivory coast and Ghana. Very sadly, we now must do the same right here in the United States.”

In the last two years, awareness of child labor has surged in public and political debate highlighted by alarming and tragic stories of children, some as young as 10, found working in fast food franchises, performing hazardous work in meat-packing facilities, auto supply factories, and prohibited roofing jobs, among other industries. Behind the headlines are deep-rooted, interrelated injustices keeping hundreds of thousands of children working legally and illegally in exploitative child labor conditions.

The rise in violations uncovered in recent years can be attributed to increased enforcement.  However, currently there is only one inspector for every 230,000 US workers thus making it challenging to reach those children still being exploited and send a stronger signal to employers.

In numerous states the response to this crisis has been to sacrifice children’s interests by weakening protections.  New state laws and proposed legislation across these states make it easier to hire children regardless of interference with schooling, remove requirements for employers to verify workers’ ages, and further put children at risk by allowing them to perform hazardous work.

Jean Tong, Labor Justice Campaigns Director at Green America, said: “A sustainable and equitable economy cannot be built off the backs of children, especially the exploitation of migrant children. We have learned that consumers will pay a fair price for child-labor free chocolate. Hence, companies can and must take the high road to drastically eradicate the worst form of child labor right here in our own backyard.”

The Campaign is calling for these commonsense actions from federal and state government and other relevant stakeholders:

• Protect unaccompanied minor children
• Close child labor loopholes between agricultural and non-agricultural work
• Increase enforcement and establish stronger consequences for child labor violations
• Create legislation that holds corporations to account
• Develop stronger labor rights laws and working conditions
• Establish a social protection system which prevents all children and families from falling into poverty

We must acknowledge our child labor crisis across the United States.  Now is not the time to take us back to the days when it was commonplace for children to be toiling on farms and in factories. “There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children,” said Nelson Mandela.  This Campaign seeks to make the world’s wealthiest country provide basic protections to all the children within its borders.  

For more information about the Campaign to End US Child Labor, please visit www.enduschildlabor.org

Members:

ORGANIZATIONS

100 Million Campaign US

American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

Center for Law and Social Policy

Child Labor Coalition

Children's Advocacy Institute

Department of Latin American and Latino Studies at University of Illinois Chicago

Economic Policy Institute

Fair Labor Association

Farmworker Justice

Florida Policy Institute

Food Empowerment Project

GlobalWorks Foundation

Global March Against Child Labor

GoodWeave International

Grace Farms

Green America

HKM Employment Attorneys, LLP

Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation US

Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor at Georgetown University 

Media Voices for Children

National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd

National Consumers League

National Education Association (NEA)
Phoenix Zones Initiative

School Sisters of Notre Dame Collective Investment Fund

Shine Global Inc.
Tendai Initiative

The Centre for Child Rights and Business

The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Immigration and Ending Human Trafficking

     Justice Circle

United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS)

Verité

Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

Women’s Refugee Commission

Individuals (affiliations are listed for identification purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement from their affiliated institutions)

Soledad Alvarez Velasco, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Chicago

Mark Anner, Professor of Labor and Employment Relations, and Political Science;

     Director, Center for Global Workers’ Rights, The Pennsylvania State University

Xóchitl Bada, Associate Professor & Director of Graduate Studies, Department of

     Latin American and Latino Studies, University of Illinois Chicago

Dr. Linda Forst, Professor Physician, University of Illinois Chicago

Professor Jonathan Fox, Accountability Research Center at American University

Judy Gearhart, Research Professor, Accountability Research Center at American

     University

Shannon Gleeson, Faculty, Cornell University

Shareen Hertel, Wiktor Osiatyński Chair of Human Rights & Professor of Political

     Science, University of Connecticut

Linda Schmid, International Development Adviser, Trade in Services International

Dr. Stephen Silvia, American University

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

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

CAMPAIGN TO END U.S. CHILD LABOR: A SHARED AGENDA

This is an abridged version of the Shared Agenda. Download the full Shared Agenda with detailed recommendations here.

Child labor in the United States has made national and international headlines due to a massive increase in federal child labor violations, state-level roll-backs in child labor protections, and media investigations showing that many children who enter the US unaccompanied are compelled to become child laborers. In mid-2023, the shocking deaths of three children doing hazardous work kept child labor at the forefront of public and political debate.

Behind the headlines, however, are deep-rooted, interrelated injustices driving the surge in illegal child labor and allowing hundreds of thousands of children to work in legal child labor conditions. Central to these are longstanding and discriminatory inequities between laws governing agricultural and non-agricultural work at the federal level, and major gaps in child and social protection measures, particularly for unaccompanied children.

Some policymakers want to turn the clock back a hundred years and expand the child workforce, at the expense of children’s safety, education, and childhoods. No child should be working long hours in dangerous conditions for low pay, but the children who take these jobs do so out of necessity. Overwhelmingly, children involved in child labor are surviving on low-incomes, whether they are unaccompanied migrants or from families experiencing economic hardship. They are disproportionately children of color.

The state-level scramble to create a bigger and younger child workforce, allowed to work longer and later hours, will - at best - deepen educational, economic, and racial inequalities. At worst, it puts more children’s lives in jeopardy. The evidence for this is clear because it is happening in agriculture - which already has lower minimum ages for work and hazardous work, and no restrictions on the number of working hours. 

Our shared agenda calls for:

• The protection of unaccompanied migrant children by ensuring all children have attorneys, are protected by social services, and have access to general assistance programs; and by ending legislation which encourages children being separated from their families in the first place, and enhancing humanitarian pathways and processing. 

• The closing of child labor loopholes between agricultural and non-agricultural work, and regularly reviewing and updating hazardous order regulations. 

• The establishment of stronger consequences for child labor violations and increased enforcement of child labor laws by increasing the capacity of the federal government to enforce the law, holding all companies which benefit from child labor accountable, and substantially raising the level of fines for violations to act as true deterrents. 

• The creation of strong legislation to hold corporations to account for child labor law violations, and for corporations to fund mechanisms to eradicate child labor from supply chains. 

• Stronger labor rights and conditions by raising the minimum wage, ending discrimination against farmworkers, regularizing the status of the current immigrant workforce, protecting the right to organize, and preventing states from eroding labor standards. 

• A social protection system which prevents all children and families from falling into poverty, and which includes undocumented migrants and unaccompanied children. 

This shared agenda has been compiled by representatives of  non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and trade unions working in the fields of child labor and exploitation, labor rights, unaccompanied children, and children’s rights. Critically, it includes the perspectives of survivors and people from impacted communities. It provides clear recommendations to end child labor in all its forms,and will be a critical tool for legislators and practitioners at local, state, and national levels.

This is a guest blog from Green Business Network member Longwave Financial.

Love is in the air, and while hearts flutter, finances can often be a cause of stress and concern for couples in all stages of life. As Valentine’s Day approaches, I can share a personal reflection on the intersection of love, money, and values. Recently engaged myself, my partner Taylor and I have embarked on an exhilarating journey, not just into wedding planning, but also into candid discussions about our shared financial future. We’ve found ourselves navigating the delicate balance between love and the reality of financial responsibility. It's been a revelation, exploring how our shared values shape our financial aspirations.  

These conversations inspired me to curate our best financial tips to people of all ages, because whether you’re in the bloom of youth, navigating adulthood together, or savoring the golden years, making sound decisions around your money can ensure a lifetime of financial harmony.  
 

For the younger lovebirds: Build your financial foundation  

1. Communicate and plan together: Openly discuss your financial goals, savings plans, and investments. Communication is key for any couple, and being on the same page with your money will strengthen both your relationship and financial wellbeing.  

2. Define your investing priorities: One of you may agitate for social justice while the other may want to take a strong stand against fossil fuels. Both of you may want to put investment dollars towards corporate transparency. The best way to be aligned about the “how” is by discussing the “why” and identifying areas of common ground. You can have an annual “state of the (financial) union” meeting to review and adjust if needed. 

3. Start investing early: Getting a head start on your investing journey can make a meaningful impact on your financial future. Take advantage of the "snowball effect" of compounding interest and impact by investing in ESG-focused index funds or ETFs as early as you can. Since your returns and impact not only grow on your original investment but also on the accumulating earnings, time and consistency work for you.    

4. Budget wisely: Track your expenses jointly and cultivate mindful spending habits that fit into your budget and align with your values. Make a shared effort to engage with local businesses, second-hand item platforms, and ethical brands.  

For the seasoned romantics: Solidify your financial stability  

1. Establish an emergency fund: Life often throws the unexpected our way. Setting aside 3-6 months-worth of expenses in a community bank or credit union can put your mind at ease in case of an unexpected expense.  

2. Plan ahead: Strategize for life’s pivotal moments – retirement, your children’s education, and future healthcare costs – utilize tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k) plans, 529 plans, and Health Savings Accounts to optimize your savings in a way that aligns with your long-term goals.  

3. Have protection in place: As you enter your prime earning years, it’s important to protect yours and your loved ones’ financial wellbeing. Consider reviewing your insurance coverage – life, health, and disability – to safeguard your nest egg in the case of unforeseen circumstances.   

For the boundless soulmates: Preserve your financial serenity  

1. Have a spending plan in place: The first time you no longer receive a paycheck after retirement can be a real shock to most people. When you start to rely on your investments for income, determine how much you can take out of your retirement accounts each year to ensure your money lasts as long as you do. Consider factors like life expectancy, healthcare expenses, philanthropic goals and your desired lifestyles together. Sticking to an annual withdrawal plan can allow for a secure financial future. 

2. Stay vigilant of healthcare costs: Healthcare expenses can be a significant burden during your retirement. Review your Medicare coverage and consider supplemental plans to fill any gaps. It’s also important to stay proactive about your health and wellness to minimize potential impacts of medical expenses in the future.  

3. Plan with purpose: Estate planning starts to become top of mind as you get older. If you haven’t already, engage with an estate attorney to draft documents like your will, power of attorney, and healthcare proxy, so your legacy follows your wishes without interruption.  

In every stage of life, weaving love with a financially responsible lifestyle adds a beautiful melody to life’s journey. Whether you are embarking on budding romances, enduring partnerships, or cherishing timeless connections, embracing an open dialogue around your finances can enrich your lives and relationships. Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Brennen is a financial advisor at Longwave Financial, with offices in NYC and the Hudson Valley, and clients throughout the country. He prides himself on his innate attention to detail, empathy, and professionalism to deliver exceptional service to clients. An ideal day for Brennen is one spent outdoors; some of his favorite activities include hiking, fly fishing, and the occasional round of golf. As a native of the Hudson Valley who grew up swimming in the river, Brennen developed an interest in sustainability. This motivated him to complete his ESG certification through Columbia Business School Executive Education, to learn how impact investing can drive change. Combined with his Certified Financial Planner™ designation, Brennen supports clients in making financial life decisions through the prism of their values. 

Investments are subject to risk, including the loss of principal. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria is based on a set of non-financial principles in addition to financial principles used to evaluate potential investments. The incorporation of non-financial principles (i.e. social, environmental, political) can factor heavily into the security selection process. The investment’s social or environmental focus may limit the investment options available to the investor. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. 

Securities and advisory services through Commonwealth Financial Network®, member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.  Additional advisory services offered through Longwave Financial LLC are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth. 

Longwave Financial 420 Lexington Avenue Suite 845 New York, NY 10170 212-279-9121 

Green America's Green Business Network is the first and most diverse network of socially and environmentally responsible businesses in the country. Now one certified Green Business Network member, Natural Investments, is taking this a step further, by reorganizing as a perpetual purpose trust.

In taking this step, Natural Investments was inspired by Patagonia, which made headline news in 2022 when its owners, Yvon Chouinard, his wife, and two adult children, transferred their ownership of the company – valued at $3 billion – to a special purpose trust and nonprofit organization.

The idea was to preserve Patagonia’s independence as a for-profit company while ensuring its profits – about $100 million per year – are used in perpetuity to fight climate change and conserve undeveloped land around the world.

“Hopefully, this will influence a new form of capitalism that doesn’t end up with a few rich people and a bunch of poor people,” Chouinard told The New York Times. “We are going to give away the maximum amount of money to people who are actively working on saving this planet.”

In 2023 Natural Investments became the first financial services company to transfer its ownership to a perpetual purpose trust.

“It’s an exciting moment in Natural Investments’ history,” writes Michael Kramer, previous managing partner and now trust steward. “Democratizing our ownership structure empowers new decision-makers, facilitates gender and racial equality in determining the priorities and direction of the company, assures a careful and gradual leadership succession, and yields wider economic benefits.”

Why restructure company ownership?

Natural Investments was founded in 1985 as one of the first socially responsible investment advisors in the United States. The founding partners started revolving loan funds and pushed for divestment from companies doing business in apartheid South Africa. They educated people about finance as a way to make change in the world, writing three books on socially responsible investing.

In 1992, Natural Investments launched its Heart Rating, the first rating system to compare environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria used by mutual fund managers to select funds.

As the field of sustainable investing grew, Natural Investments grew with it, hiring more – and more diverse – financial advisors who managed increasing assets. What started in the 1980s as $50 million under management by a handful of co-owners grew into $1.8 billion under management by 20 financial advisors at the end of 2023.

“As we brought on additional advisors in the past 16 years, our long-term plan was always to pass on firm management and ownership to younger advisors,” Kramer explains. The way this typically works is for older retiring partners to sell ownership shares to younger advisors who buy into the partnership.

But as so often in life, things did not go according to plan. Because of Natural Investments’ exponential growth, the cost of shares in the business had skyrocketed, putting ownership out of reach for younger advisors, many of whom are women and people of color. 

The firm had to find another solution that would ensure leadership succession to people who shared the founders’ core purpose, values, and management style. Enter the perpetual purpose trust.

How does it work?

A perpetual purpose trust is a non-charitable trust established for the benefit of a purpose rather than a person or persons, according to the Purpose Foundation. Unlike most trusts, perpetual purpose trusts can operate indefinitely. Their purpose is defined in a governing document called a Trust Agreement and overseen by a board called the Trust Stewardship Committee.

In the case of Natural Investments, the trust’s stated objectives are:

• Sustain our fiduciary duty to clients.
• Aim for a budget that reasonably balances the firm’s operational reserves, expenditures, and profit distribution.
• Provide infrastructure and ongoing regulatory, legal, and administrative services that bring value to advisors.
• Share economic rewards equitably among all advisors.
• Operate responsibly and equitably for the benefit of advisors, staff, clients, communities, society, and the environment.
• Promote an inclusive sharing of power in firmwide decision-making.

Decision-making authority moved from a few managing partners with varying levels of ownership and voting power in the firm to a Trust Stewardship Committee comprised of seven representatives, each with equal voting power. Other than one manager with a permanent seat on the committee, trust stewards are elected by advisors and their staff and serve staggered three-year terms.

“Establishing a Trust Stewardship Committee with 43% women and 29% people of color has also instantly changed our gender and racial leadership composition, as we had been 80% to 100% owned by white men for the past 38 years,” Kramer says. “This change is an important reflection of our ongoing internal justice, equity, diversity and inclusion commitments that are championed by our Race Equity Team and integrate the suggestions in a race equity audit we conducted with consultants.”

Best of all, no one had to go into debt buying ownership shares to take a leadership position.

Legal matters

Among the key advantages of a perpetual purpose trust are succession planning, asset protection, and flexibility, attorney Matthew Erskine writes in Forbes. Among the disadvantages is complexity and cost. Documents must be drafted for each business, and most states have no guidelines for governance.

To address this, Natural Investments worked with Purposed Owned, a consultancy for succession planning using purpose trusts, to convert their Colorado-based LLC to a Public Benefit LLC registered in Delaware, which has legislation that oversees tracking and reporting of benefits. They then borrowed a small percentage of the firm’s sale price from a longstanding community development financial institution (CDFI) to pay retiring partners for a portion of their ownership shares.

“To those of us who’ve been here for 20+ years, this graceful transition was far more important than maximizing our own personal profit,” Kramer says. “We have had many offers from larger firms to fully purchase or take equity positions that would have been more lucrative for exiting partners, but we opted to preserve the firm’s autonomy and identity while maintaining complete internal control.”

As the experience of both Patagonia and Natural Investments shows, the perpetual purpose trust is a viable option for responsible businesses whose managers want to ensure they can continue to make a positive impact on society while giving employees an equal voice for as long as the company exists.

Together we can put our money to work for good. Find a list of socially responsible financial planners and investment consultants, including Natural Investments, in Green America's Fossil Free Financial Products and Services pages, or in the Green Business Network's directory of Financial Advisors and Planners. You can also find mission-driven community development banks and credit unions in Green America's Get A Better Bank map.

The 1^st of February signifies the commencement of Black History Month, a time to honor and emphasize the importance of learning and celebrating Black history and culture. This year’s theme is “African Americans and the Arts.” While Black History Month takes place in February in honor of the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, the observation is a call to engage in a deeper understanding of Black history – one that highlights the entirety of the Black community and culture and subsequent infinite contributions to the world beyond the simplified study of only a few vastly known heroes. 

Black History Month began in 1926 as a week of education and recognition initiated by Carter G. Woodson, co-founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). His call to spend a week invested in a full education of Black history was met with an overwhelming supportive response. This week of pinpointing the significance and value of acknowledging the past as well as supporting the present and future of the Black community was extended into a month-long event in 1976 by President Gerald Ford.  

“There is no American history without African American history.” This statement by Executive Director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center Sara Kaplan embodies why the month’s call to action for widespread public education on Black history and culture is so important and points to the critical failure of both the American educational system and society as a whole to adequately recognize the history of minority-identified communities – at worst, complete erasure, and often times at best, a misrepresentation of the past so rushed and whitewashed it may be even more harmful.  

An accurate viewing of the history of America reveals the countless (and often unrecognized) ways members of the Black community have forged the past, present, and future of the country. Despite the foundational economic growth traced directly to Black labor – both pre- and post-emancipation – African American workers were only introduced as a category to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics in 1972, 88 years after the bureau’s creation. Black communities battling systemic environmental racism were simultaneously leading many of the fights for positive environmental change and forming the modern environmental justice movement.  

Dr. Danielle Morgan, Assistant Professor at Santa Clara University, pointed to Mike Pence’s 2017 address in which he introduced the beginning of Black History Month with the story of Abraham Lincoln as a perfect example of why the awareness and public call to action incited by this month remains as important as ever: “A month celebrating the accomplishments of Black people was introduced by a vice president celebrating the accomplishments of a white man. I guess even Black History Month isn’t safe from appropriation.”  

The vastness of underrepresented cultural and historical topics within the broad category of Black history Informs the most crucial aspect of Black History Month: it shouldn’t just be a month. Even then, the core message of Black History Month is to inspire continuous education and activism in all areas of life – the classroom, the home, the workplace, and beyond – to cultivate widespread public understanding and recognition as well as repair the disastrous erasure and misrepresentation of Black history. The very fact that Black history is often isolated within an “official” time span not even 30 days long is representative of the issue on its own. 

Holiday background and social justice: 

The Importance of BHM/ NPR 

Black Women Who Made History 

Black History Month: A Legacy of Social Justice  

Why we still need Black History Month in the US  

NMAAHC Celebrate Black History Month 2024 

American Descendants of Slavery: Black Agenda 

Economy: 

Black History Month: At EDA, Equity is Our Number One Investment Priority 

Black History Month: Reflecting on Money Milestones 

African American Workers Built America 

Celebrating Black History Month: The history and future of African-American wealth 

Green America Black-Owned Businesses Greenpages 

The Greenlining Institute 

Environment: 

The Environmental Justice Movement Is Rooted In Black History  

Black History Month: 10 Environmental Justice Groups & Leaders We Celebrate Today—& Every Day 

Environmental Organizations to Support for Black History Month 

What is Environmental Racism? 

In person events: 

DC: Black History Film Festival 

Black History Month Smithsonian 

Historically Black Phrases Live! In DC 

NY: Harlem Chamber Players 16th Annual Black History Month Celebration  

Virtual events: 

BHM: Virtual Festival 

Black History Month: Insights on Tracking African-Diasporan Roots 

Black Open Mic – Black History Month 

Books: 

The 1619 Project By Nikole Hannah-Jones 

You Don't Know Us Negroes and Other Essays By Zora Neale Hurston 

A Taste of Power: A Black Woman’s Story By Elaine Brown 

The Color Purple By Alice Walker 

Their Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston 

Invisible Man By Ralph Ellison 

The Vanishing Half By Brit Bennett 

The New Jim Crow Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness By Michelle Alexander  

Shopping at small and local businesses is good for the circular economy and a best practice for supporting people and the planet. This is doubly true for businesses owned and operated by diverse leadership, especially those who have been kept from wealth accumulation. Patronizing Black-owned businesses for Black History Month—and beyond—is smart way to Vote with Your Dollar and uplift those who have been historically marginalized. 

There are numerous proven benefits to shopping from Black businesses, including helping close the racial wealth gap, fostering job creation, encouraging access to communities most in need, and more. 

To help get you started, consider shopping these Black-owned green businesses that are part of the Green Business Network at Green America. 

Wooden Element 

Wooden Element {GBN} is a sustainable jewelry and accessory shop, specializing in wooden watches, sunglasses, jewelry, and more. 

Husband-and-wife duo Natalie & David Akerele founded the company, based in Peoria, IL, to foster a love of sustainable fashion and give back to their local economy and community, as well as issues that are close to their hearts. A portion of the sales support Easter Seals, Best Buddies International (IL Chapter), and Sudan Interior Mission (SIM) - Egbe Revitalization Project West Africa, as well as Aletheia School in Peoria. 

Wooden Elements products are made with Forest Stewardship Council certified sourced wood and the sunglasses feature recycled plastic and biodegradable cellulose acetate frames. The jewelry, meanwhile, features PETA-approved vegan cork jewelry & accessories. 

For a loved one’s next birthday or holiday gift, consider some truly unique wooden and sustainable accessories. 

Mirrors Decorated 

Tuesday Winslow started Mirrors Decorated {GBN} based on her love of recycled paper art. A self-described creative & innovative papier-mâché artist, it all began with cardboard sheet inserts from her father’s boxed dry-cleaned shirts. 

Now, Winslow creates truly unique art pieces, from papier-mâché wall mirrors, ornaments, and wood mirrors in various shops that can fit any room and aesthetic. 

Leading with sustainable practices, all Mirrors Decorated items are made from the old and discarded, including recycled office paper, newspaper, egg carton and paper bags. 

Get the Bag 

Gloria Ware’s Get the Bag {GBN} offers a fun and easy way to support Black women entrepreneurs with a quarterly subscription box. 

The box features all types of products from Black-owned brands, primarily sourced by Black women-owned brands. Each box has a theme and 4-6 high-quality items from the following categories: 

• Financial learning opportunity or tool 
• Food 

• Beverage (tea, coffee or a supplement mix) 
• Business, leadership or self-care book 
• Office swag 
• Self-care item 

Plus, each box also comes with subscriber-only access to webinars, "office hours,” talks with investors, lenders, grant-makers, brands and successful entrepreneurs. 

4 Elements Bath Products 

At 4Elements {GBN}, there are two main goals: taking care of the self while taking care of the planet. 

The online store offers a variety of products to up your self-care game, from body products to hair care and essential oil blends. There are items for everyone and every part of your body, including men and gender-nonconforming people with facial hair. 

How are all the body oils, soaps, lip balms, and more made sustainably? 4Elements sources organic and wild harvested products and the only preservatives used are natural and extracted from plants. Further, essential oils are extracted at “key times in the growing cycle of plants." 

For your next at-home spa day, consider 4Elements for all your needs. 

SMB Essentials 

Keep the self-care going with Lake Louise’s SMB Essentials {GBN}. The “SMB” stands for skin, mind, and body, with Louise believing that championing green beauty through inclusivity and responsibility is the way forward. 

SMB Essentials is comprised of two different brandsm, with more on the way: 

• Lotus Moon Skin Care: This plant-based skincare line draws from an Ayurvedic (ancient Indian system of natural healing) and aromatherapeutic approach to provide therapeutic and sensory effects. 
• Plain Jane Beauty: An eco-beauty color cosmetics line, “inspired by nature’s brilliant colors,” is a line that celebrates people of all shapes, sizes and skin tones.

Greening the economy is an important element of taking care of our planet. Join millions of Green Americans by shopping the Green Pages of the Green Business Network. 

Green America strives to provide informative and engaging webinars that help individuals make positive changes in their daily lives. Join us as we explore ways to create a more sustainable future for ourselves and the planet.

Many large insurers are scaling back coverage and raising rates, all while insuring fossil fuel projects and investing in fossil fuels.

Trader Joe’s received one of the worst scores on Green America’s retailer chocolate scorecard; it shares very little information about what they are doing to address child labor and deforestation in the chocolate from which it profits.

Specialized, the cycling company, likes to position itself as a green company, but there is nothing green about the fact that workers who make Specialized clothing are being cheated out of wages.  

Tell your House Representative: Protect my freedom to invest responsibly by joining the Sustainable Investment Caucus.

It’s a new year and excitement is high for what’s ahead—what we all wish to accomplish, to experience, to pursue as we prepare for another orbit around the sun. One area to think about in a world that demands us to consume is shopping. These ethical shopping resolutions can help anyone become a more conscientious consumer, even in the faces of capitalism and greed. 

Learn Greenwashing Terms 

It is no secret anymore that companies participate in the deceptive tactic of greenwashing, boasting claims of hard-to-verify or outright false sustainability practices, and it’s time customers take a stand. 

The first step is a crash-course in what greenwashing is and how to avoid it. Terms like “all-natural” or “biodegradable” are thrown on products a lot these days, enticing shoppers with imagery of plants and green fonts. Unfortunately, these words and marketing ploys are most often just that: ways to get consumers to buy without arousing suspicion. 

Losing customers is the easiest way to put pressure on a business and let them know you’ll no longer be buying their products if they continue to greenwash and don’t adopt true sustainable practices. 

Look for Certifications 

One quick tool in your arsenal to fight back against greenwashing is looking for certifications. There are many kinds, and they can quickly tell you if a product and its company have been vetted by a third party for various standards. 

The Green Business Network’s “environmentally ethical and socially responsible” certification is one such option, showcasing three areas: environmental responsibility, social equity, and accountability. 

There are several others, covering everything from sustainability to animal testing and beyond. Here are some to learn about and look for: B Corp, 1% for the Planet, Non-GMO, USDA Organic, Leaping Bunny, Cruelty-Free, and the Vegan trademark. 

Get Your Finances in Ethical Order 

To consume is, often, to spend. In a world where inflation rates can change on a dime, wages continue to stagnate, and money is stressful, however, it can feel impossible to navigate how to spend your money, where to keep it, and beyond. 

That’s why it’s so important, before you go out into the world as an ethical consumer, you get your finances in order. 

No matter your age, you can start learning about or participating in socially responsible investing, and for those just getting started in adulthood and independence, there are ways for you, too, to get your finances on track from the jump. 

Become more financially empowered with Green America 

Shop from Diverse-Owned, Small Businesses 

BIPOC communities make up about 40% of the US population, but only account for 20% of the country’s small business owners. Entrepreneurship is a way of building wealth in this country, something from which marginalized communities have long been excluded. 

Green Americans can help combat this, and close the racial gap, by intentionally shopping at diverse-owned businesses and voting with their dollar. 

Anyone can browse the thousands of Green Business Network members using the Green Pages online, including shopping specifically from diverse-owned businesses. Within the Green Pages, customers can filter by businesses with diverse ownership, including AAPI, Black, people with disabilities, Latinx, LGBTQ, veterans, women, and workers. 

The types of businesses run the gamut and offer everything for every type of shopper. 

Sustainable Threads, an AAPI-owned business, boasts an array of fair trade, handmade items, while Eco Dog Care, which is disability-owned, offers all the ethical, natural and sustainable grooming products you need for your furry friend. 

Demand Better from Your Favorite Establishments 

Don’t underestimate the power of individual, collective action—but also don’t let the powers that be off the hook. 

A powerful way to take on corporate misdeeds is by demanding better from businesses or lobbying your local legislators to recognize it and act. 

The next time you’re at your favorite bar or restaurant, talk to a manager about making the switch to more sustainable materials and that you’d even be willing to pay a little extra for them. Or, if you spot greenwashing, get in touch with the company and tell them why it’s an issue and why you won’t be shopping from them anymore. 

You can also contact your city council and encourage them to adopt and enforce sustainable legislation, such as single-use plastic bans or ethical labor practices. 

Now that you have these ethical shopping resolutions in your repertoire, it’s time to get out in the world and make this year the one where you, the consumer, are in charge. 

Read about the 2024 green resolutions for business owners. 

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We're here to help you make your mark in the branding world, empowering purpose-driven entrepreneurs like you to unleash your freaking amazing uniqueness. We're all about crafting brand stories that don't just whisper but freaking roar, resonating with your soul-aligned clients on a level that's deeper than the Mariana Trench. Let's shake things up and make some noise together!

The holidays are officially on our doorsteps and with them, a rush to get our loved ones the perfect gifts—or ourselves! Why not save money and show kindness to the planet by shopping eco-friendly holiday sales? 

Save on everything from fair trade jewelry to plant-based skincare and organic pet products.

Every sale recommended in this article comes from our thousands of certified Green Business Network members, which meet or exceed Green America’s standards for social and environmental responsibility. 

Up to 60% Off Beds, Bedding, and Mattresses 

Looking to upgrade your bedroom, or gift someone a luxurious bedding set? Then check out PlushBeds’ sales for the holidays.

Here are the details of the company’s sale on sustainable and organic bedding products: 

• $1,250 off Bedroom Mattresses + Receive $599 in Free Bedding with Purchase (Free: 2 organic pillows, organic sheet set, organic mattress protector) 
• 25% off sitewide 

Get Free Goat's Milk Soap with $75 Purchase

Luxe out your bathroom with goat's milk soap from Be Green Bath + Body! 

• Free goat's milk soap and free shipping with $75 purchase (thru 12/11/23)

25% off Sitewide for Fair Trade Products 

The fair trade green business WorldFinds is running a holiday sale to encourage more conscious shopping amongst consumers. 

• Get 25% off sitewide with code GREEN25 (thru 12/31/23)

Get 10% Off Fair Trade Jewelry 

Dunitz & Company offers beautiful, fair trade jewelry made of fused glass, laser art, and more.

• 10% off sitewide with code HOLIDAY23 (thru 12/25/23)

Up to 50% Floral Ointments, Cremes, and More

Use the power of florals with FES Flowers' tinctures, cremes, and more to treat everything from muscle tension, sleep difficulties, and beyond.

• Up to 50% off on various products (thru 12/17/23)

10% Off and Free Shipping of Fair Trade Woven African Baskets 

Give the unique gift of woven African baskets from the fair trade business Baskets of Africa. 

• 10% OFF everything and free shipping in the 48 states (thru 12/31/23) 

Get 20% Off Plant-Based Skincare 

Shop functional + plant-based skincare from Lotus Moon at SMB Essentials to address the changes in our skin safely and naturally.  

• 20% off with the code GREEN20 (thru 12/31/23)

Get 25% Off Eco-Friendly Shampoo and Laundry Bars

One great way to adopt sustainable habits at home is avoiding plastic packaging—bars packaged in recyclable materials, for everything from showering to laundry and hand soap, is the new frontier. Tangie is encouraging this with its holiday sale on all products! 

• 25% off all products with code GREEN25 

Daily December Deals on Sustainable Products

Sustainable retail shop What's Good is running daily deals throughout December for the holidays, on everything from shampoo bars and more.

• Various daily deals (thru 12/12/23)

Get 20% Off Ethical Candles

Many candles are made with toxic materials, but not the fun and vast collection of candles at Big Dipper Wax Works. From carved candles to pillar candles in so many scents, you can find a great gift for anyone. 

• 20% Off Winter Holidays & Gift Sets Collection (from 12/5-12/7/23)

Get a Free Gift Certificate or Products for the Bedroom 

White Lotus Home wants to give back to you for shopping eco-friendly bedding this holiday season! 

• Free gifts for shopping at White Lotus (thru December)

Get 20% Off Fair Trade Jewelry and Gifts

Get unique fair trade gifts like jewelry or these mushroom salt and pepper shakes from Lucia's Imports!

• 20% off sitewide with code GBN20 (thru December)

Get 20% Off Bamboo Bed Linens

Enjoy the comforts of bamboo linens for the bedroom with BedVoyage’s holiday sale this year! 

• 20% off sitewide with code GreenBamboo20 (thru 1/1/24) 

Get 20% Off New 100% Natural Organic Hand Towels

Gilden Tree is offering 20% off their new tassel hand towels, made of 100% natural cotton and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified. They're also absorbent and quick-drying.

• 20% off with code TASSEL20 (from 12/10-12/16/23)

Get 10% Off Mrs. Meyers Products and More

Dolphin Blue is offering a 10% discount on various products for the holidays.

• 10% off Mrs. Meyers products, Tree Planting Gift, Eco Coin Purses and Love Letter to the Earth Book with code gbn10* 

Up to 50% Mattresses and Bedding

Make your bedroom the most comfortable room in your house with Keetsa's end of year sales, featuring mattresses and bedding up to 50%.

• Up to 50% various products (thru December)

Get 50% Off Sustainable Jewelry

Gift beautiful, sustainable jewelry for the holidays from Aid Through Trade.

• 50% off sitewide with code GREENAMERICA

Get 10% Off Reusable Food Savers

Make sure none of your delicious holiday food goes to waste with Food Huggers' reusable food savers, allowing you to make everything last longer, from producer to butter and beyond.

• 10% off sitewide and free shipping on orders over $39.99 with code HOLIDAYHUGS10 (from 12/8-12/11/23)

Get 50% Off Egyptian Cotton Baby Clothing

Everyone from one to 83 deserves lush, sustainable, and enjoyable gifts for the holidays. The organic Egyptian cotton clothing at Under the Nile meets all the standards and more.

• 50% off sitewide (thru December)

Get 10% Off Corporate Gifts 

Are you a business looking to get gifts for your employees or clients? Then check out EcoPlum, a B2B (business-to-business) green business, selling everything from customizable apparel to wellness products. 

• 10% off orders of $2500 or more (thru December)

Wherever you go—from your inbox to your favorite radio station—you’re probably hearing a lot about Black Friday. Companies would like you to be thinking about “doorbusters”, sales, and a rush to get the good stuff before it’s gone this shopping season.

Here at Green America, we cringe when we hear “shopping season” because for big box stores and massive online retailers, the winter holidays are a time to get people to spend as much as possible, when stores lure customers in with sales that trick people into spending more than they intended or buy without thinking of what they truly need. 

Here’s why this Black Friday, we’re not buying it. 

Sweatshop labor and worker abuses

From fashion to phones, most items sold on Amazon or in big box stores and department stores are made by people in factories across the globe who are paid far less than what their labor is worth. Being paid just a few dollars a day leaves workers in a cycle of poverty they are not able to escape. This is the case in the US too, where retail workers make far less than the cost of living and retail and warehouse jobs around the holiday season can be punishing to the point of being dangerous.  
 
Remember also, that we have far from eradicated child labor—an estimated 160 million children are victims of child labor and could be the ones making anything from rugs to chocolate. 

For chocolates made without child labor and deforestation, try these A-rated chocolate companies. 

Toxic chemicals

Conventional clothes, furniture, and tech gadgets more often than not have toxic chemical finishes that provide stain-, water-, fire-, or wrinkle-proofing, or make the manufacturing process easier and have been linked to health effects like hormone disruption and cancer.  

The effects of these toxins are the most serious for workers, including those in the factory, warehouse, and retail fronts, as long as they are handling the toxic chemical finishes.

PFAS is among the most harmful that we are currently aware of and has been found on water-resistant and waterproof clothing. PFAS is linked to reproductive issues and birth defects. It persists in the environment for so long that it is also known as "forever chemicals."

Waste

It’s not wasteful to buy things that you need—warm winter boots, a new computer when yours can’t be repaired, toys and books for growing kids. What is wasteful is buying way more than what you need or can use. Presents that end up in the trash next year or fall apart after a few uses just aren’t worth it.

One aspect of voting with your dollar is choosing not to spend when you don’t need to. We think some of the best gifts are the gift of experience, that have no waste—like a dinner at a favorite restaurant, a concert, or gift certificates for services you can give, like baking or babysitting. 

Dirty energy and climate change

Did you know that despite Amazon’s pledge to reduce its climate impacts, its climate footprint is actually growing and is equal to Norway’s?  A lot of that impact comes from all the products Amazon sells, including materials like plastic for toys, cobalt for phone and computer batteries, and all sorts of clothing materials that can have negative impacts on the planet.

In fact, the fashion industry emits more carbon emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.

When you can, buy local products made from sustainable materials to reduce your climate impact. Find all sorts of great gifts from certified sustainable and socially just businesses at Green America's Green Pages.

Join us this year. Skip Black Friday.

This year, we encourage you to skip shopping on Black Friday. Instead, take some time to appreciate what you already have, like the items that make your house feel homey or the people in your life you love. 

When you do decide to buy gifts:

• Shop certified green businesses in our Green Pages
• Try these greener alternatives to Amazon
• Support these Black- and women-owned businesses

While we cannot shop our way to sustainability, we can purchase with purpose and vote with our dollars to support businesses who reflect our values and treat people and the planet with true respect.

It’s no secret that the “most wonderful time of the year” leaves behind massive piles of trash. It is estimated that waste in the U.S. increases more than 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day—that’s an additional 1 million tons of waste heading to our already overflowing landfills each week.

Green America will help you enjoy sugarplum dreams instead of suffering sustainability dilemmas! Below are our tips for how to have a green holiday, including what to use and not use, and proper disposal of these items after the celebrations end.

Wrapping Paper

You can still have the exciting element of surprise by wrapping gifts with sustainable wrap! The easiest way to ease your holiday waste guilt is by using alternative wrapping:

• Scarves or fabric you have around the house (I’ve used the same fabric on my family’s gifts for the past 5 years and have had no complaints about being a “gift-wrap repeater”!).
• Reusable bags or tins.
• Use old calendars, newspaper, or maps.
• Decorate brown paper bags with markers, but don’t use glitter, as this makes the bag less recyclable after you reuse it.

If the festive wrapping paper is your favorite part of the holiday season, there are still better choices available so you can lessen its environmental impact:

Look for a label signaling recycled content was used to make the paper (not just a simple recycle symbol, which can simply mean the paper is recyclable after use).

When disposing of your wrapping paper, be cautious of the type of paper you used. The widely-available shiny giftwrap is usually NOT recyclable. Wrapping paper is often made with foil or a plastic coating, making it unfit to recycle into new paper. You can call your local recycling hauler to determine if they do handle traditional wrapping paper, or simply use one of the alternative options above.

As for tissue paper, this thin material is not often recyclable in most communities, since most of it is made out of recycled paper and the fibers are too short. You can reuse in another gift, or you can compost tissue paper that does not have glitter or other additions to it. If your town has a composting program, check there first.

Gift & Food Packaging

When buying gifts try to find gifts made out of recycled materials and without excessive packaging. Check out Green America’s Green Pages for hundreds of US businesses that have been certified as environmentally and socially responsible. 

When recycling plastic packaging, check for the number within the recycle symbol, this is a clue as to the kind of plastic you have and if it is recyclable in your area. Check Earth911 to search for the plastic recycling rules of your zip code. 

Meal essentials: If you are entertaining a lot of guests for meals throughout the holiday season, and are short on plates and utensils, it might be tempting to use disposable cutlery and plates. Instead, consider buying inexpensive plates and utensils from a thrift store for the meals and then donate to a local community center after (or store them until your next large event). You can also simply ask your guests, “BYOP” (bring your own plate). If you do use disposable plates and cups, look for items that are made with recycled materials.

Unfortunately, paper plates, cups, and plastic cutlery are NOT recyclable after you’ve used them.

Another disposable option is to use compostable plates and cups but be wary of this if your community doesn’t have a composting program—compostable materials need a certain amount of airflow to allow them to successfully compost, a process that doesn’t happen well if your items are destined for the landfill.

Festive Decor

Tree selection and disposal: If you celebrate a holiday with a decorated tree, here is our advice on sustainable tree selection. To properly dispose of a live, cut tree, you can compost in your own backyard or find local opportunities in your town to recycle and compost your fir friend.

If you are trying to dispose of an artificial tree, please do not place in your recycling bin, and instead check with local charities, shelters, schools, and churches to see if they could reuse your old artificial tree.

Twinkle lights are a fun way to brighten up the winter holiday months. Unfortunately, these lights are one of the most common items that people try to recycle but they are NOT recyclable through your curbside bin.

Please do not contaminate your recycling with these lights and instead drop them off at a hardware store like Lowe's, Home Depot, and Ace Hardware. If you live on the east coast, MOM's Organic Market has drop off bins for hard-to-recycle items, like holiday lights.

Tinsel is not recyclable. Use this sparkly decor as long as you can until you send it to the landfill. Or, you can opt for going all-natural with decorations of wreaths, mistletoe, pinecones etc. Just make sure to remove any added sparkle and bows before you put these outside to decompose or compost.

Hanukkah tapers made with beeswax are much better for indoor air quality than paraffin candles, which are made from petroleum. Natural beeswax tapers don't release harmful chemicals in the air, have a lower melting point than paraffin candles (reducing fire risk), and are less likely to aggravate allergies than paraffin.

Thank you for taking these steps to make your festivities as green and happy as can be!

If your family tradition is to lay your (homemade, secondhand, or recycled content) gifts under a brightly decorated Christmas tree, you’ve likely wondered what the most sustainable option is to keep the festive feel while reducing your impact on the Earth.

Green America is here to help! There are a variety of Christmas tree options and ways you can make the earth-friendly choice for your family to be more sustainable.

Potted Christmas Trees

You can still enjoy decorating a tree and that delightful pine smell by selecting an organic potted tree, available at organic nurseries and some tree farms. Choose a tree that’s right for your climate, and the soil and light conditions where you will be planting it (the folks at the nursery or tree farm can help you with this). Make sure to keep it watered, since young trees are very thirsty!

You can absolutely decorate this tree but try to keep your Christmas lights to smaller and LED bulbs to prevent damaging the tree with heat.

Plant it! You can leave the tree in your house for a week and half, but then move it to the garage or patio for one day after the holiday, so it can readjust to being outside. Then plant your tree outside and water it well once it’s in the ground.

Sustainable Christmas Tree Alternatives

There are many creative ideas you can use to create a tree of your own through recovered or reusable materials. Some great ideas include:

• Using beloved books in your house, stack them in the shape of a Christmas tree and hang ornaments on the book corners.

• Look for sturdy fallen branches around your neighborhood and connect them with colorful ribbon or twine. Hang your ornaments along the branches and rejoice that there will be no need to sweep up fallen pine needles. 
   
• Another fun idea is attaching your ornaments onto a decorative board and hanging it to your wall. This nostalgic ‘tree’ is easy to take down and store to use year after year.

Cut Trees

Almost all cut Christmas trees are harvested from tree farms, many of which are family owned and operated. These farms generally plant about two trees for every one they cut, and often use rocky soil that does not support other types of agriculture. This means that instead of barren land, the farm hosts trees that provide oxygen and combat climate change.

It’s very important to make sure that you obtain your tree from an organic tree farm, as many companies use pesticides which contaminate groundwater and are harmful to wildlife. Check out Local Harvest to find listings for organic tree farms across the country. Many conventional trees are treated with chlorpyrifos, a neurotoxin most harmful to children. A cut tree that isn’t organic might still have chlorpyrifos on it when it reaches your home.

When Christmas is over, resist any temptation to burn the tree in your fireplace after the holiday is over, since evergreen smoke will distribute pine tar in your flu and chimney, which can clog the chimney and may even catch fire.

For proper tree disposal, look for local opportunities to recycle and compost your fir friend. Visit search.earth911.com to learn the best way to recycle trees in your town. Some municipalities will accept Christmas trees after New Years for a certain amount of time.

If you have a compost pile, you can compost both organic and conventional trees, since most pesticides rapidly degrade during the composting process and do not persist in harmful concentrations.

Artificial Christmas Trees

Since live trees have the potential to harbor pollens and molds, those who suffer from severe allergies might consider an artificial tree. Artificial trees can be used year after year and are made from a combination of plastic, steel, and aluminum.

The way these trees are constructed make them unrecyclable in your municipal recycling program. Once discarded, your artificial tree will spend centuries in your local landfill. The majority of these trees also come from factories in China, where many workers spend long hours in sweatshop conditions.

While these trees can be used sustainably throughout their lifetime, the creation and disposal of them have severe consequences to people and the planet. If you already have an artificial tree, the most sustainable option is to use it for as long as you possibly can.

As for disposal, artificial Christmas trees cannot be recycled due to their mixed materials. If you need to dispose of it, check with local charities, shelters, and churches to see if they could reuse your old artificial tree. You will have the most luck in November, when thrift stores can resell.

If you’d like to learn more about small steps you can take to greener, happier festivities, check out our Green Holiday Checklist to find more tips for a more sustainable season! 

From the most recent issue of our magazine, Green American, where we update readers on the progress we've made over the last quarter on climate, finance, food, labor, social justice, and more.

Addressing the Climate Crisis

We are working to eliminate the major sources of greenhouse gases—from energy use to refrigerants. Our Cool It! Campaign urges supermarkets to upgrade their refrigerants, and to reduce leaks of highly polluting conventional hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, which are around 1,400 times worse for the climate than carbon dioxide.

VICTORY! We pressured Trader Joe’s to announce that all of its new stores will use more climate-friendly refrigerants. The announcement came after more than 20,000 Green Americans urged Trader Joe’s to take action, and after the Environmental Investigation Agency, a Green America ally, ranked Trader Joe’s poorly on its Climate-Friendly Supermarkets Scorecard.

“Consumer awareness and concern about Trader Joe’s climate emissions is having an impact,” says Dan Howells, Green America’s climate campaigns director. “But Trader Joe’s has a long way to go to catch up with grocery chains like Aldi, Target, and Whole Foods on climate-friendly refrigerants. Trader Joe’s now needs to retrofit its 530 existing stores to use ultra-low Global Warming Potential refrigerants.”

Our campaign to urge the telecom sector to adopt clean energy and support energy justice got AT&T to support community solar and Verizon to add more wind power this year.  And, we mobilized 150,000 people to support a recently issued US EPA rule to slash methane emissions throughout the country.

WHAT’S NEXT: We’ll keep the pressure on Kroger, which operates more than 2,600 stores nationally, with only seven using refrigerants that are better for the planet. And we are expanding our “Hang Up on Fossil Fuels” campaign to get more major players in the communications sector to adopt renewable energy and energy justice. We’re also joining community groups to reduce the harmful impacts of biomass fuels that are destroying forests and damaging communities throughout the country.

Advancing Regenerative Agriculture

Conventional industrial agriculture drives climate change, while also destroying soil health, and depleting the nutrient density of our food. That’s why Green America is leading the way to expand regenerative agriculture practices and help farmers nationwide create healthy soil, sequester carbon, and produce more nutritious food.

VICTORY! This year, we enrolled farms representing a total of 126,000 acres under cultivation in our Soil Carbon Initiative (SCI), a commitment and verification program that supports farmers in restoring healthy, living soil on their land. Healthier soil grows healthier food, so this year we also launched our Nutrient Density Alliance. We’re working with food companies, nutritionists, and the medical community to drive demand for regenerative agriculture, so healthier food will be available in all communities.

Our Climate Victory Gardens (CVGs) Campaign empowers tens of thousands of people nationwide, by providing guidance and resources to new and experienced gardeners. The more than 21,000 CVGs registered on our website drew down 4,740 tons of carbon this year, eliminating emissions equal to 39 million miles driven!

WHAT’S NEXT: We’ll bring more brands on board with our regenerative agriculture work, partner with more farmers of color, and increase our work highlighting the increased nutrition that regeneratively grown crops provide. We’ll also go live with our Soil Carbon Initiative verification, and consumers will be able to see the new “Soil & Climate Health Initiative” label on products in stores.

And we’ll work to increase the number of registered Climate Victory Gardens to 25,000 and grow and expand community gardens throughout the US.

Protecting Workers from Toxic Chemicals

Exposure to toxic chemicals is one of the leading sources of worker injury in the world, and the electronics and apparel sectors are major offenders. Our Clean Electronic Production Network (CEPN)—a multi-stakeholder collaborative network including some of the largest tech companies—runs our “Toward Zero Exposure” Program, a commitment and verification program supporting companies in eliminating priority chemicals from factories, protecting millions of workers. This year, CEPN added 16 more toxic chemicals to the list of priority chemicals for elimination or substitution.

VICTORY! Our Toxic Textiles campaign convinced Amazon.com, one of the largest clothing retailers in the US, to announce its private label brands will comply with AFIRM’s Restricted Substance List (RSL) of toxic chemicals for apparel, accessories, and footwear products in North America, Europe, and Japan. The AFIRM RSL ensures that chemicals of concern are below certain thresholds in products sold to consumers. The move came after nearly 40,000 Green Americans urged Amazon to act quickly on dangerous chemicals.

WHAT’S NEXT: CEPN plans to launch a pilot program in Vietnam to help smaller suppliers (deep in the supply chain where other programs don’t reach), protect their workers from chemical exposure.

Our Toxic Textiles campaign will continue calling on Amazon.com to adopt an official Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) to reduce toxic-chemical exposure in all its supplier factories, and to join The International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry.

“People spending their hard-earned money at Amazon shouldn’t have to worry whether they are exposing their family to toxic chemicals,” says Jean Tong, labor justice campaigns director. “No one wants workers harmed by making these products.”

Also in 2024, we will be releasing a major report on the toxic impacts to workers of leather and alternative leathers and putting pressure on companies that are laggards on leather.

Promoting Responsible Finance

For more than 30 years, Green America has educated the public about how to use the power of socially responsible investing (SRI) to push corporations to address climate, environmental, and social justice crises. Because SRI has been so effective, it is under attack in Congress and many states by protectors of corporate power. So this year, we ramped up our responsible investing work to protect the power of SRI.

VICTORY! In 2023, we successfully mobilized support to protect a US Labor Department rule allowing 401(k) plans to consider environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors. We published a series of blogs explaining federal and state-level attacks on responsible investing and the undisclosed funders of anti-ESG campaigns. We called out the opponents of SRI on social media and in op-eds, and we brought our message directly to Congress through letters for the record at anti-ESG hearings and support for the Sustainable Investment Caucus.

We continued our work to help people transition away from Wall Street banks and into community development banks and credit unions, providing guidance via our 2024 Guide to Socially Responsible Investing and Better Banking and Fossil-Free Investing Guide (with Green Century). And we issued our annual guidance for shareholders voting on key resolutions.

WHAT’S NEXT: We’ll continue to push back on attacks on responsible finance, while educating people on how they can take part. We are working with GreenFaith to develop a curriculum on “Aligning Your Money with Your Values,” covering banks, credit cards, insurance, and investing. We will update our popular “Find a Better Bank” database to include more community banks and credit unions. Together with the US Social Investment Forum, we will update a social investing “how to” course for individuals with useful resources, and we plan to create a directory of fossil-free community insurance companies.

We’ve all been there—a wedding, a job interview, that themed party you want to nail. You have to dress your best… but you’re also on a budget and a sustainable closet is important. Can both realities co-exist?

This was my exact situation in July. My cousin was getting married, and the dress code was “summer elegant.” I rifled through my closet, and nothing felt right or appropriate for the intense SoCal sun. I wasn’t looking to drop a lot of money—groceries were expensive enough with increased inflation—but I wanted to look the best for my beloved older cuz’s big day.

I knew it was time to search for a new outfit.

Fast-fashion companies felt like obvious non-starters. The fast-fashion industry is implicated in a host of environmental and human rights abuses, from over 43 million tons of harmful chemicals used to make our clothing to millions of dollars in wage theft from workers. But painfully aware of my limited funds, I wasn’t sure I could pursue more expensive choices from more sustainable companies or from the cute local boutiques dotted around my home in Los Angeles.

To find a sustainable choice and spare my budget, I turned to a staple of the city—thrift stores—and ended up with an outfit of pitch-perfect summer elegance.

A Growing Industry Waiting for You

Buying secondhand is becoming an increasingly popular option across generations for clothes-shopping.
According to the 2023 Resale Report from ThredUp, an online consignment and thrift store, over half of all consumers shopped secondhand apparel in 2022 and the entire country’s secondhand industry is expected to grow to $70 billion by 2027.

In 2023, younger generations are supporting the secondhand industry in a big way, alongside evolving attitudes towards things like sustainability, waste, fashion trends, and wealth gaps.

While nearly one-fifth of all consumers are “extremely concerned” about inflation, according to the Resale Report, most Millennials and Gen Z shoppers also express concerns about non-sustainable apparel brands and 63% believe they can reduce their individual footprint through actions like thrifting.

As for the stylishness of secondhand clothing, 56% of Millennials and Gen Zers would forego the latest trends for a “one-of-a-kind” look—my own finds are proof of that.

Be Patient and Come Prepared

Thrift stores—in-person or online—can be daunting. Rows and rows of racks of clothing meet the eye, how do you know where to start? Try these steps the next time you go out:

Know how to take care of your clothes.

Before adding more clothes to your closet, try your hand at learning how to mend your clothes. You don’t need to have extraordinary sewing skills to be able to patch that hole in your jeans or learn how to depill your knitwear.

The Green America article “Make Do and Mend” offers tips and tricks on mending clothes yourself or finding companies to mend pieces for you. This is also a good chance to patronize a small business or local tailor.

These skills are handy, too, for that thrifted piece you adore but which has a small tear in it.

Know what you’re shopping for.

When I went thrifting for my wedding outfit, I had the dress code to guide me and the knowledge of how intense Southern California’s summers are, especially for an outdoor wedding. Perhaps it’s not a wedding outfit you need, but to restock your jeans or cobble together an outfit for that holiday-themed party you got invited to.

When you have a mission, it becomes easier to wade through everything that won’t work.

Know your measurements.

One of the biggest roadblocks to thrifting is stamina, especially if you’re also expending the energy to try everything on (if the store allows it). What can help immensely is knowing your clothing measurements—chest, waist, hips, shoulder width, inseam, etc. Then, bring along a tape measure on your outing and you won’t have to worry about various brands’ different measurements.

Depending on your style, ignore the outdated notions of gendered clothing. Knowing my measurements, I was able to shop both “men’s” and “women’s” for the wedding.

When I found the shorts I wound up buying, a men’s size 38, I knew they were larger than my own measurements, but not so big that a belt couldn’t keep them up (and tie into the color of my top).

If you’re a fan of vintage pieces, in particular, knowing your actual measurements will be crucial as vintage clothing runs several sizes smaller than current brands.

Know where to shop.

While Goodwill’s ubiquitousness is handy, if you’re looking for quirkier or more specific apparel, there are many more thrifting and vintage stores available.

Online, websites like ThredUp and Poshmark offer thrifting from the comfort of your own. Several apparel companies also now have their own resell programs: check out Patagonia’s Worn Wear, Lululemon’s Like New, or ModCloth’s ModCloset.

In LA, It’s A Wrap boasts being “the only company on the planet” offering wardrobe from Hollywood’s biggest movies and television shows. Flea markets also house hidden treasures—the Raleigh Flea Market is the biggest one in North Carolina and has over 500 vendors weekly. In Boulder, Colorado, the Greenwood Thrift Shop & Consignment Gallery has the added bonus of proceeds going to the Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

Now go forth with confidence to be the best-dressed at your next outing, or holiday gathering, all while using your savings to shop new items from sustainable, organic, and Fair Trade businesses.

Imagine if there were a store where all the items on the shelves were free—where you could grab a toaster, a textbook, or even a business suit, all without paying a dime. Sounds unlikely, right?

It’s not a dream. It’s a very real reimagining of our economy, one that centers giving, sharing, and community—a gift economy. Online BuyNothing groups or FreeCycle forums, and in-person Really Really Free Markets and Free Stores are all places where people can offer donations of gently used items, and others can pick up new-to-them items. While the in-person venues may look different—such as an open-air market to improvised shelves on a wall at a street corner or an unused warehouse—the foundational value they all share is care for the community.

Everything in the Store is Free

The idea of a Free Store came to Myles Smutney as a solution to the growing waste left behind by residents fleeing New York City during the 2020 global pandemic. She watched as perfectly good items (like TVs, cabinets, and clothes) were tossed to the curb and lively streets went quiet as businesses shut down—a saddening combination in a once sleepless city.

“I thought, there’s got to be a way to redistribute these goods,” Smutney says.

To brighten up the neighborhood, Smutney wanted to turn closed storefronts into little Free Store hubs, but official requests to storeowners and the city were ignored. So Smutney found her own outdoor space she thought could work well for a Free Store in Williamsburg.

The community immediately responded positively. Not only was the project removing waste from street curbs, perfectly good items were now accessible to folks that wanted and needed them. Soon mutual aid groups were asking Smutney to build Free Stores in their neighborhood.

“I would instruct and guide and teach, because the whole goal of this, for me, has always been and will always be to … strengthen communities through acts of service and teamwork and collaboration,” says Smutney.

The Free Store Project blossomed into a network of kiosks in a short time. In the first year, The Free Store Project distributed thousands of winter clothing articles, sleeping bags, and blankets to unhoused neighbors and community members. It brought 1,224 school supply packs (consisting of crayons, pencils, folders, etc.) to students across NYC. At its highest point, the Free Store Project had a network of 17 locations and 186 volunteers. Now, Smutney operates two Free Stores in the network and there are several unattended kiosks open 24/7.

Smutney’s success with The Free Store Project is rooted in community care—in the gloomy days of the pandemic, people helping people sparked joy.

A “Free Market” That’s Truly Free

Really Really Free Markets (RRFMs) are like Free Stores, except they look more like a yard sale crossed with a farmers market—there are items laid out on blankets, foods on tables, as well as drum circles, and free services like screen printing and haircuts. RRFMs tend to be single-day events in a public park or community center, whereas Free Stores are more permanent fixtures in the neighborhood.

In Portland, Oregon, organizers (who prefer to remain anonymous to not take credit for the community-wide effort) have run a RRFM in Gateway Discovery Park every April-October since 2021. They initially learned about the concept of RRFMs from a TikTok video, and within a month, created signs and guidelines to host the first RRFM in east Portland.

“There are people that just walk up and discover it, and when we explain it to them, they kind of
don’t believe it,” they say. “I probably hear at least five to ten people every market say, ‘I’m so happy
this exists!’”

Goods like clothes, small furniture, toys, and books are generously given and taken among participants. If there’s a conflict over an item, one of the guidelines is to sort it out with Rock, Paper, Scissors, a method that keeps conflict low, and maintains a sense of humor, according to the organizers.

The organizers also say that RRFMs represent a form of community care that directly challenges the capitalist thesis of scarcity and competition. The Portland RRFM takes a stand against consumerism by illustrating the belief that we live in abundance and can freely share goods and services with each other to build community. RRFMs exist all over the country, from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Tulsa, Oklahoma—find them with an Internet search or by consulting with members of like-minded groups like your neighborhood BuyNothing group or Food Not Bombs chapter.

Joy in Community

These realizations of the gift economy—from Free Stores to free markets and BuyNothing groups—are more than a challenge to hyper-consumerism. They offer healing.

Smutney recalls the story of a woman who used goods from the Free Store to repair her relationship with her daughter. She would pick clothes and toys from the store and bring them to her daughter as gifts.

“It was a way for them to rebuild their relationship because she was providing, and she always felt guilty for not being able to give her daughter the things she wanted growing up, but was able to provide for her granddaughter,” says Smutney.

At the Portland RRFM, the organizers emphasize that the person-to-person connection is what’s so important about the market—the items are merely a vector for sharing community joy.

“As long as the community allows it and wants it, [we’ll keep doing it],” the organizers say. “When you have a lot of stuff at your house, the first thing that comes to mind is: I’ll take it to Goodwill. And you just drop it off. But people get a lot more satisfaction from actually seeing the person that’s going to enjoy it.”

Finding joy in community sharing and caring doesn’t mean you have to start your own market or Free Store (although we’d love to hear if you do, see the box below for tips). Simple first steps can include joining your neighborhood’s local BuyNothing Facebook group or FreeCycle group. Whatever option fits you best, give the gift economy a try.

Cathy Cowan Becker, Green America’s responsible finance campaign director, works with an organization in Ohio to stop fracking in state parks. The state-wide Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission that will decide the matter recently held a public meeting in Columbus seeking input from citizens. But in order to provide your perspective as an Ohioan, you had to be there in person.

“For most people, that meant a two-to-three-hour drive,” Becker says. She knew the tactic would impact turnout to voice opposition.

“I set up a carpool page on groupcarpool.com where drivers could post spots in their cars and people could join a car from their area. We got three cars full and a good turnout. The committee tabled the decision, so we get to do it again next month.”

But even aside from carpooling for political activism, ridesharing offers a win-win-win proposition for people, the planet, and your pocketbook. Many cars can seat several passengers, and yet of the 1.1 billion personal car trips each day in the US, nearly half are driven with only one of those seats occupied, according to the US Department of Transportation.

Every empty seat in the hundreds of millions of cars on the road represents a missed opportunity to save money, reduce traffic and pollution, and build community through a shared ride. While the idea of carpooling isn’t new, several resources make it easier than ever to publicize open spots in your car and to safely seek out promising carpool partners.

The Perks of Carpooling

There are several reasons to carpool—a 2018 study cited “cost of gasoline” and “less expensive than driving alone” as the most pressing motivations, but other reasons included “more convenient parking,” “finding good company to ride with,” and “a variety of pick-up and drop-off times.”

Sharing rides also means fewer cars on the road, which has a major environmental benefit. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, transportation makes up nearly a third of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a whopping 81% of all transportation is made up of light-duty vehicles and medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For trips where walking, biking, or public transportation aren’t an option, ridesharing is a powerful way to cut down on car miles driven. In many cities, carpooling also allows drivers to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, which may have lower traffic.

Amid the US loneliness epidemic, as detailed in the 2023 US Surgeon General Advisory “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation,” carpooling also provides a lifeline: social connection.

Scholar of “social capital” Robert Putnam, the author of Bowling Alone, has documented that across the population, every ten minutes of additional commuting time is correlated with a ten percent lower level of social connectedness. In a world where isolation poses serious health risks (29% higher risk of premature death, 32% higher risk of stroke), carpooling could literally be lifesaving.

Remember that while ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft may be useful, they are not the same as carpooling. Paying a ride-share service does not remove a car from the road, does not foster the same community connection as developing a cooperative arrangement with other travelers, and does not save money like carpooling.

Share Rides to Work, School, and Worship

If you don’t have a friend or co-worker ready and willing to carpool with you, online tools can make finding carpool partners easy and safe.

The first step is to locate fellow carpoolers, so tap your community. Put out the word in-person at school events, church, or the office breakroom. In the internet age, check out your school or work’s website, or see if they have a Facebook or Nextdoor group, and inquire there.

“Incentive programs help encourage pooling,” says Adam Cohen and Susan Shaheen, members of UC Berkeley’s Transportation Sustainability Research Center. “There can be direct cash incentives, free parking, and more, offered or funded by employers and public agencies.”

Companies like RideShare and CarpoolWorld make it even easier, by offering ride-sharing services to
employers, so don’t hesitate to advocate for an incentive program at your workplace.

Share Rides to Events

Next time you’re planning a car trip to a large gathering such as a conference, concert, sports game, festival, or celebration, look for an opportunity to share rides there and back.

SpaceShare.com develops customized ridesharing applications for large festivals, conferences, and
community events.

AlterNetWays provides software to help coordinate transportation, such as a customized ride-sharing application for an event website for $50.

“Think about football games,” muses AlterNetWays’ CEO Mark Evanoff, noting that universities could help organize ridesharing to both home and away games. “Somewhere on the university’s website there will be a link to buy tickets to the game. Universities could add just one more link that says, ‘click here to carpool to this game.’”

For private events like weddings or family reunions, there are a variety of free technologies that can help participants find a ride. Try setting up a spreadsheet online through Google Sheets and create a public URL for the document that you can share with guests by e-mail.

Share Rides in Town

Many local ridesharing resources serve particular metropolitan areas. Many lively local websites, sometimes established by the municipal transportation authority, help citizens share rides.

For example, at Central Texas’ Commute Solutions, neighbors collaborate locally to set up carpools for one-time and recurring car trips.

AlterNetWays also works directly with local transportation authorities to provide a customized application that allows residents to coordinate ridesharing through the city or county’s transportation website.

Across the country, city officials may already offer carpool services you didn’t know about—try searching online for: “[city name] transportation department carpool.” For example, in the Bay Area of California, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) supports carpooling in various ways, providing dedicated drop-off/pick-up zones downtown, parking permits, discounted rates, and more.

Erica Kato, chief spokesperson of SFMTA, stressed the importance of a well-maintained ridesharing service in order to achieve the benefits of carpooling like saving money and reducing emissions: “As folks get used to having car share available and get rid of a personal car (or forego purchase of a new one), having that car share service get less reliable is a bad thing—we don’t want to drive people back to buying their own cars.”

If possible, you can also reduce your environmental impact by walking, scootering, biking to stores, parks, and other recreational areas in your neighborhood. According to a 2021 study in “Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment,” people can reduce their transportation footprint by 67% by choosing a bike over a car for one trip a day.

Share Rides Out of Town

Heading out of town for the weekend? A number of national ridesharing websites help carpoolers find each other for trips between cities. CarpoolWorld offers inter-city rides, as do apps like Hitch or Ridesharing.

Cohen and Shaheen believe carpooling can increase thanks to technology: “Digital matching platforms and rating systems can help enhance trust between carpooling partners and match carpoolers with similar preferences (such as carpoolers with similar interests and/or music preferences, etc.).”

Safety is another ride-sharing concern, and it is always important to practice caution when matching with someone you don’t know to share rides. This can mean making sure someone you trust knows your ride-share details, and you agree on clear guidelines and rules with other participants, including any health concerns, such as agreeing to mask while in a confined space, or keeping a clean car. Let’s Go Smart, a Springfield, MO program encouraging climate-friendly transportation, provides a useful carpool FAQ addressing safety and other concerns.

With all the benefits and increased ease of ridesharing, Evanoff envisions a day soon when cooperatively sharing car rides will become a routine part of planning how to get from point A to B.

Few things bring people together like food. Steaming casseroles, warm noodles, smoked
veggies—and while we all wish we could eat great food every night, the reality is that leftovers can be monotonous, and cooking can be exhausting.

Cooking cooperatives can take the stress out of cooking several nights a week and can bring exciting flavors to the table, often for much lower prices than cooking alone. With today’s hectic schedules and evolving lifestyles, one of the many shapes and sizes of cooking co-ops may fit your unique needs.

Cooperative Cooking for Young Adults

The Southern Scholarship Foundation in Florida has been practicing cooperative living for over 60 years. A nonprofit housing community for college students made up of 26 houses across six universities, all residents are high-achieving students of underserved backgrounds. Every Monday through Thursday, two or three students will cook in bulk and the house will sit down together to have dinner.

One of the joys of cooperative cooking is the chance to try new flavors from different cultures. Julian Romero, a student at the University of Florida in Gainesville and house manager of Williams-Pilot Scholarship House, says that in a single week alone his house has eaten Korean ground beef, chicken casserole, and vegan walnut and lentil Bolognese.

Ja’Chelle Johnson, a student at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee and house manager at LaVerne Weddle Pilot Scholarship House, says that “what I like about house dinners is the sense of unity, having dinner together with other people and hearing about their days, it feels like a real family. I enjoy learning about the different cultures of people I live with.”

Cooking Co-ops for Community

Cooking cooperatives do not have to involve living together—neighbors, friends, and families can work together in unique ways to share good food without the same roof over their heads.

For example, in Birmingham, Alabama, a cooking cooperative fed three entire families for ten years— until the families’ kids were grown. Ruthann Betz-Essinger and her friends Leigh Fran and Caroline would each cook a single large meal per week to feed all three families, and package the results into thirds. One share of each big meal would stay home, with the other two portions delivered to to the other families. In other words, through the power of cooperation, each family would cook only once each week, but would receive three fully prepared dinners.

Each Sunday, the group would share the packages amongst each other. Betz-Essinger says the group would provide each other with directions on how to reheat and prepare the meals, and that her family enjoyed the variety of dinners each week’s exchange would provide.

The cooking co-op was most helpful on busy weeknights—instead of having to prepare a meal from scratch after a long day, or resort to quick take-out, Betz-Essinger would simply open her refrigerator to find a meal already assembled. After reheating, her family would enjoy a delicious, healthy, homemade dinner.

“We loved the co-op as it gave us a huge variety of food, tastes, and flavors,” says Betz-Essinger. “I loved the surprise of what was in the bag as well as trying something that I would never have made for myself.”

The cooking co-op phased out as the families began to shrink. All the children who enjoyed their families’ shared meals are now in their mid-20s, married and living in different places across the country. Ruthann, Leigh Fran, and Caroline remain friends, however, and in reflecting on her co-op experiences for this article, Ruthann says she was inspired to give a new version of a cooking co-op a try.

“I think I will call Leigh Fran and Caroline to see if we should start up the co-op again since we are all empty nesters,” says Betz-Essinger. “It would be easier this time as we would be cooking just for six!”

If you like to eat well, save time and money, and build community in the process, consider forming a cooking co-op.

Do you want to increase the vegetarian component of your diet, whether for budget reasons, health reasons, or to protect the climate?

Maybe you are one of 7 in 10 Americans already doing your best to trim your personal greenhouse gas emissions—driving an electric car, putting up solar panels, or composting at home. None of us can do everything, but one option for helping out the climate at home is to eat fewer animal products, especially those from animals raised in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). In the U.S. alone, there are 21,000 CAFOs, and 90% of animals destined for human consumption are raised in these factories. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, freshwater resources, pesticide use, and airborne emissions, CAFOs are notably detrimental to our environment. Read on to see how limiting animal products can help lower your carbon footprint.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

One of the most widely-publicized environmental liabilities of animal agriculture is the greenhouse gas emissions that come from intensively farming animals. At nearly every process along the way, an assortment of dangerous gasses are emitted. It’s often a compounded problem because land is cleared and deforested to make room for animal farming, decreasing carbon dioxide absorption; and that land is then actively used for activities that release greenhouse gasses.

Certain animals, such as cows and sheep, belch methane, and the manure of all animal species decomposes and releases both methane and CO2. Transport and slaughter require additional fossil fuels. The three largest contributing sectors are beef, lamb, and dairy (specifically cheese), according to Our World Data and the Environmental Working Group. In contrast, life cycle assessments of most plant-based products have been found to have significantly lower carbon footprints.

Freshwater and Waste

While human bodies require on average a ½ gallon of water/day, fresh water given to sustain animals used for agriculture amounts to 20% of all global freshwater. Beef cattle require an average of 12 gallons of fresh water a day; cows utilized for milk production require 30-50 gallons (the size of an average bathtub); and pigs and sheep require between 3-7 gallons/day depending on gestation status and temperature. In addition to the animals’ water requirements, the operations themselves are incredibly water intensive because water is used to flush away manure from floors, to wash both live and slaughtered animals, to water the crops used to feed animals as compared to crops we directly eat, and during processing (such as chickens that are scalded in hot water before feathers are plucked).

What about output? Dairy cows excrete ~100 lbs of manure a day, beef cattle excrete up to 60-75 lbs, and pigs excrete ~11 lbs. For comparison, humans excrete about ¼ lb. While human waste water is required to be treated in water treatment plants, livestock waste does not have this same requirement, and may contain bacteria, heavy metals, medications, antibiotics, and hormones that enter our groundwater supply and waterways.

Pesticide Use

When people think of pesticides, they often think of fruits and vegetables. But meat and milk can contain high amounts of pesticides because these substances bioaccumulate in animal tissue. Glyphosate concentrations are allowed to be more than 100X higher on crops used to feed animals as compared to crops we directly eat. For example, upper limits on carrots for human consumption are 5 ppm, while upper limits on forage, fodder, and hay for livestock are 300 ppm. The World Health Organization reports that “More than 90% of human exposure to dioxins is through the food supply, mainly meat and dairy products, fish and shellfish.” Many of the pesticides used in the U.S. on feed crops (such as atrazine and paraquat) have been banned by other countries. In addition to documented human health effects of pesticides, widespread pesticide application threatens biodiversity and endangers the health of ecosystems.

Airborne Emissions

While most other emitting industries are regulated, industrial animal agriculture has exploited a loophole for nearly two decades. In 2005, under the Bush administration, the “Air Consent Agreement” was enacted. CAFOs agreed to have their emissions monitored by paying a fee in exchange for the EPA releasing them from any federal or state liability for past and future emissions violations until the study was completed. 90% of animal feeding operations signed up and encouraged other producers to sign up. Animal industries that fall under this study include pigs, broiler chickens, egg laying operations, and dairies. Emissions include methane, ammonia, VOCs, hydrogen sulfide, and particulates. Per the EPA itself, “reporting of air emissions from animal waste at farms is not required under EPCRA [Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act].” Eighteen years later, the study has yet to be completed and the EPA has failed to produce any report that outlines actions the industries need to take under the Clean Air Act.

Tips and Resources

Knowing all this, what can individuals do to reduce their meat and dairy consumption? Try the following:

• Check out the charts published by the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan that rank foods in terms of their greenhouse gas emissions and choose foods that are more planet friendly.
• Choose plant foods when you can: the vast majority are significantly less water intensive than animal-based foods.
• Try out different non-dairy milks; charts published by Our World in Data show some environmental footprints of dairy and a selection of non-dairy milks.
• Start a Climate Victory Garden at home.
• Consider taking part in Meatless Mondays or other challenges to reduce the animal products in your diet, such as Veganuary.
• Sprout beans at home to obtain a great source of protein, fiber, and minerals.
• Grow microgreens! These take up minimal space, grow quickly, and can be higher in micronutrients than their larger counterparts.

However you choose to boost the plant-based content of your diet, you can feel confident your meatless choices have a positive impact on the planet, and you might just save some money too.

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 food on a budget, and even build community along the way. 

The good reasons to do so go beyond protecting your health and the health of your family. Prioritizing organic food also means protecting farmworkers, farming communities, and the environment (including pollinators and other beneficial insects) from exposure to harmful pesticides.

So, whether you’re going organic for reasons of personal health, or social and environmental protection (or all three!), we have some tips on how to increase your access to healthy, organic foods, and even build community along the way.

Prioritizing Your Organic Choices

The Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce is a treasure trove of information for organic shopping. One gem is their “Dirty Dozen” list—fruits and vegetables most likely to retain pesticide residue even on grocery-store shelves.

“Numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown that consumption of produce high in pesticide residues … increases the risk of certain negative health impacts,” explains the EWG. “The potential health problems connected to pesticides include brain and nervous system toxicity, cancer and hormone disruption.”

A major area of concern for EWG is children’s health. EWG explains that even low levels of pesticide exposure can negatively affect childhood development. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken steps over time to control pesticide usage, the EWG says that current regulations still fall short.

Sarah Graddy, EWG’s senior communications advisor for agriculture and climate warns about “persistent messaging from industry lobby groups” claiming that certain pesticides and agricultural practices are safe by pointing to government approval. “Our primary message, beyond eat more fruits and vegetables, is that legal does not always mean safe.”

Dr. Alexis Temkin, EWG’s senior toxicologist, adds that “when you see people switch to an organic diet, the levels of those pesticides that you can measure in people drop really, really quickly.”

To help you with your organic choices, the EWG also publishes the “Clean Fifteen”, a list of fruits and vegetables that are safer to buy non-organic because they retain lower levels of pesticide residue. Some of these items can be expensive, so to be truly budget-conscious, you may wish to limit purchases to within their growing season, or eliminate purchases overall of fruits and vegetables that don’t grow in your bio-region. This has the added benefit of reducing consumption of items that have traveled the farthest to arrive at your local store—a climate win and budget win all at once.

More Tips and Strategies

When it comes to shopping organic on a budget, here are further strategies that can help you with your grocery list:

• Vegetarian and vegan diets are generally the most affordable, studies have found. Cutting meat out of your kitchen can greatly reduce your bill, so switching to a plant-based diet can do wonders for both the environment and your wallet. The benefits of this strategy can be felt even eating meatless a couple days a week.
• Frozen organic foods are also a good option that can even have higher nutritional value, as they are harvested later in their life cycle when nutrition is at its peak, and they don’t lose nutritional value in transportation.
• Starting a garden can save money, cut pesticides, and reduce carbon emissions compared to store-bought vegetables. Turning your backyard, patio, or balcony into a regenerative Climate Victory Garden provides the opportunity to grow the most local organic produce possible while simultaneously giving back to the environment.

• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) groups can help you access fresh and local organic produce. These community groups partner with local farms to provide members with a regular supply of produce, often paid for at the start of the growing season by an up-front membership fee that helps farmers plant without borrowing money. In turn, members receive a bountiful supply of local foods, saving money in the long run over conventional grocery costs. To increase accessibility, many CSAs offer sliding scale pricing, installment plans, or other pricing structures that extend through the growing season.
  The USDA Local Food Directories can help you find nearby CSA programs, farmers’ markets, and other local food resources. Their search tool can filter your search for options that match your budget, like CSAs that welcome volunteer work as payment, or those that accept nutrition assistance programs. Farmers’ markets often take SNAP or EBT benefits, and can offer prices cheaper than the grocery store.
• Recipients of SNAP or EBT benefits can save even more. Now available in 25 states, the Double Up Food Bucks Program doubles your benefits when they are spent on fresh fruit or vegetables. Anyone receiving SNAP or EBT benefits is automatically eligible.

With knowledge on your side, you can determine your own priorities to guide your organic shopping strategies, focus your organic purchasing on the right items for you, and still work to keep costs down. Whether you can utilize one or all of the resources mentioned here, every step taken towards a more sustainable future supporting organic agriculture is a win.

WBeing more sustainable on a budget doesn’t just mean cutting down on costs – you can actually save money going green. To help you become more environmentally friendly while you save money going green, we’ve compiled this list of strategies to get you started. 

Green Home Incentives

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed in 2022 is the most significant climate change action taken by Congress yet, and it can help you green your home and transportation with a wide range of tax credits available for completing sustainable upgrades.

The government recommends beginning with a professional home energy audit to ensure that energy-efficient upgrades are not sabotaged by external factors in your home—a process that can earn you a 30% tax credit, if eligible. From there, you can select which green home and vehicle updates might be right for you, from energy-efficient windows and skylights to solar water heaters, rooftop solar, and more.

One Less Car

Transportation produces the largest share of US greenhouse gas emissions at 29% of our total. If we all drove 10% less than we do now, we would see a reduction of about 110 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, or the equivalent of powering nearly 14 million homes for one year.

Ditching your car entirely is a huge step towards reducing carbon emissions, as is reducing a two-car household to one car only or making your second car an electric vehicle (something the IRA can help with, and that will save money in the long-term). Simply replacing as many car-trips as possible with walking, biking, or public transportation is a good option as well.

“My favorite is to run errands on foot or on my bicycle. I save money on gas and get some exercise at the same time. I also avoid the hassles of being stuck in traffic,” says Todd Larsen, Green America’s executive co-director for consumer and corporate engagement. “And it’s better for the planet.”

Love Your Local Library

What’s not to love about public libraries? Libraries reuse resources in countless different ways, providing the public with accessible information and entertainment while contributing to carbon footprint reduction. Many libraries are now expanding beyond books, circulating a wide range of materials, such as craft kits, baking supplies, yard games, and more for their patrons.

“I get a lot of my books from Little Green Libraries or public libraries. The books are free, and I give them back after I’ve read them for others to enjoy,” says Larsen.

Grow Your Own

Gardening is a fun and cost-effective way to go green (literally!) and save money. If you have access to space for your own garden, winter is a great time to begin designing your plot for next season. If you don’t have your own space, consider other ways of planning ahead this winter to grow your own food in the spring—by seeking out local community gardens or working to start a new one with your city, house of worship, or local school.

The National Gardening Association has estimated that with a $70 per year investment you can grow up to $600 of fresh vegetables—a $530 savings! If you find yourself with more produce than you need, you can also consider trading your excess with others (another way to save money), donating to your local food bank, or preserving your excess by canning or freezing to keep saving money all winter long.

Green While You Clean

Looking at standard cleaning products reveals several opportunities for sustainable swaps: replacing paper towels with rags, making your own solutions like all-purpose cleaner and laundry detergent, and swapping single-use spray bottles with reusable glass alternatives are just a few steps that transform household upkeep into environmental support. Even personal hygiene products become a chance to make a difference.

“My favorite green-on-a-budget tip is bar shampoo and conditioner! It’s so much more bang for your buck, involves no plastic, and lasts for months,” says Anya Crittenton, Green America's editorial and green business communication associate. “Plus, there’s so many options for scents and hair types. I’m particularly obsessed with my purple bar conditioner to help keep my blonde from becoming too brassy—just as good, if not better, than a bottle!”

Reuse, Reuse, Reuse

Incorporating a philosophy of reuse into your lifestyle not only contributes hugely to waste reduction and climate health, but will also take some pressure off your wallet. Plus, there are so many ways to implement this concept!

Consider participating in community exchange groups (for everything from clothing to tools, appliances, or other household items); ditching single-use items for reusable alternatives; and frequenting resale stores and warehouses, yard sales, garage sales, and flea markets.

“I look for clothes, furniture and garden tools first at resale stores—it’s surprising how often you can find good quality things this way,” says Mary Swanson, senior programs specialist at Green America’s Clean Electronic Production Network.

What Really Matters? Buy Less.

When we put out our trash, it goes to landfills or industrial waste incinerators. Whether buried or burned, our trash generates methane and nitrous oxide, two greenhouse gases more harmful than carbon dioxide. Household consumption as a whole contributes to up to 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Making more intentional choices about our purchases not only helps alleviate this massive impact on the environment, but also directly reduces the amount of money we’re spending on a wide range of material goods.

“I think the best eco-label on a product would read: ‘Do you really need this?’ I try to avoid impulse purchases by meal planning and shopping from a list at the grocery store,” says Swanson.

Low- or No-Cost Gifts

We recommend applying these cost-saving ideas to your holiday giving, and perhaps agreeing with friends and family to spend less money, while still making the season meaningful. Reused items, such as vintage vinyl records or clothing, can make excellent gifts, as can passing along a treasured heirloom. Friends and family will appreciate your time and talents as much as a material object, so consider writing a heartfelt letter as a gift, or providing an experience—maybe a home-cooked meal, prepared with preserved veggies from the garden in idea #1.

Tapping into techniques and resources like these can open the door for your own budget-friendly social and environmental impact.

We hope this issue of the Green American brings a smile of recognition to all of our readers who grew up with budget-conscious elders.

“Turn off the light when you leave the room.”

“Don’t waste food; someone else could eat that.”

“In my day we walked; you don’t need a car.”

Going green on a budget isn’t a new concept. In fact, in many ways, the goals of “living green,” and “sticking to a budget,” are the same: to live within our means, recognizing that resources are limited, and that waste comes with a cost. The same lessons about responsible consumption apply whether we are considering the resources of an individual, a family, a community, or the human family stewarding the resources of the planet that we share.

Adopting green-living choices may quite naturally align with the budget-conscious choices many are already making, especially those suffering from economic hardship or the recent high levels of inflation. However, living green is not just a luxury for the privileged few. This issue dives into budget-friendly strategies for everyone to pursue sustainable options for the purchasing categories where households often devote most of their spending, such as food, transportation, and clothing, offering specific suggestions in each category. Shifting purchases within these categories can have the greatest impact—on your budget, and for people and planet.

At the same time, many of the concepts behind the suggestions are universal—applicable across categories, and, as noted above, draw upon the wisdom that thoughtful, future-focused elders have passed on to younger generations for years, such as:

The value of sharing: While our society often prioritizes ownership, sharing our resources can also mean sharing our costs, and ultimately saving both. Are there household items that you don’t use often?  Consider sharing with neighbors, friends, and family. Find more ways to swap and share resources with your community with Free Stores and Really Really Free Markets.

The value of cooperation: While our society often prioritizes rugged individualism, communities collaborating together can develop incredible cooperative resilience that supports both a sustainable and budget-conscious lifestyle. Consider collaborating with others on meal-planning and transportation.

The need to take a long view: Finally, while our society often prioritizes instant gratification, evaluating our actions within a longer-term perspective can help us identify the choices that are more sustainable—and over time, more budget-conscious. For example, while a green-energy upgrade at home might require up-front costs, your investments will pay for themselves in reduced energy bills for years (and you might qualify for a tax credit). While a fast-fashion outfit might be the cheapest short-term option, well-made vintage, or new responsibly produced clothing can last years longer and not need to be replaced. And while organic food can sometimes cost a bit more than conventional, the long-term benefits to your health and the health of workers and the environment will save on medical and remedial costs in the future.

Our green-on-a-budget recommendations begin with eight initial suggestions to go green and save money. We hope the stories of other Green Americans making budget-conscious and sustainable choices will inspire new steps for everyone interested in building a resilient future.

November 13 was the first day of Transgender Awareness Week, a 7-day stretch dedicated to highlighting the vast range of issues faced by members of the transgender and gender non-conforming community through education and advocacy, which culminates in the observance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) on November 20.  

The first TDoR was held as a vigil in 1999 in honor of the recent deaths Rita Hester and Chanelle Pickett, two Black transgender women from Boston who were victims of anti-transgender violence and subsequent transphobic media coverage. Now, TDoR is a yearly memorialization of victims of anti-transgender violence – both in memory of lost members of the transgender and gender non-conforming community this year as well as the long and tragic history of fatal transphobia.  

Transgender people live with a much higher likelihood than cisgender people of experiencing violent crime. The 2023 Trans Murder Monitoring Report shows that the number of reported murders of transgender and gender non-conforming people this year is just shy of 2021’s deadliest year of anti-transgender violence on record, with transgender women and femmes, especially Black women, disproportionately affected. 

With the transgender community facing unprecedented rates of anti-transgender laws, violence, and relentless public transphobia, this year’s Transgender Awareness Week holds even more weight than ever before when it comes to the crucial need for recognition and allyship. With an overwhelming amount of mainstream media coverage and conversation about transgender and gender non-conforming people riddled with misinformation and bigotry, this week is a call to take the time to truly educate yourself on the truths of transgender experience and discrimination. 

Listening to and amplifying transgender voices on personal experience and critical needs for advocacy to ensure the safety and livelihoods of all members of the community is a crucial first step with an importance difficult to overstate. As we approach TDoR while fighting through years of record levels of anti-transgender violence and a future that often feels overwhelmingly bleak, hear the call of Transgender Awareness Week to dedicate yourself to allyship and supporting the transgender and gender non-conforming community.  

Holiday background and social justice 

History/background of transweek  

TDOR origin 

Trans Murder Monitoring Report 2023 

GLAAD TDOR 

This is what Trans Solidarity Really Means 

GLSEN Pronoun Guide National Center for Transgender Equality – State Action Center 

HRC Fatal Violence List 2023 

If You Care About Reproductive Justice, You Should Care About Transgender Rights (from 2015)  

Trans Violence and Deadnaming in Media 

Economy    

The Financial Penalty for Being Transgender in America 

Queer & Trans Liberation Means Economic Justice For All! 

The economic consequences of anti-trans legislation 

Environnent 

Yes, trans rights are an environmental issue, too 

Queering the environmental movement 

In person events 

Trans Awareness Week: Gender Affirming Closet (Old Dominion)  

Virtual events 

Live Out Loud! Transgender Day of Remembrance Virtual Panel 

Books 

This Body I Wore By : Diana Goetsch 

Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More By: Janet Mock  

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out By: Susan Kuklin 

How to They/Them By: Stuart Getty  

Find tips for greening your meals, clothing, transportation, and more, all without breaking the bank.

Hill + House is your one-stop-shop for eco-friendly and sustainable products. We are a team of passionate individuals committed to creating a better, greener world for ourselves and future generations. Our journey started with a simple idea - to make sustainable living accessible and affordable for everyone. We believe that small changes can have a big impact, and that's why we have curated a range of eco-friendly products that make it easy to live a sustainable lifestyle.

From reusable water bottles to laundry detergent sheets, we offer a wide range of sustainable alternatives that are kinder to the environment. Our products are carefully selected based on their quality, sustainability and impact on the environment. We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint, and that's why we use only 50-100% recycled and biodegradable materials for our packaging. We’re also committed to supporting a variety of nonprofits, through our 1% for the Planet membership, that help with environmental conservation and preservation.

As a major food manufacturer, B&G Foods – the owner of iconic brands like Green Giant, Cream of Wheat, and Spice Islands – has the power to drive adoption of regenerative agriculture – a holistic approach that rebuilds soil health, sequesters carbon, increases yields sustainably, reduces pollution, and mitigates climate change.

Owner of Popular Brands Like Green Giant, Skinnygirl and Ortega Under Pressure for Use of Pesticides that Harm Farmworkers and Pollinators, Lack of Regenerative Agriculture Practices.

WASHINGTON, DC – November 14, 2023 – Green America launched a new advocacy campaign against B&G Foods to urge the company to limit pesticide use and adopt environmentally responsible agriculture practices. The New Jersey-based holding company, which owns dozens of popular brands including Green Giant, Skinnygirl, Ortega, Fleischmann's, Cream of Wheat, Spice Islands and Crisco, received an “F” grade in the recent “Pesticides in the Pantry” scorecard released by the nonprofit As You Sow that graded the pesticide practices of major food companies.

On October 11, Green America sent B&G CEO Kenneth Keller Jr. a letter on behalf of its members, including over 250,000 consumers and 2,000 businesses. The letter requested a meeting about reducing the use of pesticides in B&G’s supply chain and adopting regenerative agriculture practices. B&G has yet to respond.

Emma Kriss, food campaigns manager at Green America, said: “We are urging B&G to become a ‘green’ agricultural giant by phasing out harmful pesticides, adopting regenerative agriculture, and implementing policies to protect workers and communities from pesticide exposure.”

Kendra Klein, deputy director of science at Friends of the Earth, said: "Amid rising concern about an insect apocalypse decimating the small but mighty pollinators responsible for one in three bites of food we eat, food companies like B&G Foods must take immediate action to address the pervasive use of toxic pesticides in their supply chains.”

The campaign petition urges B&G to:

• Adopt a plan to transition all supply chains to ecological regenerative agriculture by 2035 through techniques like no-till farming, cover-cropping, and crop rotation.
• End use of highly hazardous pesticides, phase out all harmful pesticides, and adopt Integrated Pest Management for all brands.
• Implement policies to protect farmers, farmworkers, communities, and pollinators from pesticide exposures.

In anticipation of the Green America campaign and As You Sow scorecard, B&G posted a hasty statement on pesticides. But the statement is vague. B&G must create a meaningful plan and timeline for addressing pesticides and regenerative agriculture.

Based on publicly available information, B&G currently does not have a pesticide reduction strategy or any public disclosures regarding pesticide policies or practices. There is also no information regarding the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices, which include techniques like no-till farming, cover-cropping, and crop rotation to improve soil health, capture carbon, retain nutrients, hold moisture, and reduce erosion.

B&G should adopt a rigorous integrated pest management (IPM) program to reduce and phase out all synthetic pesticide use. IPM utilizes natural predators and parasites, biological controls, and improved sanitation to control pests. This approach minimizes environmental impact and reduces pesticide residues in food and water.

The campaign also urges B&G to implement health and safety policies that exceed EPA regulations to protect farmworkers and communities from pesticide-related illnesses. Mandatory protective equipment, proper education on the pesticides in use and their risks (in native languages as appropriate), enforced re-entry intervals, pesticide application buffers from homes and schools, and regular biomonitoring of farmworkers' blood can better safeguard workers and families from avoidable harm.

Transitioning to regenerative agriculture and reducing pesticide use is critical for the future of food production. Unlike many large agricultural companies, B&G is failing to act on harmful pesticides that endanger consumers, farmers and farmworkers, agricultural communities, and pollinators. As a leader in the food industry, the actions B&G Foods take can catalyze much-needed change.

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

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

The holidays are upon us and with them the flurry to find the perfect gift for loved ones. This year, consider giving to not just people, but the planet, too, by shopping our Fair Trade Gift Guide. 

Fair trade is a system of exchange that honors producers, communities, consumers, and the environment. It is a model for the global economy rooted in people-to-people connections, justice, and sustainability. 

The fair trade movement has grown in demand over the decades – the most obvious sign being the development of multiple fair trade organizations and certifications, which promise that producers receive and give their workers a living wage, supply chains are ethical and sustainable, and labor laws are followed. 

Every item recommended in this article comes from our thousands of certified Green Business Network members (and specifically our fair trade members), which meet or exceed Green America’s standards for social and environmental responsibility. 

For the Homebodies 

The 100% Organic Hemp Bed Sheet Collection from Delilah Home features hemp fibers, known for softness, breathability, and temperature-regulating properties, as well as being one of the more sustainable crops.

Make a statement at home with the Jellyfish Cocoa Lamp from daiseye. The lamp is made from fossilized cocoa leaves and wrought iron and is sure to get all your guests talking. 

Add a splash of color to your home with the Funky Mushroom Trio chime set from Mira Fair Trade, made of reused metal. 

Liven up a boring refrigerator with the Beaded Rhino Magnet from Wireworx, handmade from glass beads in South Africa and Zimbabwe. 

Handcrafted in an artisans' cooperative in Ecuador, this pair of Fair Trade Ecuadorean Tagua Chess Pawn Figurines from Cadeaux du Monde is a wholly unique gift. 

For Those Who Love Fashion 

The Raja Rainbow Hoops from WorldFinds are a beautiful gift, with an even more beautiful story. This fair trade business works with women artisans around the world—including women in India, who use fabric scraps from traditional Kantha quilts to create pieces like these earrings.

All the art lovers in your life will be wowed by the jewelry of Dunitz & Company. These Degas Ballerina Earrings feature the unmistakable work of Edgar Degas created with wood board made from recycled eucalyptus. 

Gift a loved one with a gold-dipped rose crown the from Belart and help them become the fantasy character of their dreams. 

A perfect gift for the activist in your life, the Mantra Bracelets from Mayan Hands feature various inspiring words and are made of 100% cotton. 

For the Globe-Trotters 

WorldFinds’ Kutch Mosaic Crossbody bag is the perfect accessory for those on the go, small enough to not be cumbersome, while still eye-catching and ideal for all the important things you need to keep handy. 

Travel organized with the Wayfarer Traveler Jewelry Roll from Tenfold Fair Trade Collection. The piece is made from handwoven organic cotton by artisans in Cambodia, screen-printed by hand using eco-friendly dyes, and accessories from vegan leather, including a loop on the back to hang the organizer. 

For longer trips your friend is taking, gift them the Batik Patchwork Weekender Bag from Fair Trade Winds. Batik is an Indonesian technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to the whole cloth and this bag is made of 100% cotton with upcycled flour sack lining inside. 

For the Little Ones 

The Travel Tic Tac Toe Game from daiseye is a great stocking stuffer for kids of all ages! The drawstring bag is made of cotton with a kantha stitch tic tac toe board for use with the Neem wood X and O chips found inside.

This gift is double the fun for kiddos! The Hand Felted Tooth Fairy Pillow from Just Creations is both a lovely doll for kids and its small pocket for lost teeth is the perfect way to welcome the tooth fairy. 

Encourage the artistic pursuits of anyone with Tenfold’s Pine Crayon Bundles, made from pine brances and sold in bundles of 10. 

Books are a staple gift for a reason—especially when they boast such a fascinating story! Reach and Teach offers several genres for all ages. This book, The Pearl Hunter by Miya T. Beck, for middle grade readers, follows a young pearl diver who goes to the ends of the earth to rescue her twin sister, stolen by a ghost whale, in a fantasy world inspired by pre-Shogun era Japan. 

Give the stylish gift of A Day at the Beach Kids' Patchwork Pants made of 100% cotton in Nepal from Soul Flower Boho & Organic Clothing. 

For the Foodies 

Never skimp on the spices with this South African tomato pepper, featuring sun-dried tomato, black peppercorns, garlic, onion, red bell pepper, olives, and basil, sold by Just Creations. This spice comes from Burlap & Barrel, which sources spices directly from farmer cooperatives and small farms. 

Up pizza night with the fun and handy Bike Pizza Cutter from Fair Trade Winds. 

Try out new meals with Reach and Teach’s Cook Real Hawai’i cookbook by Sheldon Simeon, boasting uncomplicated, flavor-forward recipes. 

In an ever-stressful world, give yourself and loved ones some grace and compassion with a warm cup of cinnamon tea from Traditional Medicinals. 

Or maybe your giftee is more of a coffee person. There’s no better coffee than Velasquez Family Coffee, featuring quality coffee from Honduras, like the Maximo's French Roast Coffee (dark).

November has arrived and that means one thing—no, no, not Thanksgiving or fall decorations—it's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! Or school finals are coming up. Or you’re getting ready to start painting or cross-stitching holiday gifts. No matter the project, there’s a chill in the air, and it’s time to bundle up and invest in sustainable creative accessories and products to pursue your hobbies. 

Every item recommended in this article comes from our thousands of certified Green Business Network members, which meet or exceed Green America’s standards for social and environmental responsibility.   

Notebooks, Pens, and Beyond 

The first thing any good creative needs is a collection of reliable writing tools, especially if you’re old-school and prefer longhand for notes, outlines, even full stories! Or if you’re an artist, you can use these products to sketch whatever’s in your imagination. 

We’Moon has all the mystical products to get the creative juices flowing and stay on track with your writing goals. 

The company’s moon calendars and planners can help you figure out the best writing timeline based on moon phases and stick to your deadlines. 

You can also check out the We’Moon tarot deck, with art from women around the world, to consult the major and minor arcana for ideas. 

We’Moon also has an annual literary and art journal with submissions open from March through July once you’re finished with that short story or painting. 

For all your paper needs, Green Field Paper Company is a one-stop shop. 

Theis sustainable business offers everything from seed paper and greeting cards to hemp folders and labels. 

EcoPlum offers all sorts of unique, sustainable office supplies that will make your writing journey easier. 

Their wireless earbuds and wood mousepads will aid those who prefer to write or draw on a computer, while their vast collection of notebooks and pens, made from recycled materials, are great for those ideas you have on the go. 

Make Sure You’re Comfortable 

Perhaps you’re a desk worker, or you like to curl up in a cozy armchair while imagining far-off places. Either way, it’s important to be comfortable when you’re in the creative space. There’s nothing worse than not being able to get in the groove because you’re hungry or cold or your upstairs neighbor won’t stop playing the drums. 

If the air is crisp and the sky is grey, don’t worry about being cold with Mira Fair Trade’s handmade quilts and throws.

Organic and Healthy offers organic cotton blankets in a variety of weaves for whatever texture you prefer, whether it’s a waffle blanket or one also made with chenille. 

If you’re someone who likes to create to music, or needs to drown out the world, then don’t miss out on EcoPlum’s bamboo Bluetooth speakers. 

For all the extra comforts, check out sustainable online retailer What’s Good for cute, printed socks (with the profits going to various causes!) and delicious chocolate bars. 

Set the Scene 

Notes of orange, cinnamon, and clove fill the room and transport you to the magical land you’re creating, all thanks to Sea Witch Botanicals’ Quoth the Raven candle from What’s Good. 

What’s Good boasts a unique collection of candles, incense, and essential oils to make sure the ambience is exactly what you need. You can also set an intention for your project with a crystal intention candle. 

For other scents and options, look through a variety of candles made of sustainable waxes at Sunbeam Candles and Honey Candles. 

It’s also important to make sure your own scene is conducive to and clear for creative thoughts. 

Dolphin Blue has tons of office supplies to organize everything from pens to notes and all the miscellaneous desk clutter that helps the space feel like you. 

Now, go forth and create your masterpiece—for people and the planet. 

The start of November also signifies the beginning of Native American Heritage Month, a dedicated time to recognize, honor, and commemorate the culture, history, and impact of Indigenous people and communities across the Nation. This year’s theme is Celebrating Tribal Sovereignty and Identity. 

 Initiated federally in 1990, Native American Heritage Month highlights an open opportunity for Native American communities to celebrate shared traditions and arts while remembering their culture’s ever-significant history. For non-Indigenous observers, this commemorative month should act as a stark reminder of the massive and urgent line of work to be done to begin to reconcile the long and painful tragedies inflicted by colonialism and persistent controlling Western narratives. 

Native American Heritage Month also encompasses the National Day of Mourning for Native Americans, recognized on the fourth Thursday of November in opposition to the common Western celebration of Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving holiday, which to most non-Indigenous people has been portrayed as a festive meal celebrating discovery and community, truly serves as a twisted recognition of mass colonialism spurring a dark future of genocide, oppression, and discrimination for Indigenous people on their own lands. 

Another important aspect of Native American Heritage Month is in recognizing the immeasurable contributions Indigenous communities have made to the Nation. One area of resounding impact is in environmental justice and sustainability efforts, including fierce protection of critical nature reserves and refuges, clean water movements, wildlife and biodiversity protection, and countless other modes of support for critical actions to protect nature and fight climate change. Connection to nature and land is deeply engrained in Indigenous cultures and informs the importance of campaigns focused on returning land to the people who were connected with it long before any colonizers arrived. 

The Landback Movement represents a necessary push to return Indigenous lands to Indigenous communities. Centuries of colonialism and harmful government intervention has led to the removal of Indigenous people from any decision-making or governance of their land and even from the land itself, opening the door for deregulations and other lasting detrimental choices by powerful Westerners on land that they never had a right to reside over in the first place. The Landback Movement yearns for a return to communal Indigenous land structures and the reversal of colonialist-imposed concepts like private land ownership. From cultural celebrations to movements like this one, Native American Heritage Month centers around an important reminder of the beauty and resilience of Indigenous communities – closely connected to this year’s focus on Tribal identity. 

This Native American Heritage Month, honor the Native American and Indigenous communities in as many was as you can. Just a few ways to get involved include listening to and amplifying Indigenous voices and narratives, actively contributing to breaking down the dishonest and harmful narratives perpetuated by Western society at large, supporting causes like the Landback Movement, researching what Indigenous land you reside within and crafting a land acknowledgment, and donating to Native-led nonprofits and organizations.  

Holiday Background & Social Justice:

Background information about the month  

 4 Reasons to Rethink Your November 

Native Land Digital (Mapping Territories + Other Resources) 

A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement 

5 Places to Learn About Indigenous People in Pa 

Native American Heritage - Lenape 

Indigenous Tribes of Washington DC 

Places in the US with Native American Names: By State 

Beyond November, Indigenous Communities Honor Culture and Heritage Year-Round 

The Indigenous Foundation: Resources 

Native American Rights Fund: Voting Rights 

The History of Thanksgiving for a Native American Perspective 

The True Dark History of Thanksgiving 

A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement 

Economy: 

National Congress of American Indians: Economic Development and Commerce 

Native Americans are getting left behind in the remote work economy 

A People’s Orientation to a Regenerative Economy 

Environment:

On Native American Heritage Month, Decolonizing Environmentalism 

Indigenous Environmental Network 

In Person Events:

Walk for Justice (DC) 

In person children's event (DC)  

Virtual Events:

Virtual Teen Comics Chat – Native American Comics 

Webinar, Nov 1  

Guide to Indigenous mapping  

The Colonial Urge to Commodify the Climate Crisis: Uplifting Real Solutions 

Books:

There There by Tommy Orange  

Firekeeper's Daughter By Angeline Boulley    

Notable Native People by Adrienne Keene 

Returning Home: Diné Creative Works from the Intermountain Indian School 
 

Spirit Matters: White Clay, Red Exits, Distant Others By Gordon Henry 

Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science by Jessica Herdnandez 

We Are the Middle of Forever: Indigenous Voices from Turtle Island on the Changing Earth by Dahr Jamail and Stan Rushworth 

A number of IRA incentives are geared towards helping people with modest incomes to make sure that everyone benefits from going green.

If you were thinking of updating your home—from A/C to hot water heater to stove—now is the time to take advantage of tax credits that will save you money as you help to save the planet.

Over a year after the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in August 2022, the United States government has reported strong results, creating over 170,000 jobs by its first birthday and seeing over $110 billion dollars invested in clean energy manufacturing. Improvements like these show positive signs for the future, as well as significant savings in costs with the tax credits created by this law. However, while it’s relatively clear to see the benefits provided to businesses involved in IRA provisions, the IRA can also be a boon to folks looking to green their lives.

Your Home Incentives Start with an Audit

The government recommends beginning with a professional home energy audit to ensure that energy-efficient upgrades are not sabotaged by external factors in your home—a process that, if eligible, will earn you a 30% tax credit up to $150 once you submit IRS Form 5695 alongside your taxes. The Residential Energy Services Network is one directory of certified professional energy auditors in your area and is backed by the Office of Renewable Energy. Once it’s time to start the process of greening your home, there are many steps that can be taken that are eligible for tax credits provided by the IRA.

Electrical Equipment

Investing in electrical panel or circuit upgrades—or new electrical equipment—can earn you a tax credit of 30% of the consumer cost up to $600.

Installing a fuel cell can earn you a tax credit of 30% of the consumer cost, maxing out at $500 per half kilowatt (kW) of power capacity.

Temperature Control

Installing energy-efficient air conditioning systems can earn you a tax credit of 30% of the cost up to $600.

Installing an energy-efficient air-source or geothermal heat pump can earn you a tax credit of 30% of the cost up to $2000/year. (Learn more about heat pumps at https://www.greenamerica.org/your-green-life/invest-energy-efficient-home.)

Upgrading your insulation and air sealing can earn you a tax credit of 30% of the cost up to $1,200.

Water Systems

Installing energy-efficient hot-water boilers can earn you a tax credit of 30% of the cost up to $600/year.

Installing energy-efficient heat-pump water heaters can earn you a tax credit of 30% of the cost up to $2,000/year.

Installing solar water heaters can earn you a tax credit of 30% of the cost.*

Other Eligible Upgrades

Upgrading to energy-efficient windows can earn you a tax credit of 30% of the consumer cost up to $600.

Installing energy efficient skylights can earn you a tax credit of 30% of the consumer cost up to $600.

Installing rooftop solar panels can earn you a tax credit of 30% of the consumer cost.*

Federal Assistance Programs

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) can aid in reducing energy costs and implementing energy-efficient improvements for low-income households.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can assist qualifying low-income households with their home heating and cooling bills.

Take advantage of these opportunities to green your home while taking some pressure off your wallet.

*Government websites are not listing maximum limits for rebates on these upgrades at time of writing.

Transportation Incentives

IRA-provided tax credits extend even beyond the home. If you are considering purchasing a clean vehicle, you may be eligible for a tax credit for your purchase. Learn more about clean vehicles and deciding if they could be right for you on p. 37 and 38.

There are many specific requirements for eligibility for tax credits on clean vehicle purchases. The four main requirements for qualifying are a battery capacity of at least 7 kilowatt hours, a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 14,000 pounds, a final assembly completed in North America, and to be made by a qualified manufacturer.

The vehicle must be purchased for personal use, primarily in the U.S. There are modified adjusted gross income caps—$300,000 for married couples filing jointly, $225,000 for heads of households, and $150,000 for all other filers.

For more information on eligibility requirements and available vehicles, visit https://www.fueleconomy.gov/.

Purchasing a Vehicle Now

Purchasing a new electric or fuel-cell vehicle can earn a tax credit of up to $7,500.

Purchasing a used electric or fuel-cell vehicle can earn a tax credit of up to $4,000.

Vehicles Purchased Before 2023

Even vehicles bought between 2010-2022 may be eligible for these tax credits. All-electric and plug-in hybrids bought new can earn a tax credit of up to $7,500—but this varies depending on battery capacity.

If you ask multiple financial advisors for generalized advice on money matters, they’ll likely tell you that every person’s finances are different and ever-changing based on goals and plans. If they’re advisors who specialize in socially responsible investing (SRI), they’ll also agree that no matter how much money you have, you can use your money to support sustainable business practices and local economies.

That said, Green America pinned a few of them down on general financial and SRI advice for every decade of our lives, based on where the average person is at each stage. Use it as a rough guide to maximizing the power of your investments as you go through life.

In Your 20s

People in their 20s tend to have:

• Varying amounts of debt, including student loans.
• An entry-level salary in their field.
• Fewer expenses (may not have kids, etc).
• Beginner-level knowledge and comfort level with investments.

Start saving early: People in their 20s may feel that the need to save for retirement is less urgent, since it’s 40-plus years away. However, Steve Dixon, principal and investment manager at Birchwood Financial Partners  says it’s critical for young people to start saving.

“My parents, the Baby Boom generation, didn’t need to figure this stuff out like younger generations will need to. Pensions were more prevalent and Social Security was viewed as more secure,” Dixon says. “Nowadays, few can count on a pension and changes to Social Security seem inevitable. It’s much more critical that young people save for retirement. The nice part is that there are lots of ways to do it.”

Save as much as you can: Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts senator and bankruptcy expert, coined the “50/30/20” rule of budgeting, which suggests you should keep your necessary costs to 50% of your after-tax income, spend up to 30% on “wants,” and sock 20% into savings. When you’re just starting out in the working world, 50/30/20 might be more of a goal than a reality, but make a point to save as much as you can until you can reach 20%.

Make saving routine: Steve Dixon says your financial plan in your 20s should emphasize making saving for retirement part of your routine.

“It’s like exercising or eating right; if you build it into a routine, it’s so much easier than if you put it off,” he says. “Don’t wait until you have money to put away, because invariably, we never feel like we have enough money to put away.”

Young women need to save even more. Not only do women make less money than men over a lifetime, but they live five to six years longer—meaning they will need more savings for their retirement.

Get involved in your workplace retirement account: The easiest place to start saving is at work: If your employer offers a retirement savings account and will match a portion of your savings, take advantage of that—it’s free money! Make sure to save at least the amount that earns you the maximum employer match. If your employer does not offer a retirement account, you can open your own IRA or Roth IRA instead.

Invest intentionally: Julie Gorte, senior vice president for sustainable investing at Impax Asset Management, advises investors to align their investments with their values, such as support for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights. “When it comes to investors with an interest in gender lens investing, we tend to see them want to invest in companies with greater diversity in leadership or ownership and in companies creating products or services that positively impact women and girls,” she says.

Considering SRI

Break up with your megabank: The easiest thing to do to use your money for good is to switch banks. Break up with your megabank, if you belong to one, and choose a community investing bank or credit union. The federal government provides certification for community development financial institutions. Check out Green America’s Get a Better Bank database to find a community development bank or credit union near you.

Community investing banks and credit unions are known for treating customers better and generally charging lower fees than megabanks. Most allow the same convenience of online banking that a megabank would have.

Where does the socially responsible part come in? Community investing banks and credit unions have a mission to use their money to lift up low- and middle-income communities. For example, Wells Fargo lends its money to fossil-fuel projects, while many community investing banks make a point of avoiding fossil fuels, instead lending money to foster local businesses, support people trying to buy homes, and more. Community investing banks and credit unions are federally insured, which means they’re just as safe as a megabank or your local bank.

Get SRI into your workplace retirement account: Ask your employer if socially responsible funds are included in your workplace retirement account. If they aren’t, ask your employer to consider adding them.

In Your 30s

People in their 30s tend to have:

• Less debt.
• A higher salary than in their 20s.
• Growing expenses, from buying a home, growing a family, etc.
• Some retirement savings.

Set aside an emergency fund: The investment advice site Betterment.com recommends making sure you have an emergency fund by your early 30s. Most experts recommend setting aside at least six months’ worth of your salary in a savings account, in case of illness or job loss, for example.

Don’t cash out retirement accounts: People with even a small amount of retirement savings shouldn’t cash it out early, an article from Money Magazine warns. When you cash out a 401(k), the government takes out extra taxes, so a $5,000 balance could turn into $3,500 cash. If you leave your retirement accounts alone, you keep the money growing.

Reconsider your savings: As you age, make a point to divert as much as you can into retirement and other savings. Increase your contribution to your workplace retirement account, which you can have your employer automatically pull from your paycheck. And have your bank or credit union automatically divert money from your checking account into savings every paycheck, as well.

Consider mutual funds: If you didn’t in your 20s, start investing some of your savings in a mix of mutual funds across asset classes in your 30s. At a younger age, you can be more tolerant to risk since you have time to absorb any losses, but by your 30s you’ll need to start earning the returns needed to retire later in life. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the risk, the more potential for greater returns.

Considering SRI

SRI mutual funds: Generally, socially responsible mutual funds do as well or outperform the general market, making them a great option for green-minded people in their 30s who want to get started investing outside of a retirement account.

Look for socially responsible mutual funds, which offer automatic diversification, can help minimize risk, and most types are actively managed.

A socially responsible financial advisor: Your life is likely to go through some big changes in your 30s. You may get married and/or start a family, and you may buy your first home. Consequently, your finances will go through some big changes as well. A financial advisor can help you navigate these changes. Look for a socially responsible financial advisor, who can offer general financial advice and help you invest your money in line with your values.

Community investing: Your 30s may be a good time to maximize the social aspect of your portfolio and move some of your money into community investments that go beyond banking. These investments help finance community-building projects in the US or elsewhere in the world. They may help people build houses, install renewable energy, start small businesses, or otherwise help lift up local communities.

Calvert Impact {GBN}, for example, offers Community Investment Notes, which put your money into a pool of community development projects across the US and around the world—from loans for women-owned small businesses in Tanzania powered by solar to loans for affordable housing in Baltimore.

“Community investing is an important part of every portfolio and can play a key role in diversification,” says Cathy Cowan Becker, Green America’s responsible finance campaign director.

In Your 40s

People in their 40s tend to have:

• The highest wages of their careers.
• Long-term loans from big purchases.
• Established retirement savings.
• A need to continue saving for big purchases/ children’s needs, like college.

Max out your retirement savings: Advisors at Bankrate.com recommend making the maximum annual contribution possible to your retirement savings in your 40s, if you aren’t already.

For example, for the 2023 tax year, the maximum annual contribution to a 401(k) was $22,500.

Consider individual stock investments: If you haven’t already decided to invest in individual stock, your 40s could be a good time to do so. Buying individual stock has more risk than investing in mutual funds, but the rewards can be greater if the company does well.

Considering SRI

Screen your stock investments: Research companies before buying stock in them to ensure they’re socially and environmentally responsible. Purge any companies from your portfolio that you find are poor corporate citizens. A socially responsible financial advisor can screen your holdings for you.

“It is critical we start to be more intentional with our investing – because all investing makes an impact,” says Julie Gorte of Impax. “We see many women and the next generation already doing this. They recognize the need to be intentional with their investments and where their capital is going and who they are investing it with.”

Become an active shareholder: If you hold stock, you’ll receive a shareholder proxy ballot every spring. Vote your proxy ballot in favor of social and environmental shareholder resolutions. Mutual fund managers receive and vote the proxy ballots for their stock holdings, and they must disclose those votes on the fund website. If you disagree with how one of your mutual funds voted on a particular ballot, call the investor relations department and let them know.

In Your 50s

People in their 50s tend to have:

• Peak savings and investments.
• A short “time horizon” until retirement.
• A continued need to help children with college, plus assist aging parents with health and other issues.

Consider lessening your investment risk: As you start to think about retirement in the next decade or so, it may be time to shift your investments to be more conservative. Bill Holliday of AIO Financial uses the term “time horizon” to talk about how much time people can keep their money in an investment before they need it back.

“We don’t want to be forced to sell out of a volatile market when markets are down. If you have a short time horizon or don’t tolerate much risk, you want to have a good amount in fixed, stable investments,” Holliday says.

Consider your personal time horizon until retirement and check with a financial advisor to see if lessening investment risk is right for your portfolio.

Consider increasing your retirement contributions: In 2023, the 401(k) contribution limit for employees went up to $30,000 per year for people over 50. If you weren’t able to invest as much when you were younger, now is a good time to catch up.

Considering SRI

Find lower-risk socially responsible investments: Just because your investments may be getting less risky doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your values. No matter what your risk tolerance and time horizon, you or a financial planner will still be able to find socially responsible alternatives that fit with your needs.
Government bonds and certificates of deposit (CDs), for example, offer fixed returns and less risk for investors. Money market funds, or pools of CDs, bonds, and certain other investments offer automatic diversification and reduced risk.

SRI At Retirement (65+)

At 65, you might be setting the date for your retirement, or be retired, and you’re starting to withdraw from your savings and investment accounts. (Be sure to read up on the requirements for starting such withdrawals, to avoid fines or penalties.)

Considering SRI

Although you may want to reduce your investment in stocks, consider that you may well live 20 to 30 more years and you’ll need to continue increasing your assets to meet your needs. Socially responsible funds are a good option as they tend to be less volatile and reduce risk.

Steve Dixon suggests reconsidering community investment notes, which generally have a lower level of risk, when you retire.

“If I know I’m going to need that money within 18 to 24 months, if I’m being prudent, I shouldn’t be taking a lot of risk,” he says. “I want it in something secure.”

Community investments can deliver social impact while simultaneously being available for the near term. Many community investments allow you to choose an investment term of anywhere from one to 15 years.

Green America and the certified Green Business Network members mentioned in this article, which meet or exceed Green America’s standards for social and environmental responsibility, are here to help. 

Updated 2023.

If you own shares of stock in any publicly traded company, you have a voice in how that company is run.
Each year, hundreds of shareholder resolutions are filed on a wide range of environmental, social, and governance issues at companies across all sectors of our economy. Examples include asking companies to set goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, report on gender and racial pay disparities, disclose political influence spending, and more.

Any shareholder can vote on a company’s shareholder resolutions—but the process can be cumbersome and confusing, especially if you own shares in a lot of different companies.

Now there’s an app for that.

As You Vote launches

As You Sow, the nation’s leading nonprofit shareholder advocacy organization, has introduced As You Vote, a program to help individual and institutional investors vote on shareholder resolutions for companies in which they own stock. Individual shareholders can cast proxy ballots through an app platform called iconik.

“Every individual shareholder can now express their voice in shareholder democracy and vote for justice and sustainability on every item of every ballot,” says As You Sow’s CEO Andrew Behar. “Most individual shareholders stay on the sidelines and don’t vote because they are overwhelmed by complicated ballots. …Now anyone can take the field and impact corporate proposals on climate change, racial justice, political spending, and other critical issues.”

Shareholder ballots—called proxy ballots because they are voted remotely by proxy rather than in person at the company’s annual meeting—are emailed or postal mailed to shareholders. Anyone who owns stock in multiple companies can quickly be overwhelmed with proxy voting messages. Proxy ballots can be confusing, and it can take time to research the details of every resolution.

As You Vote streamlines the process by setting up proxy votes in the app on a wide range of shareholder resolutions according to guidelines developed by As You Sow and Proxy Impact, a proxy voting consulting service that promotes responsible business practices. The app is informed by scorecards and ratings on topics such as racial justice, workplace equity, clean corporations, and overpaid CEOs.

When you sign up for As You Vote, it links to your email to send a copy of your shareholder ballots to the app. You retain full voting control and can change recommended votes if you like, or you can vote the slate set up in the app. You can also upgrade to the paid version of the app ($5 per month) to set up your own customized voting profile.

Individual investors can have a big impact

Individual investors hold 25% of all public equities, more than the total ownership of BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street (three of the biggest institutional investing firms) combined. But until now, it was easier for large asset managers to vote large numbers of proxies, giving their priorities an advantage over individual shareholders in shareholder resolution votes.

As You Vote helps correct this imbalance by boosting the votes of a larger, more democratic, and more diverse group of shareholders for social justice and a stable climate–individual shareholders with values like yours.

“This new technology is fully democratizing the public markets, and there’s no going back,” says Behar. “A new generation of investors is demanding to be heard and we are handing them the megaphone.”

As You Vote also allows institutional investors such as asset managers, endowments, and foundations to vote their values on proxy ballots through the Broadridge ProxyEdge platform.

Visit the ikonik app for more information on As You Vote individual investor platform. Third Act, a responsible finance group, also has a different version of this app.

Download the app today to be ready for the 2024 proxy season!