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There are many reasons to garden—getting actively involved in the natural world around you, practicing a hobby that results in delicious snacks, and perhaps even helping the planet. That’s why Green America’s Climate Victory Gardens program is so important. It’s focused on climate-forward gardens which prioritize healthy soil and reducing carbon emissions, and anyone can register their own Climate Victory Garden, however big or small. 

Maybe you’ve never gardened before, or you’re a longtime gardener curious about different ways you can incorporate climate solutions into your gardening. 

Anyone can garden at any time; all you have to do is start. These Green Business Network members are here to help, no matter where you are in your gardening journey. 

What Do Climate Victory Gardens Grow? 

Anything—herbs, vegetables, fruit, a whole lemon tree! In keeping with the tradition of the first climate victory gardens, established during the gardening movements of the World Wars when 20 million gardeners produced 40% of the fresh fruits and vegetables consumed in the country, nutritious and delicious crops are the favorites of these gardens.  

Regardless of what you choose to plant, whether purple dragon carrots or rose potpourri corn, it all begins with a seed.

When looking for seeds, look no further than Turtle Tree Seed {GBN}, where open pollinated seeds are harvested using biodynamic practices in accordance with Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Course of 1924. 

What does open pollinated mean? These types of seeds are collected from the parent plant following self-pollination or natural pollination via birds or insects. Open pollinated seeds grow true-to-type based on the parent plant and decrease the chance of introducing any genetically engineered seeds into your garden. 

So when someone buys from Turtle Tree Seed, they can “save the seed from the plants they grow in their gardens,” according to Ian Robb, co-general manager. 

“Over time the plants will adapt to the soil and climate of where you live,” he continues. “This is very important when you consider the ever-changing environmental situation that humanity is facing.” 

You can also check out Hidden Springs Nursery {GBN} for plants and seeds grown without the use of chemical fertilizers or poisonous sprays. 

Water, What All Crops Need to Thrive 

There are many moving parts and elements to consider when cultivating healthy climate victory gardens, from healthy soil practices to a lack of toxic chemicals and fertilizers. 

But never discount the importance of the two basic necessities for plant growing: water and sunlight. 

“Installing a rain barrel near your garden can be a great supplemental water supply for your edibles,” says Lynn Ruck, co-founder of Rain Water Solutions {GBN}. 

Rain is a great, and natural, source of water for your garden, but how to best harness it? 

“Many gardeners are happy to use watering cans to move rainwater from A to B,” Ruck says, “But if you have the ability to install the rain barrel higher than your garden you can easily water your edibles at the roots with a hose and you can consider adding a soaker hose by weaving it through the plants for a slow drip.” 

A soaker hose is a hose like any other with one key difference: tiny pores throughout its length that allow water to slowly escape. This allows for an efficient flow of rainwater directly to the base of your plants and is an especially great system for when you must be away from your garden for any length of time. 

As Ruck recalls: “I discovered this trick after spending the early spring months nurturing and watering my plants for a high yield bounty and came back after taking a vacation during the hot summer to return to scorched, sad plants that could never recover. Now I set up my soaker to keep a steady drip on my thirsty veggies.” 

Drip irrigation is a micro-irrigation system that has been used since ancient times, with records dating back to first century BCE China. 

Rainwater is also healthy for your plants, as it contains less minerals and chemicals and is fortified with rich nitrogen. 

Rid Climate Victory Gardens of Pesky Weeds 

You’ve planted and you’re supplying your crops with a steady stream of nutrients and water. Next, make sure you’re maintaining the health of your garden. 

One important step in garden maintenance is weeding. Weeds are invasive plants that compete with your carefully curated crops to steal space, nutrients, moisture, and light. Ridding your garden of these plants should not be put off. 

While there are several ways to weed, like digging up a weed’s roots with a garden knife by hand, but have you ever considered heat? 

“Flame weeding is what we like to call a ‘slow kill,’” describes Mel Limon, executive director of sales at Flame Engineering {GBN}. “Essentially, you are destroying cell structure in the plant leaf. The weed will no longer put energy toward growth (photosynthesis) taking the kill through the root system.”  

Yes, flame weeding also kills the roots. 

Even better, as Limon notes, it’s non-toxic: “Your Victory Garden will be organic since you aren’t using chemicals to kill the weeds.” 

Now, you’re supplied with three new techniques and supplies to make your Climate Victory Gardens the best gardens they can be. Go forth with confidence and excitement for your garden, beginning with the 5 steps to start your garden, the practices that make a garden a Climate Victory Garden, and then add your garden to the map.

Move preserves freedom of retirement plans to account for material risks and returns 

WASHINGTON – Today President Biden vetoed a resolution that would have repealed a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rule allowing retirement plans to consider environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) criteria and allowing retirement plan fiduciaries to vote on ESG-related shareholder resolutions. 

By passing a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) on March 1, House and Senate Republicans, joined by a few Democrats, sought to nullify the DOL’s Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights rule allowing responsible investing.  

In limiting the scope of what pension fund managers can take into account, the Congressional resolution would have tied investors’ hands -- and put pension funds at risk. The president’s veto maintains the ability of investors to consider any and all material risks and opportunities.  

In response, Green America, which represents 250,000 individual consumers and investors and nearly 2,000 businesses and investment firms, applauds President Biden for vetoing the resolution. 

“Decades of investment experience prove that taking environmental, social, and corporate governance criteria into account provides competitive returns by giving investors a greater understanding of risk and opportunity. In particular, the ability to consider climate impacts is a top concern for our members and supporters,” said Cathy Cowan Becker, Responsible Finance Campaign Director at Green America. “We thank President Biden for vetoing the Republican resolution that would have limited our freedom to invest, and for ensuring we can continue common-sense financial management.” 

BACKGROUND 

In preparing the rule, the DOL heard from thousands of stakeholders, including asset managers, labor organizations, corporate America, consumer groups, service providers, workers, investment advisers, and almost 7,000 members of Green America who signed our petition in support. 

The rule allows, but does not compel, investors to consider ESG criteria in their decisions and shareholder votes, and confirms that fiduciaries may not sacrifice investment returns to promote social policy goals. The new rule restores the government’s neutral stance, requiring fiduciaries to use their best professional judgment to make investment decisions. 

The freedom to consider the real-world risks of the climate crisis not only protects investments from loss, but also opens up opportunities for substantial growth. The ability to invest in the clean energy boom is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and President Biden’s veto will help keep avenues clear for pensions, retirement funds, and state revenues to benefit. 

ABOUT GREEN AMERICA

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

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

WASHINGTON, DC – March 15, 2023 – As spring approaches, Green America’s Climate Victory Gardens campaign has grown to 20,024 registered gardens, up from 14,632 in 2022. The push to plant and map climate-friendly gardens using regenerative agriculture techniques across the country is now achieving the annual equivalent of 4,740 tons of carbon drawdown.

In addition to updated Climate Victory Garden resources for beginners and seasoned gardeners, Green America will also hold two webinars about transforming lawns to be more eco-friendly. Today, over 80% of Americans have grass lawns – covering about 40 million acres of land in the continental U.S. – and use 9 billion gallons of water every day to keep the grass green, according to the EPA.

Emma Kriss, food campaigns manager at Green America, said: “Not only do Climate Victory Gardens heal the planet by drawing down atmospheric carbon dioxide, but the food they provide is more nutritious than conventional store-bought produce. Whether upgrading an existing garden or converting a water-guzzling, pesticide-covered lawn, we’re excited to provide information and resources to help Americans grow their own Climate Victory Gardens this spring.”

Green America’s Climate Victory Garden resources cover additional popular topics such as:

• Organic fertilizers and pesticides
• Raising chickens
• Container gardening and growing food indoors
• Composting
• Supporting pollinators
• Building a rain barrel
• Seed saving

Todd Larsen, executive co-director for consumer & corporate engagement at Green America, said: “At a time when carbon sequestration is becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry, and venture capital companies search for the perfect solution to suck pollution out of the atmosphere, the little old backyard garden is proving how simple it can be to take action. Regenerative agriculture is a powerful tool, and we’re thrilled to see more and more adoption on both large and small scales.”

Climate Victory Gardens help fight climate change through regenerative agriculture techniques, an approach to gardening that focuses on improving and revitalizing soil health by fostering healthy soil that can draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Inspired by the “Victory Gardens” campaigns during WWI and WWII that produced 40% of the fresh produce consumed in the U.S. at the time, Climate Victory Gardens empower Americans to grow gardens with regenerative agriculture techniques to help address the climate crisis.

On March 23, Green America will host its first webinar to help people ditch their lawns in favor of gardens, Transforming Lawns: Groundcover Revolution, featuring Kathy Jentz, author of Groundcover Revolution. On April 27, Green America’s second webinar, Transforming Lawns: Tiny + Wild, will feature Graham Laird Gardner, author of Tiny and Wild: Build a small-scale meadow anywhere.

Climate Victory Gardens are being tracked through Green America’s updated, searchable map. To add your own Climate Victory Garden to the map, visit: https://greenam.org/garden.

ABOUT GREEN AMERICA

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

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

When you read the name of the organization Project Sweetie Pie (PSP), its founder, Michael Chaney, wants to evoke the feeling of an elder lovingly calling you “sweetie pie,” who wishes for and sees the best in you.  

Chaney sees the best in you, too. He wants the best for you. That’s why, in 2010, he started the food justice organization in Minneapolis, viewing the act of nourishing our bodies with not only healthy foods, but education and justice, as crucial to our collective survival and wellbeing. 

PSP works on several levels, from spearheading the distribution of fresh produce to the communities of the Northside neighborhood to mentoring and empowering students of North Community High School by teaching entrepreneurial and agricultural skills. It is also a partner of Green America’s Climate Victory Gardens program (ClimateVictoryGardens.org). 

“I’m an activist, first and foremost,” Chaney says. “I’m simply using agriculture as one of the tools of my trade to curate a greener, prosperous future.” 

The Minneapolis Community Today 

Chaney understands all eyes are on Minnesota. “After the murder of George Floyd, how do we come back from that?” he asks. 

Minneapolis is a city of vibrant communities, resilience, and, like everywhere in the United States, also has injustice and contradictions. All around him, Chaney saw people struggling to live bountiful lives in what was supposed to be a country where anyone could be or do anything. 

Black residents make up 18.4% of Minneapolis’ population, but account for a quarter of all food-insecure households in the city. Latino and Indigenous households experiencing food insecurity are also overrepresented. 

“Low-income communities are placeholders, commodities seen as disposable when wealthy developers are ready to gentrify a neighborhood,” Chaney says, not mincing words. Tossing these communities aside is what leads to things like food scarcity, he explains. Living on the underserved margins, residents lose access to education, tools, and resources. 

Using PSP as the base of operations, Chaney wants to disrupt this pattern and re-invest in people. He grew up in Wisconsin on a 160-acre family farm in the 1950s. He recalls his peers being able to pursue trades like mechanics, carpentry, and home economics. When funding is cut to trade schools and programs, people are left “hung out to dry,” Chaney laments. 

Chaney moved to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota, where his activism in the state began. In 1984, he co-founded the Minneapolis Juneteenth Celebration, and a decade later, he co-founded the Wendell Phillips Community Development Federal Credit Union. This credit union was created to fill the need for a financial institution controlled by members and serves primarily communities of color; in 2001, it merged to become the City-County Federal Credit Union. 

“By marginalizing people, by dismissing people, by not allowing people to become their best selves, by not investing in communities, we really are unraveling the American dream,” Chaney says. 

Giving Resources to Those Who Need Them—The American People 

“Community isn’t just happenstance,” Chaney insists. “It’s a lifestyle where we as individuals must help support the collective.” 

That’s why the work of PSP touches on many aspects but is centered around one idea: restoring the commons. 

One of Chaney’s proudest achievements in his efforts to better community was helping advocate for and pass Minnesota’s first urban farming legislation. Authored by Rep. Karen Clark (D), the 2015 bill distributed $6 million in funding for urban agriculture, including PSP, specifically in low-income communities made up of predominantly Black and Indigenous people. 

“One of the things we found out during the pandemic, is that resources weren't as rigid as we thought,” Chaney explains. “There were funds and resources available to help remedy hunger, unemployment, medical aid. Until these artificial regulations imposed on us by the rich and the powerful [end], we're not ending poverty, we’re perpetuating it. Poverty is slavery, and if we really want to have an abundant society, we must invest in the residents of our communities.” 

Food Equity Is the Next Stage of Civil Rights 

Growing one’s own food generates a plethora of benefits, from nutrition to combatting climate change, and taking back agency over what you consume and the land you live on. 

“The local food movement is the latest iteration of the Civil Rights movement,” Chaney says. “It’s addressing equity--you’ll know what equity looks like when you see [local and culturally relevant] food sitting not just in specialty stores, but also in big box stores, that is truly reflective of the cultural diversity in our community. We’re democratizing agriculture.” 

Chaney doesn’t care what people decide to grow, just that they grow.  

“This is a long climb, and we must tell our story,” he says. “We must fight for our self-sufficiency and our future. Health, wellbeing, and justice is what we’re growing as much as a tomato on a vine.” 

The Minneapolis Community of Tomorrow 

One of the most astonishing things about PSP is its focus on longevity. Several of its programs were created to invest in a future Minneapolis, one that Chaney hopes will long outlast him. 

Step Up pairs Minneapolis youth with Twin Cities employers through internships and training to help them build careers and lead to a diverse and skilled workforce. Since 2003, Step Up has implemented nearly 30,000 high-quality internship opportunities. 

Another program, Northside Safety-N.E.T. (Neighborhoods Empowering Teens), uses resources to train young people on civic engagement through environmental and community lenses. 

“I dare say that we are building a legacy,” he says hopefully. “We are harnessing the food of our ancestors and now it’s our turn as stewards to feed and care for families in the future.” 

This story was written by Anya Crittenton and originally appeared in the Green American Magazine, Spring 2023 edition.

These days it seems like every brand is making bold claims about using eco-friendly materials and sustainable practices. A quick shopping trip can quickly turn perplexing—which of the assertions are the real deal? We spoke with experts, including an environmental scientist and an environmental lawyer and policy expert, to help if you’re selecting worth-it, eco-friendly products. 

The recent Norfolk Southern train derailment disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, illustrates why socially responsible investing is so important.  

Norfolk Southern, owned by a who's who of Wall Street banks, ranks poorly on corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) guidelines that socially responsible investing promotes: 

• They killed almost 44,000 fish, amphibians, and reptiles by burning over 1 million pounds of toxic chemicals following the derailment. 
• They laid off a third of their workforce while multiplying stock buybacks to boost profits. 
• They have long fought rail safety regulations such as labeling flammable chemicals hazardous and upgrading train brakes. 

Does this sound like a company you’d like to invest your retirement funds in? Me neither. 

ESG helps us put our money behind our values 

Socially responsible investing helps us align our money with our values by applying rigorous financial analysis of companies, including an overlay of ESG criteria such as climate risk (environmental), labor issues (social), and political lobbying (governance).  

ESG commitments are booming. In 2022, socially responsible investing reached $8.4 trillion in the United States and is expected to top $50 trillion globally by 2025.  

Unfortunately, socially responsible investing has also become the target of intense attacks – with bills on the federal and state levels and lawsuits in federal courts attempting to limit or ban investors from taking ESG considerations into account.  

These attacks are being propagated by a large network of right-wing front groups funded by enormous amounts of money from undisclosed sources. But also emerging from this pitched battle is backlash to anti-ESG attacks and even some pro-ESG initiatives.  

We will explore these dynamics in future blog posts. For now, let’s look at last week’s vote in Congress on a resolution to repeal the Department of Labor’s rule allowing investors to consider ESG factors in their investment decisions. 

A neutral rule 

Last week Congress passed a joint resolution expressing disapproval of the Department of Labor’s rule Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights, which came into effect on January 30. The resolution used the Congressional Review Act, which gives Congress 60 days after an administrative rule goes into effect to repeal it.  

The DOL rule allowed – but did not compel – retirement plan fiduciaries to take environmental, social, and corporate governance considerations into account in their investment decisions. It reversed two rules issued by the Trump administration that required retirement plans to invest solely based on “pecuniary factors” and made it difficult to vote on ESG-related shareholder resolutions.  

In preparing its rule, the Department of Labor heard from thousands of stakeholders including almost 7,000 members of Green America who signed our petition in support. 

In preparing its rule, the DOL heard from thousands of stakeholders, including asset managers, labor organizations, corporate America, consumer groups, service providers, workers, investment advisers, and almost 7,000 members of Green America who signed our petition in support. 

An analysis by Harvard Law School found the DOL rule to be neutral because it allows – but does not compel – investors to use ESG considerations on top of basic financial analysis to help gauge risk and return. The rule levels the playing field for all financially relevant factors, Assistant Labor Secretary Lisa Gomez said at a recent discussion hosted by Ceres and the Environmental Defense Fund.  

Biden vows to uphold sustainable investing in retirement plans 

None of this was enough to sway Congress. On February 28 the House voted 216-204 in favor of the disapproval resolution, and on March 1 the Senate voted 50-46 in favor. All Republican members of Congress voted for the resolution. Three Democrats voted for it: Rep. Jared Golden of Maine in the House and Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia (a co-sponsor) and Jon Tester of Montana in the Senate. 

Republican Reps. Andy Barr of Kentucky and Mike Braun of Indiana tried to link ESG investing to inflation, blaming the lack of fossil fuel shares in socially responsible portfolios despite the fact that energy prices have experienced some of the worst inflation rates. Others such as Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina accused the Biden administration of using retirement plans to push a “woke agenda.” 

In response, Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York (right) pointed out that asset managers have long used ESG to minimize risk and maximize return, and that 90% of S&P 500 companies publish ESG reports. “I say let the market work. If that naturally leads to consideration of ESG factors, then Republicans should practice what they’ve long preached and get out of the way,” Schumer said.  

President Biden has vowed to veto the resolution to repeal the rule allowing sustainable investing.  

Why is this happening now? 

This attack on socially responsible investing in Congress did not happen spontaneously; rather, it has long been planned. Rebecca Leber of Vox explained three triggering events: 

• BlackRock chair and CEO Larry Fink’s 2020 statement that “Climate risk is investment risk” and 2021 announcement of BlackRock’s net zero commitment. BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager with $10 trillion in assets under management. 
• The Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed rule requiring publicly traded companies to disclose how their operations contribute to carbon emissions. Green America generated 15,000 signers on a statement in general support of the rule while calling for additional provisions to protect Indigenous Peoples and to further protect the climate.  
• Hedge fund Engine No. 1’s coup at Exxon’s 2021 shareholder meeting electing three new board members focused on the risks climate change poses to the company. 

By late 2022, Republicans were planning a surge of attacks against ESG investing, with four main tactics beyond the anti-ESG vote in Congress last week.  

• Hauling leaders of financial institutions that use ESG in investments before Congress on claims they are violating antitrust laws and fiduciary duty. 
• Pulling state funds from BlackRock and other investment firms that practice ESG (more on this in a future blog post).  
• Pushing a model bill through red state legislatures that would divest public pension funds from companies on a boycott list (this is not going well – more in a future blog post). 
• Creating a so-called boycott list so states can seek contracts only with companies that do not consider climate change in their operations and investments (this is also not going well).  

‘Redwashing’  

Together these tactics can be considered “redwashing,” argues Freya Williams of Climate and Capital. Whatever they are called, they are not based on sound science or business practice. They are political.  

For example, Republicans are using the Congressional Review Act to challenge not just ESG investing but a multitude of Biden administration rules, including on Waters of the United States and solar tariffs.  

Anti-ESG attacks have been dubbed ‘redwashing.’ Whatever they are called, they are not based on sound science or business practice. They are political. 

They see these votes as messaging tools. “It’s not going to drive much policy, because the president will veto anything he doesn’t like,” Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) admitted. “It’s largely politics.” 

One final anti-ESG tactic is court challenges. Currently we are watching two lawsuits: 

• Republican attorneys general from 25 states filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Amarillo, Texas, against the Department of Labor rule allowing ESG investments. Among the plaintiffs were several oil and gas corporations.  
• Four state attorneys general are suing over a separate SEC rule that requires investment funds to disclose more about executive pay and other ESG matters. The lawsuit was filed in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, where most judges were appointed by Republican presidents. 

What you can do for socially responsible investing

Stay tuned for future blog posts on the anti-ESG campaign, including a pitched battle in the states, massive funding from undisclosed donors, public opinion, and cracks in the anti-ESG foundation.  

Meanwhile, the most important thing we can do in the face of political attacks on ESG is to keep supporting socially responsible investing. Check out our guide on how you can add socially and environmentally responsible investment options to your employer’s retirement plan.  

Cathy Cowan Becker is Responsible Finance Campaign Director at Green America. 

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

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

This victory originally appeared in our Spring 2023 Green American Magazine

When it comes to keeping your tater tots cold, Trader Joe’s has long ranked at the bottom of the pack of supermarkets in terms of refrigerant management, which is a major driver of climate change. In 2016, the grocery chain settled a lawsuit with the US Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency because of its significant leaks of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCS), which violated the Clean Air Act, and have thousands of times the global warming potential of CO2 .

But, in January 2023, Trader Joe’s finally announced that all its new stores will use, ironically, CO2 refrigerants, which are much better for the planet than conventional HFC coolants. The announcement comes after over 20,000 Green Americans urged Trader Joe’s to do better, 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.” In the coming months, Green America will be calling on its members to take action to urge Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and other major grocers to end their use of refrigerants that are a significant driver of climate change in all of their stores.

This victory originally appeared in our Spring 2023 Green American Magazine

Amazon, the largest clothing seller in the US, lags in its protecting consumers and workers from the toxic chemicals often found in apparel. It’s making progress, thanks to activism by Green Americans.

For two years, Green America’s Toxic Textiles campaign called on Amazon to address toxic chemicals in all the apparel it sells. Nearly 40,000 Green Americans urged Amazon to act quickly on dangerous chemicals in the tens of thousands of pieces of clothing, footwear, and accessories sold on its website. Green America also engaged activists online through videos and social media.

In response, Amazon announced that its private label brands will comply with AFIRM’s Restricted Substance List (RSL) for apparel, accessories, and footwear products in North America, Europe, and Japan. AFIRM is a membership organization for the apparel and footwear sector that works to address chemical management. The AFIRM RSL ensures that chemicals of concern are below certain thresholds in products sold to consumers.

In theory, that would mean when customers purchase products from Amazon’s private labels including Amazon Essentials, Mae, Goodthreads, 206 Collective, Core 10, or other of its apparel brands, they should be protected from exposure to some of the most toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Advocates and experts, including Green America’s labor campaigns director Jean Tong, are concerned this does not go far enough to protect consumers and workers.

For workers in particular, Green America is pushing Amazon to adopt a Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) to reduce exposures to toxic chemicals in all its supplier factories, not just what is on the clothes at the time of sale. Since the vast majority of apparel sold on Amazon.com is from third-party companies, it needs to ensure all the clothing it is selling protects consumers and workers.

In addition to the MRSL, Amazon should take the meaningful step to join The International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry, which is a “legally binding agreement between more than 180 garment brands/retailers and global trade unions to make textile and garment factories safe.”

“Green America and our allies are calling on Amazon to do the right thing and go further,” says Tong. “When people spend their hard-earned money on Amazon, they shouldn’t have to worry whether they are exposing their family to toxic chemicals. And, no one wants workers harmed in the making these products. It’s time Amazon put consumers and workers’ concerns before profit by adopting the International Accord and a MRSL."

WASHINGTON – Today Congress approved a measure aimed at overturning a recent Department of Labor rule that allows retirement plans to include investment options that consider environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) criteria and allows retirement plan fiduciaries to vote on ESG-related shareholder resolutions. 

By passing a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), House and Senate Republicans, joined by a few Democrats, seek to nullify the DOL’s Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights rule, which went into effect on January 30. The CRA gives Congress 60 days after a rule goes into effect to vote to overturn it.  

In response, Green America, which represents 250,000 individual consumers and investors and nearly 2,000 businesses and investment firms, calls on President Biden to veto the resolution.  

“Decades of investment experience prove that taking environmental, social, and corporate governance criteria into account provides competitive returns by giving investors a greater understanding of risk and opportunity,” said Cathy Cowan Becker, Responsible Finance Campaign Director at Green America. “In particular, the ability to consider climate impacts is a top concern for our members and investors. President Biden must veto this resolution to ensure we can continue common-sense investing.” 

The DOL rule is a reversal of two rules promulgated during the Trump administration that required retirement plan fiduciaries to invest solely on the basis of  “pecuniary factors,” and made it difficult to vote on ESG-related shareholder resolutions. These rules caused widespread confusion and had a chilling effect on integrating ESG factors into investment decisions.  

In preparing its current rule, the DOL heard from thousands of stakeholders, including asset managers, labor organizations, corporate America, consumer groups, service providers, workers, investment advisers, and almost 7,000 members of Green America who signed our petition in support.  

The rule allows, but does not compel, consideration of ESG criteria in investment decisions and shareholder votes, and confirms that fiduciaries may not sacrifice investment returns to promote social policy goals. 

The Congressional resolution overturning the DOL rule takes choice away from investors who increasingly favor ESG options in their portfolios. A recent survey by Penn State’s Center for the Business of Sustainability and communications firm ROKK Solutions found that 63 percent of voters – including 70 percent of Republicans – oppose government restrictions on ESG investments.  

President Biden must protect the interests of U.S. investors by vetoing the Congressional resolution that limits our ability to be fully informed about our own investments.  

ABOUT GREEN AMERICA

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

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

For decades, Green America has promoted better banking options. We’ve educated the public and businesses on problems with conventional mega-banks, from their financing of fossil fuels to a history of racist and abusive financial practices, to lack of support for micro-enterprises. We’ve also educated people on the wide array of better banking options that are available, from community development banks and credit unions, to Minority Depository Institutions, to banks certified by our Green Business Network. This blog introduces another promising banking model known as public banking.

Fran Teplitz, Green America’s executive co-director for business, investing, and policy interviewed Nichoe Lichen, a board member of the Public Banking Institute, on the premise behind public banking, its goals, and how to get involved:

Fran: Thank you for sharing your expertise about public banking with Green America’s Green Business Network. First off, could you please explain how publicly-owned banks are different from “regular” (privately owned) banks?

Nichoe: Privately owned banks are owned by private shareholders. Their mission is to maximize shareholder profits.

Public banks hold public funds and are owned by the residents of a city, state, region, territory, or nation. Their mission is to benefit their community. Profits are either kept to increase lending capacity or are returned to the local government to invest in infrastructure, stabilize budgets, or address crises.

Fran: That’s a big difference from conventional banks. What then does the Public Banking Institute do?

Nichoe: PBI is the national information and support hub for public banking. We support the creation of publicly-owned banks that return control of money and credit to states and communities. We work to make the benefits of public banking common knowledge to the public and legislators.

Your members can watch our short video to learn more.

Fran: That’s great – so PBI is a catalyst for the growth of public banking. The mission of public banking is indeed compelling. Could you elaborate on the community and environmental benefits of public banking?

Nichoe: Sure! A publicly state-owned or community-owned depository bank holds and manages public funds to save money, stimulate the local economy, and benefit local residents, businesses and community banks. In a crisis, public banks step in to provide ready, affordable credit so communities can quickly get back on track. Unlike commercial banks, a public bank’s decision-making is subject to public oversight and must reflect the values and needs of the community it serves.

Public banks can provide much higher access to credit for infrastructure repair, construction, energy retrofitting, and other eco-conscious projects. Sparkasse, the German public bank network, has funded widespread improved energy efficiencies and renewables. West Coast public bank initiatives have prioritized green retrofits.

Fran: Where is public banking happening now in the US and elsewhere, and where is it getting underway?  

Nichoe: Public banks are a solution known around the world, with $49 trillion in assets globally.

In the U.S., there is one state-owned public bank: the Bank of North Dakota (BND). Since its founding in 1919, BND has made $1.4 billion in payments to the state’s general fund. It has become more profitable even than Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase; and during the covid-19 pandemic in 2020, BND enabled small businesses in ND to secure more Payroll Protection Program funds relative to the state’s workforce than in any other state.

Public banks are now underway all across the country. Since 2011, 35 states and dozens of cities have taken legislative action or formed a local advocacy group for public banking.

Fran: It’s great to know public banking is getting a stronger foothold. What progress are you seeing in specific regions?

Nichoe: In 2021, eighteen public banking bills were introduced at local, state, and federal level. In 2022, East Bay, California completed phase one to establish a regional public bank; Los Angeles moved forward with a Municipal Public Bank RFP; and Philadelphia’s City Council passed a resolution to form a Philadelphia Public Finance Authority as a first step. In 2023, five states introduced public bank legislation — Massachusetts, Oregon, New York, Washington, and New Hampshire — and San Francisco submitted a phase one business plan.

Fran: That’s important momentum, what’s driving this progress?

Nichoe: More legislators and advocates are learning of the benefits of public banking and recognizing the urgency of taking action to cut financing costs, return bank profits to benefit the public, regain control over local money, and expand credit for infrastructure and other public projects. 

Fran: How can a business learn more and advance the concept of public banking?

Nichoe: The Public Banking Institute has lots of resources! Here are a few steps that Green Business Network members can take to get involved:

1 - Learn more on publicbankinginstitute.org.

2 - Sign up for our newsletter. 

3 - Attend our monthly Coalition Zoom meetings.

4 - Sign our Declaration.

Fran: Thank you very much! Public banking can play a key role in advancing the green economy and there’s a lot to be gained by supporting this model. If you or your business need to open a better banking account now, check-out Green America-vetted banking options that are taking deposits today as you advocate for better banking systems!

Who are the good, bad, and ugly in chocolate?

Explore the 2024 Chocolate Scorecard

What about the kids, the trees, and the bees?

Sustainability means “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Most chocolate is currently not sustainable, but solutions to child labor, deforestation, and hazardous pesticide are not only possible but vital to the health of people and planet. Consumers can make informed choices and demand tangible change.

Child Labor vs. Living Income

Learn More

Deforestation vs. Agroforestry

Learn More

Pesticides vs. Regenerative Agriculture

Learn More

One thing has become clear: sustainable and green businesses are not a fad, and they are here to stay. Customers are shopping with sustainability in mind more than ever and calling out companies for greenwashing and unethical practices. With the prevalence and importance of prioritizing people and planet, what new trends are shaping up for green businesses in 2023? 

The Report and Green Businesses in 2023 

For the past 16 years, the GreenBiz group has published its State of Green Business report. In each report, editors and analysts research a “broad spectrum of environmental and sustainability topics” to identify top trends businesses should be aware of for the coming year. 

Below are six takeaways from this year’s report, the State of Green Business 2023. 

1. Green vs. Greening Jobs 

Environmental jobs are becoming more common, which means there are new definitions of these jobs and their impacts. GreenBiz’s report identifies two types of environmental jobs at green businesses in 2023: green and greening. 

Green jobs are those that “have a high green skills intensity” and examples include: 

• Environmental Health Safety Engineer 
• Sustainability Manager 
• Energy Manager 
• Environment Health and Safety Specialist 

Greening jobs, meanwhile, are more traditional jobs that now need to be approached differently with sustainability at the forefront. 

Some greening job examples are: 

• Director of Public Works 
• Power Generation Engineer 
• Vice President Facilities 
• Director of Regulatory Affairs 
• Construction 

The top ranked skills of these jobs also reveal an evolving work landscape. From 2015 to 2021, knowledge of sustainability has ranked as the top skill, but other skills, like corporate social responsibility and sustainable development have jumped from lower-ranked skills to now some of the highest. 

2. Decarbonizing Transportation 

To adhere to the Paris Agreement, public transportation and micromobility (single person modes of transportation like bicycles, e-bikes, electric scooters and skateboards) options must double within the decade. 

Transportation plays a big role in emissions, from delivery companies to commuting. 

Companies around the world are starting to make strides with electric vehicles, aided and pushed by cities like New York, London, and Paris establishing zero- and low-emission zones. 

People also need to actively choose alternate modes of transportation, but this is only possible through infrastructure and company support. Municipalities need to focus on expanding public transportation, creating safer bike lanes, and more. Companies, meanwhile, must offer more flexible working conditions and consider programs incentivizing their employees to carpool, bike, or take public transport. 

According to the Shared-Use Mobility Center, if the top 50 cities in the US made investments in mass transit, electric vehicles, and innovations in shared mobility, the country could cut 100 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. 

3. Sustainability Training on the Job 

There’s a lot that goes into building sustainability into a business model, including education, habit creation, and support. That’s why it’s crucial for companies to start investing in education for their employees on best sustainability practices and how they lead to business and societal success. 

There are many online resources on platforms including YouTube, LinkedIn Learning, and Terra.do offering courses like Climate Change: Learning for Action. Digital access to education is endless and more affordable, sometimes even free. 

Sustainability education for your employees also expands beyond practices like recycling or lowering your carbon footprint. It’s also about creating the most ethical and equitable workplace for all, which is why DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) training is essential. 

4. Mandatory Carbon Disclosures 

The fate of our planet means it’s time for companies to disclose information about their practices and policies affecting human and environmental well-being. 

Belgium, Canada, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom now all require financial disclosures aligned with the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD). In the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission proposed a similar rule, Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors. 

The idea behind these rules is that the climate crisis poses various risks, including financial ones, and therefore voluntary and unregulated disclosure can no longer be accepted. 

In the past two years, thousands of companies have expressed support for the TCFD, up from less than one thousand in 2020. 

5. Investing in Natural Capital 

Companies investing in fossil fuels is the wrong direction for our planet—natural capital is the new frontier. 

Natural capital is the world's stock of natural resources, including geology, soils, air, water and all living organisms. Assets that natural capital provide are called ecosystem services and they’re critical for the future. 

There are four categories of ecosystem services: 

• Provisioning Services: A benefit or good that can be extracted from nature, such as food, trees, fish and livestock, plant-based materials that can be turned into clothing or other goods. 
• Regulating Services: Benefits of ecosystems regulating natural phenomena, such as bee pollination, tree roots stabilizing soil to prevent erosion, and bacteria decomposing waste. 
• Cultural Services: A “non-material benefit that contributes to the development and cultural advancement of people,” like the spreading of ideas and creativity, and recreation. 
• Supporting Services: The processes that allow basic life systems to thrive on Earth, like photosynthesis or the water cycle. 

All green businesses in 2023 need to do is look at the World Economic Forum’s estimate: protecting nature and biodiversity could generate $10 trillion annually in business opportunities and nearly 400 million new jobs. 

There is no path to decarbonization without major investments in natural capital.

Grant Harrison, director and senior analyst, sustainable finance and ESG at GreenBiz

6. The Rise of Geothermal 

According to the US Department of Energy, capturing just 0.1% of the planet’s heat could supply humanity’s energy needs for two million years. 

Geothermal could be the answer to this, but solar and wind continue to dominate. Geothermal energy is the thermal energy in the Earth's crust and capturing it could be the energy answer experts have been looking for. 

Solar and wind quickly became the leaders of renewable energy because of their lower price points, but thanks to legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, geothermal is now more affordable than ever. 

If governments and companies, together, invest more in geothermal it will become more accessible and life changing. 

The future starts now and green businesses in 2023 would be wise to take stock of new trends and adopt or support them. Working together, a wave of change is possible. 

In August 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to fight the climate crisis, grow domestic clean energy production, lower prescription drug costs, expand access to affordable health care coverage, and raise taxes on high-earning corporations—all to rebuild the US middle class for families, workers and businesses. Within this massive bill come numerous opportunities for small businesses—from accessing solar energy to electric vehicles and more. 

The IRA will work to reduce the United States’ share of global greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40%, or 1 gigaton, by 2030. According to 126 leading economists—including seven Nobel Laureates, two former Treasury Secretaries, two former Federal Vice Chairs and two former Council of Economic Advisors Chairs—the Act will also reduce the deficit to “help fight inflation and support strong, stable economic growth,” per the White House. 

Below are resources that the Green Business Network will update as more information emerges on how the IRA can support small business.  

Clean Energy 

With the IRA, small businesses can benefit from savings on installing solar panels and other energy efficient projects. Overall, there’s a potential for ~70% tax savings in various amounts and ways by utilizing clean energy. 

Check out these small business tax credits for energy efficiency: 

• 30% tax credit for installation of solar PV systems, ranging for 10 years (2022-2032) with no maximum that can be claimed. 
• Make it in America: This new provision offers tax credits for the use of American-made equipment for clean energy production. 
• There are bonus credits for businesses that pay workers a prevailing wage* and use registered apprenticeship programs. 
• 10% tax credit for clean energy projects in underserved communities. 
• Per the White House, these projects must be “established in communities that have previously relied upon the extraction, processing, transport, or storage of coal, oil, or natural gas as a significant source of employment, creating jobs and economic development in the communities that have powered America for generations.” 
• 20% tax credit for solar projects on federally-subsidized affordable housing projects and a 10% bonus credit for solar projects in low-income communities. 
• $5 per square foot to support energy efficiency improvements that deliver lower utility bills. 
• Expands the Rural Energy for America program, providing rural agricultural producers with clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades. 
• This is estimated to reach over 41,500 small businesses and farms, as well as over $9 billion for rural electric cooperatives. 
• $60 billion to on-shore clean energy manufacturing in the U.S. across the full supply chain.
• Grants and tax credits to reduce emissions from industrial manufacturing processes, including almost $6 billion for a new Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment Program to reduce emissions from the largest industrial emitters like chemical, steel and cement plants.
• $10 billion investment tax credit to build clean technology manufacturing facilities, like facilities that make electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels.
• $2 billion in grants to retool existing auto manufacturing facilities to manufacture clean vehicles.

To get started on your business’ clean energy journey, check out the Green Business Network’s guide on How to Improve Building Energy Efficiency Rating in the Office and at Home. 

*According to the US Department of Labor, a prevailing wage is the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation in the area of intended employment.

Energy Efficient Vehicles 

If your business requires transportation, consider switching to energy efficient vehicles if you haven’t already. 

The IRA offers a tax credit “covering 30% of purchase costs for clean commercial vehicles, like electric and fuel cell models.” 

Agricultre, Manufacturing, and Construction Industries 

The agriculture and manufacturing industries will especially see benefits from the Inflation Reducation Act.

Grants funded at $3 billion will be used to support the purchase and installation of zero-emission equipment and technology at ports. The Methane Emissions Reduction Program, meanwhile, will reduce the leaks from
the production and distribution of natural gas.

For manufacturing and construction projects, the Environmental Product Information Program will provide $250 million to support the development and enhanced standardization and transparency of environmental product declaration for construction materials and products.

For the agricultural industry, $40 billion is earmarked for agriculture, forestry and rural development, and $300 million specifically for a carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions quantification program.

Healthcare 

Running a business is hard enough without worrying about healthcare costs for yourself and your employees. The IRA also has several improvements to healthcare access and affordability that will directly benefit small business owners. 

The first benefit is the extension of the American Rescue Plan’s tax credits for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans through 2025. According to the White House, 25% of working-age adults enrolled in ACA are small business owners or self-employed and the uninsured rate for self-employed adults has dropped from 30% to 20.5% between 2013 and 2019. 

Another way the IRA is helping small business owners afford their healthcare is by lowering prescription drug costs for seniors. This is key because a 2021 SCORE survey found that while 21% of the US population is over 55, older Americans represent 50.9% of all business owners. 

With the passage of the IRA, yearly prescription drug costs will be capped at $2,000 and monthly insulin supplies will be capped at $35. It will also provide access to an increased number of free vaccines, including shingles and beyond. 

New Jobs and Equitable Labor Standards

Estimates show the Inflation Reduction Act will create 9 million new jobs over the next decade—more than 6 million jobs from grants, loans, and tax credits and nearly 3 million jobs stimulated by new loan guarantee authority for the U.S. Department of Energy. 

The breakdown of these new jobs and which sectors they will be in is as follows:

• 5 million jobs in clean energy
• 900,000 jobs in clean manufacturing
• 400,000 jobs in clean transportation
• 900,000 jobs in efficient buildings
• 150,000 jobs in environmental justice
• 600,000 jobs in natural infrastructure

What is more essential to these new jobs and implementing and investing in the IRA's policies, as outlined by the BlueGreen Alliance, is an improvement to the workplace itself and how labor can become more equitable.

It can do this by:

• Incentivizing the use of union labor
• Mandating that workers are paid a fair wage
• Utilizing union apprentice, pre-apprenticeship, and other union-affiliated training programs
• Ensuring equitable access to the jobs the IRA will create
• Prioritizing workers and communities most in need
• Building pathways into good-paying careers for workers across the nation

IRA Benefits by State 

The White House released state-by-state fact sheets for the IRA; see the specific benefits that pertain to your state. 

Below is a snapshot of benefits highlighted by the White House for Michigan. We selected Michigan as an example because Detroit is among the poorest cities in the country and because of Michigan’s historic automotive industry and the region’s potential to become a clean economy leader. The state also has significant rural areas that stand to benefit. And given the Flint, MI water crisis, an emphasis on environmental justice in Michigan is vital and the IRA takes steps in that direction as well.  

Here are some of the benefits Michigan will gain with the IRA: 

• 50%-100% of rebates for installation of new electric appliances, including heat pumps, stoves, and more. 
• Rebates for households to make repairs and improvements in single-family and multi-family homes to increase energy efficiency. 
• Support for transportation projects and plans to protect against extreme weather, such as flooding or heatwaves, through a new Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program. 
• Clean energy job creation through tax credits for the solar, wind, storage, and other clean energy industries 
• Environmental justice block grants, investments for cleaner buses and trucks, and a Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator that will prioritize emissions-reducing projects in disadvantaged communities and fund state and local green banks like Michigan Saves. 
• Support for climate-smart agriculture practices that will help Michigan’s 46,000 farms lead on climate solutions and reward their stewardship. 

How Do I Find Out More About These Small Business Resources in My Region? 

1. The Green Business Network will continue to update these pointers for finding ways the IRA can support your business: Set up Google alerts: "Inflation Reduction Act," "small business incentives," "climate change incentives," etc. Add the name of your state, city and county to the keywords. 

2. Reach out to your state and federal legislator's office—ask for them to conduct a town hall or host a webinar to explain how businesses can take advantage of the IRA. 

• Many regional chambers of commerce also track and share this kind of information with their members, so subscribe to their newsletters. If you are a member, ask them to provide information or host a webinar/workshop. 

3. Join the Council for Community and Economic Research to gain access to their state incentive directory. 

4. Stay tuned for how the new, national Green Bank called for by the IRA, can support your business’ clean energy projects. 

5. The US Department of the Treasury announced additional states and up to $1 billion funding for the State Small Business Credit Initiative. 

Thanks to Gloria Ware, the owner and founder of certified Green Business Network member Get The Bag, for these suggestions.   

The Inflation Reduction Act is a vast bill with many different components. Read Green America’s statement on the Act and visit WhiteHouse.gov for more information. 

Updated February 2023.

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The world is in the midst of a climate crisis. That’s why nonprofit Green America says you should grow a 'Climate Victory Garden'. For more information on Climate Victory Gardens, visit greenamerica.org

Upcoming Webinars

Everyone who registers for Green America webinars will receive a link to recordings.

Sign-up to receive notifications when registration opens.

The Urban Garden: Way to Grow Food in the City

June 13, 2024 - 2pm EST/11am PST

Join us for an inspiring session with 'The Urban Garden' authors, Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight. Gain insights on creating a stunning and productive city garden that reflects your personal style and enhances urban spaces.

Transformational Gardening: Fun with Funghi!

July 10, 2024 - 3pm EST/12pm PST

Want to learn more about the role of funghi (above and below ground) in gardening? Join us to hear more about it with the TransPlanter Rafaela Crevoshay!

Transformational Gardening: Irrigation and the Climate Victory Garden

July 25, 2024 - 3pm EST/12pm PST

Want to learn about the best, most eco-friendly ways to irrigate your Climate Victory Garden? Join us on to learn all about it with the TransPlanter Rafaela Crevoshay!

Transformational Gardening: Cover Crops

August 29, 2024 - 3pm EST/12pm PST

Want to incorporate cover-crops in your Climate Victory Garden? Join us to learn about the above- and below-ground benefits of utilizing cover-crops in your CVG with the TransPlanter Rafaela Crevoshay!

Check out our most recent webinar

By: Joanne Dowdell (board member representative) and Fran Teplitz (staff member representative), co-chairs of Green America’s Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Team

Green America Staff Contributors: Brooke Bennett, Anya Crittenden, Emma Kriss

Black History Month February 2023

The national theme of this year’s Black History Month, Black Resistance, recognizes how Black communities have resisted oppression in the United States throughout history, to this very day. This special time of celebration was originally chosen by the historian Carter G. Woodson, because February includes the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Woodson, known as the “father of Black history” created “Negro History Week” that ultimately became Black History Month. The holiday brings Americans together to remember, honor, and be inspired by Black history and culture.

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

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

Black History Month Resources:

Holiday Background & Social Justice:

Association for the Study of African American Life and History

Black History Month: HBCUBuzz (Historically Black Colleges & Universities)

National Museum of African American History & Culture

UNCF: Black History is Every Day Because Black Lives Matter Every Day

W.E.B. Dubois, Black History Month and the Importance of African American Studies

We are Teachers: Black History Month

Yes! Magazine: How Black History Paves the Way for a Just Black Future

2023 White House Proclamation

Economy:

AFL-CIO Black History Month: Union Leaders Profiles

Berkeley Economics, University of California: Black History Month/Economics

Green American Magazine Divided We Fall: Investigating the Costs of Racism to All of Us

Remaking the Economy: Black Food Sovereignty, Community Stories  (webinar)

Environment:

Bridging the Gap: Black History Month: Black authors on environmental justice

Bullard Center for Environmental & Climate Justice: 2023 Black History Month

Celebrating Black Environmentalists During Black History Month

Green America: How Environmental Justice Can Work for Everyone

Earthshare: The Critical Role of Black Environmentalists Throughout History & Today

Virtual Black History Month Events:

African Symbols Decoded: An Online Black History Month Presentation (Donation)

Black History Month Paint Party (Free; virtual attendees must purchase their own supplies)

Black History Month - Press ON!!! (Free)

Black History Month Nia and Healing Arts Jam ($30)

Black History Every Month: The History of Black People in America 1619-2023 ($22)

BOPSers 18th Annual Black History Month Celebration (Free)

Black History Month Youth Panel Discussion: Our History, Our Future (Free)

Black History Month Panel: Breaking Barriers in the Legal Profession (Free)

Library of Congress Events (Free)

SBA Black History Month Event: How to Thrive as a Black Owned Business (Free)

Ways to Celebrate Black History Month 2023

Why Black History? ($20)

2023 Black History Month - Resistance to Restoration (Free)

Understanding Black history is crucial to understanding U.S. history and the present. Let’s keep learning and working for justice.

Title: Executive Co-Director: Culture, Planning & Green Business Development

Hours: Full Time (4-day workweek)

Salary: $100,000 - $120,000 depending on experience

Reports to: President & CEO

Benefits: Excellent benefits including health care, dental care, support for working virtually, generous leave policy, and flexible 32-hour work week.

Founded in 1982, Green America is a national nonprofit dedicated to creating a just and sustainable society by harnessing economic power. Our unique approach focuses on economic action and marketplace strategies, working with consumers and investors.

We seek an experienced, collaborative leader, with a passion for people and project management in service to our social justice and environmental mission.

Green America is a highly collaborative, vibrant workplace.  We have a participatory decision-making process among staff members that aims to build consensus within departments and teams on how we carry out our work. Goals to advance Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion are woven into all of our work.

The Executive Co-Director: Culture, Planning & Green Business Development will provide planning, direction, and oversight for Green America’s work regarding: 1) Culture: Lead (a) the continuing integration of Green America’s JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion) commitments into all facets of the organization’s work and culture, and (b) the evolving nature of team building in a virtual organization; 2) Planning: with the Executive Team, drive annual planning processes for Green America’s programmatic work and budget, 3) Green Business: with Green America’s Green Business Network of companies and entrepreneurs seeking to advance corporate social and environmental responsibility, help build the green business sector.

The Executive Co-Director of Culture, Planning & Green Business Development works closely with the Executive Co-Director: Consumer and Corporate Engagement to ensure that programs and processes are integrated across the organization, and both Executive Co-Directors will work closely with the President & CEO to ensure that the organization is on track to meet all of its programmatic, financial, and organizational goals.  Together, the Executive Co-Directors and the CEO form the Executive Team (E-team) for the organization.  Like the teams across the organization and the board, the E-team is highly collaborative.

This position supervises Green America’s Director of Development & Organizational Advancement, Finance Director, Green Business Network Director, Executive Associate (with the CEO), and HR Director (with the Executive Co-Director of Consumer and Corporate Engagement).

Leadership responsibilities include:

CULTURE

1. Deepening our Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Work   

• Co-chair Green America’s staff and board member JEDI Team.
• Ensure Green America’s JEDI work and culture are integrated into all programs and new staff and board member orientations.

2. Creating a Strong Culture as a Newly Virtual Organization   

• Develop activities, programs, and processes that build relationships among staff members in a virtual context and oversee the planning of annual, in-person staff and board member gatherings.
• Oversee Green America Worker Membership, ensuring that volunteer roles are filled, agendas developed, and Worker Members are encouraged to take initiative to contribute to building a strong, positive Green America culture.

PLANNING & ORGANIZATIONAL OPERATIONS

3. Executive Team (E-Team) and Cross-Organizational Integration

• Work with the executive team to ensure smooth functioning across the organization, and that the organization is on track with its financial and programmatic goals. 
• Lead processes to ensure timely and well-run staff meetings, operating plan meetings, budget meetings, the annual staff gathering, and retreats as needed.

4.  Development:  Oversight & Fundraising

• Work with the Director of Development & Organizational Advancement to continue building strong development strategies.
• Through major donor visits and other approaches, raise funds and cultivate donors.

5. Finance: Oversight

• Work with the Finance Director and CEO on organizational financial needs and fiscal management, including the timely development of budgets, financials statements, audits, and tax forms.
• Ensure that Green America funds are invested following our social and environmental screening criteria, including serving on the Green America Endowment Executive Committee.

6. Board

• Serve as the Executive Team Lead to the board.

GREEN BUSINESS NETWORK (GBN)

7.  GBN: Oversight and Development

• Oversee the Green Business Network Director to develop new programs and opportunities, ensure programmatic and fundraising goals are met. Monitor progress throughout the year.

Skills Required:

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

• Commitment to Green America’s mission and goals; strong commitment to both environmental sustainability and social justice.
• Experience in working effectively with people across lines of difference to ensure a respectful, healthy, and welcoming work environment.
• Experience leading Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion initiatives.
• Proven collaborative leadership and the ability to work in coalitions.
• Fifteen or more years of management experience, especially in the non-profit sector.
• Financial experience, including the ability to work with teams to create, manage and balance multimillion dollar operating plans and budgets.
• Strong communication skills.
• Adaptability and creativity – ability to help solve problems and to take advantage of new opportunities.
• Ability to implement and oversee multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to support and oversee business membership growth plans.

To Apply:

Please send your resume and a cover letter to executivehire@greenamerica.org by March 3, 2023.

**********************************************************************************

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

Kase Custom is a small team of artisans using fully handmade and sustainable practices to build a collection of heirloom quality reclaimed wood furniture.

Reclaimed wood is the foundation on which Kase Custom is built and has been a conscious choice from day one. By sourcing domestic reclaimed wood, we are keeping waste out of our landfills and giving it a new life as an heirloom quality piece of furniture. Our pieces are sturdy, practical and multi-functional by design, meant to last for generations to come.

Companies Improve on Renewable Energy But Need Major Improvement on Equity and Impacts on Underserved Communities. 

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 26, 2023 – The three major U.S. telecommunications companies are significantly underperforming when it comes to energy justice, according to a new report by Green America. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile each received C or D grades in the organization’s latest report, which investigates energy use in the sector and assesses the companies’ energy procurement on key principles of energy and environmental justice.  

Calling for a Just, Clean Transition, part two, found that while telecom companies have made several of the largest corporate clean energy purchases ever since Green America launched its Hang Up on Fossil Fuels Campaign in 2018, the industry still has a long way to go to reach 100% renewable energy. And all of the companies must do more to ensure that their energy purchases support energy justice. It is not enough to simply purchase renewable energy. Companies also need to ensure that energy purchases support energy justice by benefiting communities most harmed by fossil fuels and incorporating these communities and workers into the process of siting and construction decisions.  

The report includes a scorecard grading each company on renewable energy goals, renewable contracts, renewable use, and energy justice: 

An overview version of the report is also available. 

Dan Howells, climate campaigns director at Green America, said: “It is encouraging that the big telecoms are making progress in adopting renewable energy to protect the planet. Yet, T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T all could be doing more to put new wind and solar power on the grid. And all three companies need to use their market power to advance energy justice and protect communities as well.” 

The report finds that companies can improve their energy justice scores by contracting for energy from companies that make improvements around the following RFP criteria:  

1. Decision-making power: Form Oversight Boards and Technical Advisory Groups that are composed of environmental justice communities and frontline leadership. Environmental and energy justice advocates consistently stress the importance of ensuring participation – an aspect of procedural justice – by impacted communities, with meaningful opportunities to influence decision-making. The ability (or inability) to influence processes by which decisions are made directly informs the extent to which siting, energy burdens, and economic opportunities create just (or unjust) outcomes.   

2. Sourcing and Siting: Commit to use only regenerative and non-extractive clean energy solutions that reduce pollution in environmental justice communities. Formally exclude waste-to-energy incineration and woody biomass power from what is considered renewable, even if these sources of energy meet state renewable performance standard guidelines. Energy sources that continue to burden environmental justice communities with on-site pollution are diametrically opposed to energy justice. Where siting of renewable energy (for example, hydropower) creates impacts to local, disadvantaged and/or environmentally overburdened communities, this should also be mitigated and where possible, avoided.  

3. Energy burdens: Ensure energy affordability and offer low-income energy assistance to under-served and environmental justice communities. This includes (but is not limited to) supporting rooftop solar on public and affordable housing; supporting community solar projects; and other actions to reduce the energy burden on lower- and middle-income households, ensuring accessibility to renewable energy. Energy burdens are one of the most tangible problems facing families in low-income and BIPOC communities, and energy companies providing residential energy are directly positioned to provide more equitable access through a variety of programs and investments.   

4. Economic opportunities (entrepreneurship): Strive for a minimum of 30% subcontracts within the next five years to be with minority-and women-owned or managed companies. Develop plans to increase the minimum threshold as minority-and women-owned or managed businesses in the sector increase. Report out publicly on progress in achieving this goal. The clean energy sector is advancing, while perpetuating existing inequities in economic opportunity. A commitment to energy sourcing that relies on increased business with minority and women-owned or managed vendors can foster progress toward energy equity. For publicly traded companies, this means incorporating minorities and women into positions of leadership, including in the C-suite and on boards.  

5. Economic opportunities (inclusive workplaces): Incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging (DEIJB) throughout its workforce and across leadership roles or must have stated goals to increase diversity and reform culture in the sector with measures for accountability. Energy companies should be advancing toward truly inclusive and equitable workplaces internally, including accountability measures, to support progress in a traditionally male and white-dominated industry. 

Elizabeth Silleck La Rue, report author and CEO of Silleck Consulting Services, LLC, said: “Systemic inequities won't reverse themselves; it will take genuine, intentional, and sustained effort to create a renewable energy industry that fairly distributes decision-making power, benefits and burdens. Where the fast-growing and increasingly critical telecommunications and renewable energy industries intersect, there's an opportunity to level the notoriously imbalanced power dynamics that plague the energy sector. Let's take it."  

Fossil fuel extraction, combustion, and waste disproportionately harm communities of color, leading to significant environment and health impacts. In the transition to renewables, it is also essential to ensure that jobs in wind and solar benefit impacted and underserved communities. Currently, women of all races, and Black, Latino, and Indigenous peoples are underrepresented in the clean energy workforce. When solar and wind facilities are built in or near vulnerable communities, those communities must have key roles in the process and obtain benefits from the installations. 

Part one of the report was released in 2022 and outlined the steps companies need to take to improve on energy justice. The report can be found at https://reports.greenamerica.org/energy-justice.  

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ABOUT GREEN AMERICA  

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

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

It’s a new year—the Earth continues spinning, progress inches its way forward despite the deeply rooted challenges the world still faces, and it’s time to plan for the year ahead. For entrepreneurs, that means looking at business practices for as successful a new year as possible. One of the most important practices to pick up or strengthen is a commitment to sustainability and these green business resolutions can help your business make that a reality. 

1. Cut the Greenwashing 

Study after study is finding that consumers are prioritizing sustainable brands and products, even if it means they’ll pay more. 

A 2022 report from First Insight found 68% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products and 72% of consumers say sustainability is more important when deciding on a purchase than brand name, which is up from previous studies. 

With the increasing importance of sustainability and the public’s awareness of it, people may be more skeptical of generalized jargon on a product’s label, at best touting vague promises and at worst lying through greenwashing. 

Greenwashing is an actively harmful practice and it’s not going to fly anymore with consumers. Last year, when the British watchdog organization, the Competition and Markets Authority, announced it would be looking into several fashion companies’ sustainability claims, ASOS, the British retailer, conveniently deleted the sustainable category from its website. 

If you’re looking to dodge greenwashing claims, commit to the work and agree to independent third-party reviews. The Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides is a good place to start, as is the Green Business Network’s member program. Be on the look-out for our upcoming letter to the FTC, and information on how you can raise your own business voice, as they conduct the 2023 review of the Green Guides. 

Another practice to avoid is the newly labeled “greenhushing,” when a company claims sustainability efforts but then never communicates its goals or practices with stakeholders or the public for accountability or transparency. 

2. Take Advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act 

When Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in August 2022, it promised big goals, like reducing the United States’ share of global greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40%, or 1 gigaton, by 2030. 

One of the ways the bill aims to achieve this is through various new incentives making resources and products like clean energy and energy efficient vehicles more accessible. 

Some of the incentives include tax credits, rebates on energy efficient appliances and vehicles, better healthcare for small business owners and employees, and more. 

To find out more about what benefits your business can claim, see The Inflation Reduction Act: Guide to Small Business Resources. 

3. Reuse, Recycle, Donate 

By now we all know about recycling, donating and thrifting, and generally minimizing our waste. But how thorough is your business when it comes to minimizing waste? Consider these steps and tips for becoming a truly waste-free enterprise: 

• Start tracking your business’ waste, including general trash, food waste, and e-waste. Note how things are disposed of and how often—this will make you better equipped for tackling the waste.  

• For specific waste, like food and electronics, Google “local composting” or “local electronics recycling” to find programs or organizations in your area that can help. 

• No more single-use plastic. None. 
• Learn how to really recycle. Every city and municipality is different, so check out How2Recycle to better understand what and how you can recycle. 
• Instead of throwing away appliances, office supplies, or anything else your business uses, consider donating them if they’re in good condition. Chances are, another small business, a school, someone working from home could use that old printer. Try checking your local Buy Nothing Project chapter, or Facebook Marketplace. 

4. Develop a “Takeback” Program 

On the topic of waste, consider starting a “takeback” program at your business. Depending on the products or services you sell and their lifespans, some businesses find it more useful for customers to return products once they’re finished with them. 

By taking over the entire lifecycle of a product, businesses can minimize waste and consumers’ responsibilities when they may not know as much about local waste or recycling regulations. 

Swedish academic Thomas Lindhqvist first defined this idea, or extended producer responsibility (EPR), in the 1990s. EPR is a strategy employed to identify and take responsibility for all environmental costs of a product’s lifecycle, from production to use and, finally, disposal. 

Some examples of current takeback programs: 

• Patagonia offers free repairs to its products and recycles or reuses products when they reach the end of their life. 

• At cosmetics retailer Lush, customers are incentivized to return the 100% post-consumer recycled pots in exchange for a free face mask. 
• MUD Jeans takes back any pair of jeans (96% or more cotton) and recycles them back into their own products. 

5. Encourage Flexibility for Employees 

The work from home (WFH) revolution has begun and for good reason. Mandatory stay-at-home orders in 2020 revealed the positives of a minimal commuter culture, from less emissions and cleaner air to a more equitable sharing of land for all living creatures by nature falling back into rhythm and wildlife having more space and freedom to thrive. For more on this, check out the 2021 documentary The Year the Earth Changed. 

For businesses where an office or commuting is necessary, there are ways to still prioritize less damage to our planet. 

The first way is to offer employees more flexibility, such as a hybrid WFH schedule or allowing employees the choice of when they commute (either specific days or time of day). Another option, if the workplace is local, is offering a subsidized bike, carpool, or public transportation scheme. 

For example, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offers $20 monthly stipends for expenses incurred while commuting to work via bike. 

Finally, if travel is involved for your employees, consider buying carbon offsets for work travel when it’s financially feasible. 

6. Ensure an Ethical Supply Chain 

An important point to remember while running a business is that you don’t do it alone (most of the time). When it comes to the timeline of a business and its products or services, there are several steps involved even before a product lands on the shelf. 

To make your business sustainable from top to bottom, investigate the sustainability of every step of your business’ operations and ensure you’re working within an ethical supply chain. 

Research the suppliers you work with and see if they prioritize the same environmental and social concerns as you and what sustainable practices they utilize. You can also research the types of raw materials being used for your products in order to avoid harmful things like palm oil, lead, and plastic packaging. 

Another tip: Consider switching to local suppliers and vendors to limit your carbon footprint from travel. 

7. Foster a Just and Fair Workplace 

There’s no way to have a sustainable planet if it’s not also a just and equal planet—for every person and living thing. 

This year, survey your workplace to see how you can better the lives of your employees, from more flexible schedules, generous benefits, DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) programs, and more. 

Some practices to consider this year if you haven’t already, include open hiring and considering potential employees from a wider pool, like those experiencing homelessness or have experienced incarceration; an equitable 401(k) plan; DEI training; and becoming a more inclusive business for employees and customers alike. 

The first month of the year isn’t over yet—what can you do with your business to better serve the planet and its inhabitants in 2023? 

Join millions of Green Americas fighting for a better labor world, both in your business and personal life.

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

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

Includes advising clients, comparing properties to sell to clients, promoting properties, preparing documents and purchase agreements, soliciting potential clients, negotiating properties for clients

Company

Required:

• Business core purpose includes a “green” business function.
• Social and environmental mission and vision statement for your business on its website.

Preferred:

• Banking with a community development, minority, or socially & environmentally responsible bank or credit union.
• Protocols in place (e.g., trainings, HR policies, support group(s), statement of commitment, accountability mechanisms, etc.)  that advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) within the company.

Services

Required: 

• Ensures health and social equity 
  • Prioritize access and inclusivity of services (e.g., works with mixed-income communities) For example, many low-income communities are more prone to health issues due to water and air quality issues, like placing them closer to incinerators, etc. 
  • Create goals to improve equity issues related to real estate
  • Benefits the community (e.g., philanthropy, services) Improving the health of the overall community and its people 
  • Provides equitable financing recommendations for clients.
• Familiar with sustainability best practices and benefits  
  • Avoids selling “flipped” properties that do not include energy saving features such as eco-friendly insulation, energy efficient appliances, alternative power source, etc.
  • Energy and water efficient appliances (e.g., EnergyStar rated appliances, water saving fixtures) 
  • Practices in place to reduce stormwater runoff 
  • Landscaping done with sustainability in mind (irrigation, xeriscaping) 
  • Energy efficient lighting 
  • Buildings are properly insulated (e.g., energy efficient windows, insulation) 
  • HVAC system well-maintained 
  • Access to renewable energy; knows EPS (Energy Performance Score) or HERS (Home Energy Rating System) score 
  • Ensure resilience of buildings from natural disturbances 
  • Minimize exposure to toxins and pollutants (pest control, lawn maintenance) 
  • Location is near access to alternative transportation  
  • Informs potential homeowners or renters and sellers of sustainability initiatives and has this information on their website 
  • Offer virtual showings and meetings
  • Use of digital documents

Preferred: 

• Provides a list of recommended green businesses/contractors to potential buyer 
• Familiar with a variety of sustainable and high-performance building methods and certifications  
• Earned a Green Certification or completed a course in how to be a green realtor or real estate agent

Company Employment

Required:

• Employees have access to family friendly benefits including high-quality health insurance, sick days, paid parental leave and childcare help.
• Offer a flexible workplace culture that encourages work/life balance and makes reasonable accommodations for telecommuting and flex schedules.
• For employees that are not commissioned, pays a wage that ensures employees well-being.
• Has an established non-discrimination policy and procedure and ensures an inclusive workplace culture.
• Governs fairly and in a transparent manner. Is open to employee input. Has a whistle blower protection policy in place.

Preferred:

• For employees that are not commissioned, living wage is paid.
• Has an established program that invests in employee growth and development.

Education

Required:

• Use transparent and truthful marketing.
• Advocate for green business practices in your industry.
• Established program for receiving input from both internal and external stakeholders.
• Participation in continuing education such as Earth Advantage 
• Familiarity with Home Energy Score and the EPA’s Indoor airPlus .

Preferred:

• Actively seeks feedback from industry peers and participates in industry associations and mentor programs.
• Provide educational materials to clients on value of energy efficiency homes

Green Office/Facility

Required:

• HVAC system well-maintained, building well-insulated, and smart and efficient climate control employed.
• System in place for reducing electricity consumption from lighting and electronics.
•  Use of Energy Star rated appliances and CFL/LED light bulbs in office.
• Use of 100% post-consumer recycled, Chlorine Free paper in the office and in all envelopes, marketing, and print materials.
• Systems in place for reducing paper use such as electronic processes, printers set with double sided printing as the default, and more.
• Use of only non-toxic cleaning and pest control products.
• Maximum amount of waste is reused or recycled including paper, plastic, metals, glass, electronics, and printer ink cartridges.
• Action on clean energy such as purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or use of on-site clean energy.
• Compost all food waste.
• Landscaping done with sustainability in mind, especially considering runoff and stormwater management.
• Only fair trade and USDA certified organic coffee and tea served in the office.
• Use of green or local caterers for events.
• Use of a certified E-Steward for electronics recycling.
• Proper disposal of hazardous materials (e.g., batteries, paint, motor oil, etc).
• Knowledge of recycling/composting guidelines at your local recycling/composting facility.

The Green Business Network^® at Green America is home to both rising social and eco enterprises and to well-established green businesses, including landscaping, gardening, and farming businesses. We provide the resources to help business and entrepreneurs with strong social and environmental commitments thrive in today’s competitive green marketplace.

A key benefit of membership is our certification program. This guide provides an overview for achieving our certification for businesses in the Landscaping, Gardening, & Farming sector. If your business meets the criteria in this guide, we encourage to join the Green Business Network and apply for certification. If awarded, we will promote your business to the public and to Green America’s 250,000+ green consumers looking for businesses like yours! 

How To Get Started as a Green Business in the Landscaping, Gardening, & Farming Sector

Agriculture and landscaping are highly polluting industries because of the prevalent use of chemical and petroleum-based pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. These harmful chemicals deplete the soil; pollute water supplies; kill pollinators; lower nutritional content; degrade the health of surrounding communities; and harm workers’ health. Follow the guidelines below to get started on being a green business in this sector. At the Green Business Network, “green” always means social justice and environmental sustainability. 

Download Guide

Ready to get started? Fill out the form below, and we'll email you our How To Guide for landscaping, gardening, & farming businesses. You'll also receive occasional updates from Green America's Green Business Network. You can update your subscription preferences or unsubscribe anytime.

Climate the Top Sustainability Concern; Ending Workplace Discrimination Tops Shareholder Resolutions; Community Development Investments Soar

The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (US SIF) documents the assets involved in socially responsible investing strategies, also known as ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) investing along with other key developments in sustainable investing. The newest, biannual Report on U.S. Sustainable Investing Trends, released December 2022, tallies sustainable investing at $8.4 trillion.

The new report reflects a decrease in ESG investing for reasons that stand to benefit the continuing development of sustainable investing over time. First, the latest report applied a more stringent methodology to identify assets involved in ESG investing to ensure that specific ESG criteria are applied to all assets counted. This more detailed approach and level of disclosure is needed given the recent, rapid and sizeable increase in firms claiming to integrate ESG considerations.

Secondly, US SIF also attributes the decrease in their ESG-investing tally over that in the 2020 report to action by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that mandates greater disclosure of funds’ ESG criteria. Both the change in report methodology and action by the SEC bode well for ensuring a more accurate count of the dollars involved in sustainable investing.

Highlights of the report include:

• Climate and carbon emissions are the top ESG concern of both asset managers and institutional asset owners; fossil fuel divestment ranked fourth among the ESG factors that asset managers address.
• Workplace fairness, especially focused on ending ethnic and sex discrimination, emerged as the top concern in shareholder resolutions.
• Community development investing, benefiting economically marginalized communities, continued to rise, reaching $458 billion; this is an increase of 72% since the last report in 2020 and a $600% increase over the last decade.
• After climate-related criteria, the top issues for asset managers focused on military/weapons; tobacco; and anti-corruption.
• After climate-related criteria, the top concerns for institutional investors focused on conflict risk (terrorism or repressive regimes), corporate board issues, sustainable resources/agriculture, and tobacco.

Green America has resources to keep you updated all year long on socially responsible investing, better banking, and shareholder action. Together, we can vote with our dollars to support people and the planet.

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

The Green Business Network^® at Green America is home to both rising social and eco enterprises and to well-established green businesses, including sustainable personal care brands. We provide the resources to help business and entrepreneurs with strong social and environmental commitments thrive in today’s competitive green marketplace.

A key benefit of membership is our certification program. This guide provides an overview for achieving our certification for businesses in the Body & Personal Care sector. If your business meets the criteria in this guide, we encourage to join the Green Business Network and apply for certification. If awarded, we will promote your business to the public and to Green America’s 250,000+ green consumers looking for businesses like yours! 

How To Get Started as a Green Business in the Sustainable Personal Care Sector

Personal care products are made with thousands of chemicals, some of which are known or suspected carcinogens. Federal regulation of this sector is highly inadequate to protect human and environmental health. Follow the guidelines below to get started on being a green business in this sector. At the Green Business Network, “green” always means social justice and environmental sustainability. 

Download Guide

Ready to get started? Fill out the form below, and we'll email you our How To Guide for sustainable personal care brands. You'll also receive occasional updates from Green America's Green Business Network. You can update your subscription preferences or unsubscribe anytime.

Global demand for chocolate, not least during the holiday season, has devoured tropical forests where cocoa trees grow.

Now, lawmakers in the European Union, the world’s largest cocoa buyer, have vowed to import only what doesn’t destroy or degrade forests. It’s part of a landmark legislative package to address deforestation risks in the supply chains of several commodities: cattle, timber, coffee, rubber, soy, cocoa and palm oil. (Palm oil is also used to make chocolate.)

Tips for raised beds, pest control, soil health, and more from Permaculture expert Nicky Schauder - www.greenamerica.org/climate-victory-garden-questions-answered

Title: Responsible Finance Campaign Director
Supervisor: Executive Co-Director, Consumer & Corporate Engagement
Position: Part-Time (20 hours/week); grant-track position
Salary: $43,000 - $49,000 depending on experience
Benefits: medical, dental, disability insurance, sick leave, vacation, virtual work

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

The Responsible Finance Campaign Director is a new grant-based position, in Green America’s Corporate Responsibility Programs & Communications teams, that will work to educate and mobilize investors and consumers on the importance of ESG (environmental, social, corporate governance) investing. The position will focus on educating institutional and individual investors on the positive aspects of ESG-based investing and sustainable investing and involve them in initiatives that uphold investors’ ability to choose ESG-based investment options including those that address the climate crisis.

Duties and Responsibilities

Campaigns

• Plan and implement campaigns to mobilize investors, businesses, and asset managers in support of ESG-based investing and banking, including debunking anti-ESG propaganda.
• Plan and implement campaigns to mobilize employees at major companies to seek ESG-based options in their retirement plans, including those that address the climate crisis.
• Participate in coalitions to support ESG and sustainable investing, especially climate-focused investments; link climate issues to impacts on, and the leadership of, frontline and communities of color.
• Draft comments to regulatory agencies, provide comments on legislation and build support for governmental action to protect and advance ESG investing.
• Integrate justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) impacts into communications and actions.
• Participate in departmental and other meetings as needed.
• Other campaign tasks as assigned.

Communications

• Coordinate with the Communications & Publications teams to create, update and optimize content on ESG investing and better banking.
• Work with the Web and Social Media Teams to ensure ESG investing and Responsible Finance content is well-suited for the web and social media, reaching a wide and diverse audience.
• Research and update/develop content (blogs, email, webpages, social posts, guides, digital and print articles and press releases) to educate investors and the public on ESG investing issues, including impacts on diverse communities.
• Speak on behalf of Green America at events and to the media on ESG-based investing and related topics.
• Participate in departmental and other meetings as needed.
• Other Communications duties as assigned.

We seek the following in qualified candidates:

• Support for Green America’s mission and to advancing our justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion commitments.
• 5+ years of campaign and communications experience.
• Strong research and writing skills; ability to synthesize information and develop clear and compelling messaging. Experience creating content for various audiences and for web, social media, and print.
• Ability to use social media creatively and effectively, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate and implement online campaigns.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively in coalitions and with a diverse range of allies.
• Experience with advocacy for ESG/sustainable investing preferred.
• Willingness to publicly present Green America’s Responsible Finance program and respond to media inquiries.

To Apply: Please send cover letter and resume to hire@greenamerica.org  

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

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.

Green America's 2022 Victories (and a sneak peek at the work ahead in 2023)

Together, we accomplish the extraordinary. Here we take a moment to celebrate our 2022 victories that Green America members make possible and spotlight advances that will make our work even more powerful in 2023:

Thanks to our campaigns, Amazon, AT&T, and Verizon have gone from using no renewable energy to making some of the largest corporate commitments to clean energy ever.

We launched our Soil Carbon Initiative (SCI) Go-to-Market pilots. SCI provides the “how to” road maps, commitments, and third-party verification to help farms and companies transition to regenerative agriculture for soil and climate health. The pilot farmers, companies, and their networks represent over three million acres.

We reached a milestone of 15,000 registered Climate Victory Gardens that are sequestering carbon equivalent to driving 38 million miles and educated millions of people nationwide about the benefits of regenerative gardening through earned media, our website, and webinars.

Our Toxic Textiles campaign moved Carter’s, the kids clothing company, to commit that 100% of its cotton and polyester will be sustainable by 2030. The company has also committed that all 0-24-month baby clothes will be Oeko-Tex certified as non-hazardous by December 2022.

Our Clean Electronics Production Network collected chemical data from over 100 electronics manufacturing facilities to map the chemicals in use in the electronics industry. In 2022, smartphone maker Fairphone joined Apple, Dell, and HP in committing to eliminating high priority toxic chemicals and protecting workers from these chemicals. We are also working with these companies to substitute safer chemicals in electronics production to protect millions of workers from exposure to the most toxic chemicals in use.

Our Skip the Slip campaign got CVS to offer digital or no receipt options to all customers, saving 87 million yards of receipt paper, enough to circle the globe twice.

In 2023, we’ll build on these victories and our other progress on climate, regenerative agriculture, and protecting workers from toxic chemical for more extraordinary progress for people and the planet. Stay tuned!

Congress Passed the Inflation Reduction Act and Tabled a Dirty Side Deal

In 2022, Green America joined with allies in pushing for strong climate change and social justice provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was signed into law in August. That coalition also worked together to oppose fossil fuel handouts in the bill. Unfortunately, the subsidies for fossil fuels were incorporated in the final legislation. Still, the IRA is the most significant expansion of climate policy in US history and provides tax incentives and funding that will:

• Rapidly expand wind and solar power in the US.
• Help millions of Americans switch to electric appliances and vehicles.
• Provide billions of dollars in support to Green Banks nationwide to further state and local climate change efforts.
• Provide support to struggling farmers and fund conservation programs.
• Ramp up manufacturing and installation of clean energy technologies in the US to create millions of jobs.

We will use the passage of the IRA to accelerate corporate adoption of clean energy, and ensure federal agriculture funding supports regenerative farming. We’ll also help our members and the public learn how they can access the money that the IRA provides to go solar and switch to electric vehicles. And we’ll help our Green Business members learn how they can take advantage of the IRA to further green their businesses.

Green America also joined with environmental justice allies nationwide to successfully oppose the “Manchin side-deal” from getting included in a must-pass budget bill. This side deal would have accelerated permitting for fossil fuels projects in exchange for Senator Joe Manchin’s vote in favor of the IRA.

“Communities most harmed by fossil fuels would have once again been most hurt by speeding up permitting of fossil fuel pipelines and other infrastructure,” says Dan Howells, Green America’s climate campaigns director.

Green America mobilized our individual and business members and reached out directly to Congressional staffers to encourage their members to oppose. In a victory for people and the planet, the side deal legislation was removed from the budget bill. But it could come back up after the election, so we’ll be ready to mobilize opposition again.

Regenerative Agriculture Provides Healthier Foods for Consumers

The evidence is in. Not only is regenerative agriculture the solution to rebuilding soil health, restoring the climate and regenerating farm prosperity, but crops grown in regenerative fields are better for our health as well. Over the past several decades, conventional crops grown in tilled soils and doused in multiple chemicals produced food with decreasing nutritional benefits.

Not surprisingly, when farmers improve soil health and reduce chemicals, the food that is grown is healthier. Peer-reviewed research from a 2022 study published in the journal PeerJ shows that crops grown in regenerative fields are higher in phytonutrients, vitamins, and other nutrients.

Green America’s Soil Carbon Alliance, our network of farmers and food companies, recently launched the Nutrient Density Working Group to draw attention to the nutritional benefits of regenerative agriculture. Working with farmers and food companies, along with consumer advocates, nutritionists, the medical community, and grassroots groups working on food access, this initiative will help spur the demand for the transition to regenerative agriculture.

“The regenerative farmers we work with like to say ‘healthy soil grows healthy plants, to feed healthy people and communities,’” says Jessica Hulse Dillon, director of Green America’s Soil & Climate Alliance. “Connecting the impact of regenerative practices with nutrient density increases the impact of work in the climate, environmental, and food access spaces to transform our food system.”

“We shall come in drag, which means men wearing women’s costumes,” declared an 1870 party invitation printed in the UK’s Reynolds Newspaper.

It was the 19th century and drag as we understand it today—the exaggerated performance of gender—was being defined and shaped for the first time. Of course, drag existed long before, in the days of Ancient Rome, Shakespearean theater, and Japanese kabuki.

Despite dangerous critics threatening violence at drag events, drag performers nonetheless remain, wigs high and makeup bold, proud and resilient as Mother Earth herself. For some queens and kings, their ties to nature run deeper still in sustainable drag.

Three people, connected by the drag world but occupying separate roles—a performer, costume designer, and photographer—speak about how community fosters sustainable action and fulfillment.

You’re Born Naked and the Rest Is Drag

An Indigenous drag star, a photographer who grew up on a sustainable herb farm, a South Korean costume designer raised by activists. Their origins set the stage and the communities that followed, from drag to family and friends, shaped them.

Bohenne Arreaux is Diné (Navajo peoples) and Creole, from the Jena Band of Choctaw, and their Indigenous roots are not only a part of their drag persona, but the foundation. (Note: Bohenne Arreaux is Two-Spirit and uses all pronouns.)

“I was definitely a novelty in the beginning,” they say of being an Indigenous drag performer. “But I’m not doing my drag in a way that performs culture as much as I am sharing who I am with people.”

Cassidy DuHon, a DC-based photographer and amateur drag queen has had a deep love of nature cultivated by his parents, including his soil scientist mother, from birth.

“Our role as humans in nature is to go out and commune with larger spirits, commune with your friends through the act of removing yourself from [the distractions of] society,” he says.
Similar to Arreaux’s Indigenous community and DuHon’s parents, Hahnji (who prefers to go by their first name only) recalls their childhood in South Korea: activist elders put solar panels on the roof and visits to their thrift-loving grandmother in Michigan resulted in a return to South Korea sporting 70s lace bell bottoms from Goodwill.

Drag came from their gender identity: “I’m gender-fluid and I like to play with different silhouettes. I went through a high femme phase, with heels and skirts with petticoats, only to change into basketball shorts and a tank top when I got home. I was doing drag on the regular and didn’t know it.”

It made sense, then, to infuse their earliest lessons and values into their drag community, just as Arreaux and DuHon did.

Making Treasure from Trash—Together

Shangela, a drag queen who gained fame on RuPaul’s Drag Race and now co-hosts We’re Here on HBO Max, has called drag queens some of the most resourceful people. In a 2021 article in Wealthsimple, she praised how they use makeup to the very end and recycle costumes, all while relying largely on tips earned at shows—which they booked using their own talent for both entertainment and cultivating connections.

One of Arreaux’s most iconic looks was crucially made with the help of others, from friends to ancestors and creatures who lost their lives.

“I was in a competition, the theme was Monster Ball,” she recalls. “I knew there would be Frankensteins, vampires, zombies, and I wanted to do a creature from Indigenous mythology.”

She went as the Deer Woman, a fertility and love figure for everyone who shows respect to women and children, and a vengeful, murderous spirit to those who harm women and children, known to lure men to their deaths.

Creating the costume for Deer Woman stemmed directly from their Indigenous beliefs of respecting the land and not creating waste.

“The costume was actually made from a couch,” Arreaux explains. He stripped the leather from the couch, given to him by an old roommate, and Deer Woman’s creation began.

Wanting to honor the animal which lost its life for the couch, Arreaux gave the skin new purpose while sustainably upcycling and avoiding waste. It’s a rule they follow when creating anything, from a theatre prop to a new drag character: “You have to be really wise about making something that lasts.”

Wandering, But Not Lost

DuHon saw drag differently through understanding resourcefulness and seeing drag in nature amongst community.

In 2012, a friend invited DuHon to Beltane, the Gaelic May Day festival honoring the start of summer. His friend was a member of the Radical Faeries, a counterculture movement started by gay men in the 1970s seeking community and spirituality in nature.

“At first it was like, ‘Oh, this is this strange party in the woods.’ But then I really took to the deeper spiritual aspects of it,” DuHon says.

Everything changed for him then. He became a Radical Faerie, started the hashtag #dragofthewoods on Instagram, and began hosting his own sustainable drag events, like a queer camping trip. One of his friends made an entire ballgown and accessories from grocery bags upon realizing the bags customers return in the hopes they’ll be recycled often go straight in the trash. Another sparkled and dazzled with a flowing, golden cape made of salvaged honey packets.

“Doing drag in nature takes teamwork,” he says. “Limited electricity, no place to plug in that glue gun. You work together to craft a look from less. The woods remind us to get back to our communal nature.”

Living in this world, finding community and support can be transformative and life-giving.

Five Corporations in a Trench Coat

Hahnji sees community all around them.

It is the Mexican artist down the street in New York City they buy pieces from for a play by a Mexican American playwright, and then develop a friendship. It is the performer who wants to keep their costume made by Hahnji, giving the piece life again and again. It is the young queer people, lacking resources, who come to Hahnji for styling help.

“We live in a country of five corporations in a trench coat and they don’t want us to be a community,” they explain. “A lot of what I do is promote resources and give back.”

Hahnji’s approach to this is anti-capitalist, focusing on the green values of paying fair wages and reducing the use of non-renewable resources.

“I have to spend capital,” they say begrudgingly. “So my focus is where: ‘Can I refocus on labor? Can I refocus on valuing people?”

They encourage buying from BIPOC-(Black, Indigenous, People of Color)-owned businesses and re-thinking what capital can be, such as resources or education.

“Everything is super gatekept,” they explain, and doubly so for queens and kings who are members of communities of color, who are forced to fight uphill battles upon the intersection of racism and homophobia. It’s why they’re focused on aiding communities of color and gender-expansive communities, to give them the tools and aid purposely kept out of reach.

Eventually, they want to expand this sense of community even further: “A lot of these resources are focused in liberal areas like New York, but I want to take them to the Midwest and beyond.”

Drag exists everywhere, as do communities of color, queer, and marginalized people. Beyond New York City and Los Angeles, there are countless people pursuing their identity, their art, their look, dreaming of more, if only someone offered a hand.

Don’t Be a Drag, Just Be a Queen

As DuHon puts it, drag is the “great equalizer.” It is a powerful, unifying force, especially for queer people and reinforcing their community. It examines gender and privilege, and it cannot be done alone.

As drag queens and kings rely on their resourcefulness and resilience, their cheering section of friends at brunch, their mentors and ancestors, to thrive together in the face of protesters calling for their banishment, there is much to learn from them.

Sustainability in drag shows us that we can thrift clothes, make things using recycled materials from services like FABSCRAP, support small, LGBTQ+, BIPOC-owned businesses, and above all else: find community, ask for help. Green America’s Vote with Your Dollar toolkit also provides first steps to adopt a money-saving, community-building lifestyle at greenamerica.org/votewithyourdollar.

You are never alone, and you certainly can’t get that two-foot thrifted Dolly Parton wig on your head yourself.