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Into the Weeds Ticket Giveaway 2023 

Official Rules

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS INTENDED FOR PLAY IN THE UNITED STATES ONLY AND WILL BE GOVERNED BY U.S. LAW.  DO NOT ENTER IF YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE (AS DESCRIBED BELOW) AND LOCATED IN ONE OF THESE COUNTRIES AT THE TIME OF ENTRY.   

1.  Eligibility: Into the Weeds Ticket Giveaway 2023 (the “Sweepstakes”) is only open to: legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia, who are at least eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry.  Employees, contractors, directors, officers, and agents of Green America (“Sponsor”), and its affiliates, subsidiaries, and related entities and members of the immediate family (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where the reside) and household of each such employee (whether or not related) are not eligible to enter or win.  

This Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited.  Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstakes.  Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

2. Sponsor: Green America, 1612 K Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington DC 20006

3.  Sweepstakes Entry Period:  The Sweepstakes begins on September 8, 2023 at 10:00am EST and ends on September 18, 2023 EST at 11:59pm (the “Sweepstakes Entry Period”). All entries must be received before the Sweepstakes Entry Period end time/date to be valid.  

4. How to Enter:  During the Sweepstakes Entry Period, enter the Sweepstakes by: 

(i) Follow Green America's Instagram account @GreenAmerica_ and Into The Weeds Instagram account @intotheweedsdoc. Or Follow Green America's Facebook account @GreenAmerica and Into the Weeds Facebook account @intotheweedsdoc.

(ii) Create a comment on Green America’s Post about the giveaway tagging a friend or family member.

(iii) Share Green America's Post about the giveaway on your Instagram or Facebook feed.

All entry steps must be completed during the Sweepstakes Entry Period to be valid. Entrant must perform ALL entry steps including without limitation and comply with any applicable restrictions or requirements set forth herein to be valid. Entrants must agree to these Official Rules to receive an entry into the Sweepstakes. Limit: One (1) entry per person into the Sweepstakes during the Sweepstakes Entry Period. You must have a personal relationship with any person that you tag in the Sweepstakes Post.

You must have an Instagram or Facebook account to enter this Sweepstakes. If you do not have an Instagram or Facebook account, you can create one for free by visiting Instagram.com or Facebook.com.  By creating an account, you agree to such social media platform’s terms and conditions and guidelines. Your Instagram or Facebook account must be set to public in order for Sponsor to connect with potential winners; if your account is not public, you will not receive entry into the Sweepstakes.

Individuals who do not follow all of the instructions, provide the required information, and/or abide by these Official Rules or other instructions of Sponsor may be disqualified. Other entry methods than those outlined above are void and will not receive entry.

Automated entries are prohibited and any such use will cause disqualification.  Entrants may not enter with multiple email addresses/Instagram or Facebook accounts nor may entrants use any other device or artifice to enter multiple times or as multiple entrants.  If it is discovered that you have entered or attempted to enter the Sweepstakes multiple times using multiple identities, Instagram accounts, Facebook accounts, or email addresses, or that you submitted or attempted to submit more than the entry limit provided, all of your entries will be declared null and void, and any prize you might have been entitled to will not be awarded.  Presence of an garden on the Sponsor’s website is not a confirmation, representation, or warranty by the Sponsor or any of its representatives that the entry is compliant with these Official Rules.  Sponsor’s decisions with respect to whether an entry complies with these Official Rules are final and binding and may be made by Sponsor at any time.  

5. Grand Prize Drawing:  On September 19, 2023, Sponsor will randomly select five (5) winners from among all eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes Entry Period.  Odds of winning a prize depend on the number of eligible entries received. 

Potential prize winner must have a public Instagram/Facebook profile and will be notified on September 19, 2023 via a direct message at the Instagram account or Facebook account used to enter the Sweepstakes.  Potential winner must respond to such message within 3 business days of it being sent and must provide a valid email address. Sponsor will then email the potential winner with prize instructions, which potential winner must respond to in three business days, giving their first and last name and the AMC, Cinemark, or Regal theater they want to redeem their tickets at. Potential winners must meet all eligibility requirements, including timely replying to the notification and response email and execution and return of all releases and documents (if any) required by Sponsor, within the timeline allotted. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth in these Official Rules. Limit one prize per person/Instagram/Facebook account. 

Potential winners will be disqualified, the prize will be forfeited and an alternate potential winner may be selected if (all as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion): (i) any prize notification is returned as undeliverable; (ii) a potential winner declines his or her prize or any portion thereof; (iii) a potential winner is found not to be eligible or fails to comply with any of the Official Rules; (iv) a potential winner does not respond to direct message notification or the email within the timeframe provided; and/or (v) a winner cannot be verified or is otherwise unable or unwilling to accept and claim the prize as stated.  Sponsor is not responsible for any change or issue with any email address, mailing address, Instagram or Facebook account, and/or telephone number of entrants.  The decisions of Sponsor in all matters regarding this Sponsor are final and binding.

Winner may be required to complete, sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility/Liability Release, and, where lawful, a Publicity Release, within the timeframe set forth in the document or prize may be forfeited.  Prizes won by an eligible entrant who is a minor in his/her state or province of residence will be awarded to minor’s parent or  legal guardian, who must sign and return all required documents.  

6. Prize (1): Five (5) winners will receive two (2) tickets to see the film Into the Weeds at AMC, Cinemark, and Regal theaters. Prize is non-transferable and no cash equivalent or substitution of prize is offered, except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor.  If prize, or any portion thereof, cannot be awarded for any reason, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize with another prize of equal or greater value.  Prize winner will be solely responsible for all federal, state, provincial and/or local taxes, and for any other fees or costs associated with the prizes they receive, regardless of whether it, in whole or in part, is used. Tickets are available to redeem at AMC, Cinemark, and Regal theaters.

7. Release: As a condition of entering, entrants (or their parent or legal guardian if an eligible minor) agree (and agree to confirm in writing): (a) to release Sponsor, its affiliates, subsidiaries, retailers, and agents, and each of their officers, directors, employees and agents, Meta, and Instagram LLC (“Promotion Parties”), from any and all liability, loss or damage incurred with respect to the awarding, receipt, possession, and/or use or misuse of any prize; (b) under no circumstances will any entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby knowingly and expressly waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, consequential, or any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses and/or any rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased; (c) all causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes, or any prize awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and (d) any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred (if any), excluding attorneys’ fees and court costs.  

8. Publicity: Except where prohibited by law, winner grants (and agrees to confirm this grant in writing, if requested) permission for Sponsor and those acting under its authority to use his/her name, photograph, and/or likeness, for advertising and/or publicity purposes in any and all media now known or hereinafter invented without territorial or time limitations and without compensation.

9. General Conditions: Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, undelivered, incorrect, or inaccurate entry information whether caused by Internet users or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes or by any technical or human error which may occur in the processing of the entries.  Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes, or any part of it, if any fraud, bugs, virus, technical failures, or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.  In the event of cancellation, Sponsor will randomly award the prizes from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to cancellation.  Sponsor is not responsible for computer system, phone line, hardware, software or program malfunctions, or other errors, failures or delays in computer transmissions, the website, or network connections that are human or technical in nature.  Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process, the website, or the operation of the Sweepstakes or to be acting in violation of the Official Rules of this or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.  Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

10. Governing Law & Jurisdiction:  Except where prohibited by law, entrants agree that: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Sweepstakes or any prize awarded will be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action and exclusively by the appropriate court located in Washington, District of Columbia; (ii) any and all claims, judgments, and awards to entrants will be limited to actual out of pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with participating in this Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (iii) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental and consequential damages, and any other damages other than for actual out of pocket expense and any and all rights to have damages multiplies or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules or entrants’ and/or Promotion Parties’ rights and obligations in connection with the Sweepstakes are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, District of Columbia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules.

B. In the event of any conflict with any Sweepstakes details contained in these Official Rules and Sweepstakes details contained in Sweepstakes materials (including, but not limited to social media advertising and other promotion media), the details of the Sweepstakes as set forth in these Official Rules shall prevail.

12. Entrant's Personal Information:  Please see the privacy policy located at https://www.greenamerica.org/privacy-and-policy for details of Sponsor's policy regarding the use of personal information collected in connection with this Sweepstakes. If you are selected as a winner, your information may also be included in a publicly-available winner’s list.

13. Winner’s List: For a list of winners, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: 1612 K Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20006.  Please specify “Into the Weeds Winners List.”  Requests must be received by October 8, 2023.

This Sweepstakes is no way endorsed or sponsored by Instagram or Facebook (or by Meta Platforms, Inc.).  All questions should be directed to the Sponsor and not to Instagram or Meta.

Adamah Farm is a regenerative homestead located at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, CT. It consists of 20 acres of farm fields, orchards, and pasture. Per Adamah:

Adamah Farm is a living, dynamic Jewish community. But it’s truly for everyone. It takes a holistic approach to both its farming operations and its way of creating community. In addition to offering a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), they offer a 3-month educational fellowship where participants learn about the connection between Judaism and agriculture.

They demonstrate a commitment to social justice by offering their CSA on a sliding scale and allow people to purchase a share in installments, to ensure everyone has access to healthy foods.

Adamah’s vegetables and value-added products (e.g. sauerkraut, maple syrup, etc.) are certified organic, in compliance with USDA standards for organic foods, proving that they use zero manufactured chemicals or fertilizers. They go beyond the requirements of certification with regenerative practices that include:

Connecting with their Jewish Heritage

They know that their Jewish ancestors thought about the world in many of the ways we do now.  For example, how do we feed the world without draining the planet of its resources? They also observe Schmita, the practice of letting the land rest and repopulate once every seven years, however, not in the traditional way. It isn’t practical if the rest of the world doesn’t observe it as well. Instead, at any one time, 1/7 of their land is at rest.

Each day, over 100 pounds of food scraps are composted from the retreat center dining hall. The compost is sufficient for the whole farm and it feeds their 50 laying hens. This is one of the ways they engage visitors in their farming practices, in addition to education and using the produce grown on the farm to cook nutritious meals in the dining hall.

Food Sovereignty

Food access is important to those at Adamah Farm. They want to make good, nutritious food available to everyone, even to those with lower incomes. To do so, they created a Food Access Fund, which anyone can donate to, where they donate the amount of food covered by the funds raised to local food pantries; and the kitchen at the retreat center utilizes produce grown on the farm.

Social justice is core to their work, though they are not particularly concerned with labels. Their approach to social justice is through a framework of living in a Jewish community and food sovereignty—a food system in which the people who produce, distribute, and consume food also control the mechanisms and policies of food production and distribution. Growing in sustainable, responsible ways is important to them. And they believe there is a long way to go before all humans are treated equally, and that it’s the work of all of us to make that happen. Farming is an important part of that work.

To learn more about Adamah, visit their website.

Explore more Soil Superheroes here.

Salary:  $60,000 - $63,000 
Benefits: Excellent benefits including health care, dental care, paid leave, socially responsible retirement plan, friendly work environment, 4-day work week (32 hours/week)
Reports to:  Soil & Climate Alliance Director, Jessica Hulse Dillon

Green America is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a just and sustainable society by harnessing economic power for positive change. Our unique approach involves working with consumers, investors and businesses to create a world that works for all. We deploy marketplace solutions to solve the most pressing social justice and environmental problems facing society today.

Green America’s Center for Sustainability Solutions focuses on bringing together focused multi-stakeholder innovation networks with the objective of making significant, industry-wide system change.

Our Soil & Climate Alliance (SCA) is the Center’s innovation network focusing on regenerative agriculture.  SCA’s mission is to advance a resilient, equitable, and inclusive agriculture system that regenerates soil health, sequesters carbon, and revitalizes farm and rural economics, while improving water quality, biodiversity, food security, and nutrition.

We are seeking a dynamic program coordinator, with excellent project and stakeholder engagement skills to support SCA and all of the SCA working groups, including Nutrient Density, Policy & Advocacy, Supply Chain Development Groups, and Justice, Equity Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI).  Our Supply Chain Development Groups include Kansas Regenerative Wheat and Regenerative Transition for Plant Based Products.  

SCA team members can choose to work remotely or in our Washington, DC office. This position will involve occasional travel including to Network meetings, conferences and business cultivation meetings, staff training, Green America’s annual staff and board retreat and other stakeholder engagement meetings.  Most travel will be domestic, but there may be one or two international trips each year. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Communications & Research

• Support and engage in the development of key project deliverables, including preparing meeting materials and notes, compiling summary reports, and other outputs. Ensure that these deliverables are planned and produced in a timely manner with a high level of attention to detail.
• Keep members informed of upcoming member meetings and events via email, outlook calendar, Eventbrite, SharePoint, survey software, and event websites. Respond to member inquiries in a professional and timely manner.
• Support the full SCA team in the development and maintenance of social media accounts to share relevant information as needed.
• Quick turnaround on research projects focusing on urgent and emerging needs ranging from identifying specific experts and speakers for consideration by the team to specific current and historical data needed for decision making and advocacy as well as other developing needs.

Meeting Planning & Logistics

• Support logistics related to planning network meetings, roundtables, webinars and other related events for up to 150 participants held virtually, including: setting up registration systems and monitoring registration, communicating with meeting participants, and coordinating technology needs among participants.
• Support logistics related to planning in-person network meetings including securing meeting venues, hotels, meals, and staff transportation; communicating with event participants; procuring A/V and meeting materials; and ensuring many other aspects of event production are implemented flawlessly so meetings flow seamlessly for participants. Support full team in the execution of hybrid meetings.
• Support and engage in the development of meeting materials and event website including daily updates as the meeting progresses.
• Support the Directors and Program Manager in research and outreach for potential speakers and panelists. Assist with session development for virtual and in person meetings.
• Support team travel and logistics to other conferences and promotional events including but not limited to Natural Products Expo West and East.
• Manage and update the meeting budgets; keep Director apprised of budget status throughout the planning process.
• Manage invoicing process for generating and secure participation fees including: regular invoicing of participants, working with accounting department to create and send customized invoices, track payments, communicate with participants to secure commitments and maintain and update participant records. Coordinate with subsidized participants to process reimbursements.
• Coordinate regular communication among team members including scheduling regular meetings and supporting seamless technology connections as needed.
• Ensure that knowledge gained is converted into “knowledge capital” for the Center for Sustainability Solutions by documenting work processes involved in managing Innovation Networks and successful strategies.
• Provide operational support to the Center for Sustainability Solutions, as needed. Assist where needed in hosting working group sessions that involve industry stakeholders across the spectrum of Regenerative Agriculture, from policy to regulatory to consumer spaces.

Cross-Departmental Teams

• Participate in Green America staff meetings and processes and other duties as required.
• Participate in Green America Cross Departmental Teams: The success of our organizational work includes the voluntary participation of staff members from all levels of the organization in cross departmental teams addressing a range of issues to strengthen our impact and planning, as time and other work commitments allow.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated project management skills, with experience managing several projects simultaneously.
• A passion for and strong knowledge of environmental sustainability and/or agriculture.
• Written communication and research experience; able to take notes during calls including technical content.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Strong technology skills, including videoconferencing via zoom, Square Space, newsletter email software, outlook, etc.
• Background researching event related needs, including venues, restaurants and catering, and AV needs.
• Experience with creating and tracking event budgets a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

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

How to Apply

To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to mbouffard-briglia@greenamerica.org by September 13, 2023.

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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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Check out more gardening resources here.

He’s called the “Transformpreneur℠” and he’s here to make your business and endeavors thrive. With Going Beyond Sustainability, having a business or project be both profitable and good for the planet—in ways you’ve never considered—is the goal. 

Shel Horowitz, the “Transformpreneur℠” himself, grew up an activist, not a businessman. Yet, with no relevant experience and almost no capital, he started his own business at age 24. 

His mom volunteered for the Urban League, an advocacy group working for Black Americans and other underserved urban residents to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. The political landscape was a familiar one to Horowitz. He went to his first political rally in 1969, for peace in Vietnam, when he was just shy of 13 and listened to activists speak, altering the course of his life. 

“My first awareness of the power of consumers to affect business was the United Farm Workers grape boycott in the late 1960s, early ‘70s.” 

Horowitz’s professional life settled in marketing, but he remained an activist over the years, until, after founding a successful movement to protect a local mountain that used all his marketing skills as well as his activist background, the idea came to him to combine the two. 

He realized the potential impact businesses could have on progress and change in the world, from the climate crisis to poverty and beyond. 

“This is good for business. Business does well when it builds on ethical support systems,” Horowitz explains. 

Going Beyond Sustainability is a one-stop shop, offering services beyond marketing and consulting, from speaking engagements to trainings on topics like employee engagement in social change and business organization. 

One of the core tenets of his business as a marketing consultant is that best practices change—just because businesses have operated one way regarding sustainability and ethics doesn’t mean it’s the best way to operate. 

A technique he practices with clients adheres to this way of thinking: guerrilla marketing. 

The author Jay Conrad Levinson coined the team in 1984 with his book Guerrilla Marketing. This approach to marketing borrows from its namesake of “guerrilla” warfare to communicate with audiences through the element of surprise.  

A famed example of guerrilla marketing was 1967 when activist Abbie Hoffman led a group into the New York Stock Exchange and threw dollar bills from the visitors’ gallery onto the floor, interrupting trading and garnering numerous headlines.

Horowitz practices guerrilla marketing in his consulting and even co-wrote two books with Levinson, Guerrilla Marketing to Heal the World and its predecessor, Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green. 

“Heal-the-world guerrilla marketing sharpens the focus to look at how a business can profit as it actually improves our physical and social environment—and how to tell your green/social equity story so effectively that the world begins to seek you out,” Horowitz writes on his website. 

That’s the goal, a cyclical process benefitting both businesses and consumers. And the stats don’t lie—a 2023 survey showed up to two-thirds of consumers will pay more for sustainability. By giving consumers what they want, i.e., products and services that benefit the planet, businesses engender loyalty and profitability. 

Horowitz knows this work can be hard, frustrating, and oftentimes demoralizing—something as great as bettering the world will always have setbacks, but the important thing is that we try.  

Sometimes the needle will only move a fraction, but if it doesn’t move at all, or moves backwards, progress will always remain out of reach. And by showing business how building environmental and social justice into core products, services, and company mindsets can be profitable, Horowitz has created a platform to influence the business community to move the needle faster and farther. 

Horowitz has several freebies available to Green America readers. And for Green America members, instead of the 15-minute freebie consultation on how your particular business can combine profitability with environmental and social good, Horowitz will offer a full half-hour at no charge. 

Note: This blog is a crossposted blog from Green Business member Beneficial State Bank.

Founded with impact in mind

In 2007, Beneficial State Bank co-founders Kat Taylor and Tom Steyer set out to design a new kind of community bank. Rather than serving the single bottom line of profit, as do most traditional businesses, we equally prioritize the three goals of:

• Serving our communities (people),
• Supporting positive environmental outcomes (planet), and
• Achieving long-term financial sustainability (prosperity).

Today, we practice Beneficial Banking™, in harmony with nature, to help more people and help people more.

Partnerships that deepen our impact

We believe that collective efforts are required to make the planet healthy and livable for the next generation. We are proud to be part of the Green Business Network, the first, largest, and most diverse network of socially and environmentally responsible businesses in the country. The Green Business Network is a program of our client Green America®, the nation's leading nonprofit organization working to build a green and just economy. The Green Business Network Member Directory showcases hundreds of businesses that have a shared goal of positive environmental impact.

Green Business Network members can apply for certification in more than 40 industries (included with membership). Only certified members are listed in the Green Pages, a place for consumers to look for products and services. By leveraging third-party certifications and benchmarking models, we ensure our positive impact is significant, meaningful, and measurable. We report our impact annually to demonstrate that we walk our talk and ensure we meet the highest banking and business standards.

Banking that nurtures the planet

Beneficial State Bank is one of the leaders of a growing movement toward more ethical and inclusive banking. We are committed to running our business in a sustainable way, but we don’t maximize profits at the expense of our customers, our communities, or the planet.

We are proud to be part of the Green Business Network and encourage other businesses and financial institutions to join us.

We need a new economy built for all of us. We vote every day with our choices, our voices, and our wallets. By casting our collective votes for better banking, we are making our vision a reality. When you bank with Beneficial State Bank, your deposits support a lending practice that serves our communities and the planet.

A survey from Green America found that 89% of US consumers want retailers to offer both print receipts and digital receipts sent via email. With that in mind, you might want to purchase a receipt printer and printing paper. This way, you can give shoppers the proof of purchase they prefer. 

Creating receipts also generates more than 4 billion pounds of carbon dioxide pollution, which greatly contributes to the overheating of our planet, reported the L.A. Times, citing a study by advocacy group Green America.

As one hemisphere prepares for the chill of winter and the other swaps coats for bathing suits, it’s time to look at how you use energy in your home.

How we use energy at home is a major factor in the fight against climate change. The residential sector accounts for roughly a fifth of the total energy usage in the US, with more than half of that used for heating and cooling, and using traditional systems, greenhouse gases are a significant problem.

It may seem like your single home won’t have a big impact, but the more people commit to energy efficiency, the more power we have to combat the rapid warming of our planet.

You’ve Heard of Solar…

Once, the idea of solar-powered energy systems seemed cutting edge, but it has become more common and affordable in addition to reliable and efficient.

According to the US Department of Energy, “The amount of sunlight that strikes the earth’s surface in an hour and a half is enough to handle the entire world’s energy consumption for a full year.”

The energy from solar can generate electricity, be stored in batteries, and/or heats a home’s hot water, all while reducing carbon in our atmosphere and, in the long run, saving you money.

You might be surprised to learn when the first solar panels in the United States appeared—1884, on a New York City rooftop. More than a century later, it’s easier than ever to get solar installed.

According to the Center for Sustainable Energy, residential solar panel systems run from $15,000 to $25,000. Those are big numbers, but there are multiple ways to invest in and benefit from solar at more affordable prices.

Whether you live in a home you own, rent an apartment, or somewhere in between, you can benefit from solar and this guide will help you do that.

Now, Try Heat Pumps

Solar and wind aren’t the only games in town providing sustainable energy.

Heat pumps are a great option on the market and are increasingly popular.

Even better, they can work with your electricity-generating solar panels to make your home the über-sustainable residence.

Using sustainably sourced electricity, heat pumps transfer heat collected from air, ground, or water outside the home to both warm and cool your home. The key here is that heat pumps don’t generate energy, they simply move already existing energy from one space to another. Heat pumps work best in warmer climates where winters are mild; for cold climates, you’ll want a dual heat pump, which relies on gas furnaces on particularly cold days.

There are several types of heat pumps, depending on which element you draw from, how much you’re willing to spend, and the size of your property. You can contact your local home improvement or heating/air companies or hire a local contractor. When researching contractors, look for accreditations like North American Technician Excellence or HVAC Excellence.

Air-to-air heat pumps are smaller and more affordable options, typically ranging from $3,500 to $7,500. It’s also an easier option if you already have ducts in your home. By simply transferring air between your home and outside, taking heat from a cool space and moving it to a warm place, you’ll save on energy bills in the long run.

Or you can go with a geothermal heat pump. This system transfers heat from ground and water sources near your home, benefiting from more consistent temperatures than outside air. Geothermal pumps cost more—between $6,000 and upwards of $30,000. They're also a bigger spatial commitment and the installation will tear up your yard.

The benefits of both options are big.

According to the Energy Department’s guide on heat pumps, geothermal ones “can reduce energy use by 30%-60%, control humidity, are sturdy and reliable, and fit in a wide variety of homes” and air systems result in 50% energy reduction. And they’ll last for over a decade with minimal maintenance.

An Energy Efficient Home Wins with the Inflation Reduction Act

Solar panels and heat pumps are now more accessible than ever, thanks to President Biden’s signing of the Inflation Reduction Act. Here’s what to look forward to:

30% annual tax credit for certain energy efficient home improvements, such as doors, windows, roofing, etc.
100% credit for installation of energy-efficient water heaters, heat pumps, central air conditioning systems, etc. with a $1,200 annual limit.

30% credit for installing qualifying systems that use solar, wind, geothermal, biomass or fuel cell power to produce electricity, heat water or regulate temperature.

Rebates for low- and middle-income families who purchase energy-efficient electric appliances, including $8,000 for a heat pump.

No Matter the Structure, Make Your Home Efficient

Though this type of infrastructure should be government-provided in the efforts to fight climate change, progress is often slower than we’d like, and bigger and costlier projects like these won’t work for everyone.

For those that can realistically get solar panels or a heat pump, they’re both great investments—for everyone else, you can still do your part through smaller choices like lightbulbs and composting bins, or if you rent, engage with your landlord about purchasing solar or join a community solar project.

Whether you’re a college student, newly minted graduate, or relatively fresh addition to the work world, finances are likely top of mind. If money management feels overwhelming, know you’re not alone: The Investopedia Financial Literacy Study found only 46% of Generation Z (ages 18 to 25) is confident about their financial understanding.

Luckily, many great resources—many a simple web search away—exist to help you feel financially on track. Learn how you can lay the groundwork now for a more secure and sustainable financial life.

Start with the Basics.

To build financial confidence, pick up the lingo. Boosting your financial literacy will not only strengthen decisions you make down the line, but help you resist bad money moves now.

The Financial Literacy Study indicates that Gen Z leans on technology to deepen their knowledge of all things money. Mix financial tips into your feeds by following One Big Happy Life, The Financial Diet, and Nate O’Brien on YouTube and @pariibafna, @pricelesstay, and @seth.godwin on TikTok. For a list of fundamentals, check out “The Ultimate Guide to Financial Literacy” by Investopedia.

And when you’re comfortable with the basics, start thinking about the long-term impact of your dollars. Read about socially responsible investing online via Athens Impact and Hansen's Advisory Services, Inc.

Racial justice through finance is a burgeoning topic with lots of resources from Adasina Social Capital. Green America's Guide to Socially Responsible Investing and Better Banking has articles for people from beginners to advanced on banking and investing topics.

Pick a Bank That Supports Your Values.

Steer clear of corporate mega-banks. Instead, seek out a nonprofit credit union or community investing bank, where you may find lower fees and more personalized customer service. According to NerdWallet, credit unions often boast better savings rates. They may also offer special account perks for students, like no minimum balance and no maintenance or overdraft fees.

Ditching mega-banks can also steer your money toward green solutions and communal good. While many conventional big banks propel environmental damage (for example, by supporting fossil-fuel expansion), credit unions and community investing banks pursue local impact by expanding economic opportunity.

Don’t Miss Out on Financial Aid.

Financial aid is awarded to more than 83% of first-year undergraduates enrolling for the first time, the Education Data Initiative reports. So, your chances are good! Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the annual deadline to be considered for loans, which require repayment; grants, which don’t; and work-study eligibility. Apply for external scholarships and report previously satisfied course credit to save even more dough.

In Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties, author Beth Kobliner urges readers to “pay off…high-rate loans” with available savings before heavy accrual kicks in. Meet with your financial-aid provider to pick the appropriate payment plan for you.

Budget, Budget, Budget!

Keeping track of your assets and setting spending limits can feel daunting. “I try to budget, but it's hard to remember what my budgets are if I'm not constantly looking at them,” says Michelle Ott, a 24-year-old graduate student. The good news? There’s an app for that! Mint, Goodbudget, and similar software analyze money flow and visualize your budget (so you don’t have to).

A useful framework to follow is the 50-30-20 rule. To the best of your ability, commit about half of your post-tax earnings to “needs,” 30% (or less) to “wants,” and 20% to savings. Still, given sky-high rent and grocery costs, this method may feel more ideal than attainable for many. To set more young Americans up for financial success, systemic change is necessary.

For the most accurate read on your spending habits, CNBC finance correspondent Sharon Epperson suggests ditching money-transfer applications like PayPal and Venmo for a few months. Without blind spots on your transaction history, you can better determine how much you’re sinking into what.

Be a Smart Spender.

Honor the value of your dollars—and the planet—by saying no to waste. Did you know Americans collectively dispose of hundreds of thousands of dollars in food each year, per a Pennsylvania State University study?

Researchers found that a typical household’s food-waste rate hovers around 30%. Purchase only what you need and keep stock of perishables. Resist impulse buys that could also end up trashed later.

As for “must haves,” shop secondhand and look for student groups that help connect people with necessities. Drive down your community’s net waste and find reduced prices along the way. And don't forget to flash your student ID to claim student discounts.

Optimize your Credit.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s National Financial Capability Study, the majority of Americans don’t weigh options when obtaining a credit card. This is problematic, as selecting the right card takes effort.

Request bank recommendations, ask if student cards are available, and review everything from interest rates to spending thresholds on each.

Once you receive your card, sidestep interest by spending within your means and paying back what you owe monthly. You'll want to maintain a healthy credit score, too. To elevate your score, meet bill due dates (Kobliner endorses autopay) and—as Epperson recommends—cap spending at 10% of your credit limit, if you can.

Prepare for Emergencies.

Securing health insurance, Kobliner writes, “should be…your number one financial priority.” If a medical emergency hits, it could spare your savings.

To take financial security a step further, establish an emergency savings fund. Investopedia proposes stashing roughly “three to six months’ worth of expenses,” and Kobliner advocates for automatic savings plans.

Putting Your Financial Knowledge to Work.

Managing money effectively requires planning with intention, engaging institutions you trust, and asking questions as they arise. But while financial practices like budgeting and saving are critical, it's not realistic to expect to out-strategize a system built to benefit people with preexisting wealth.

Pets make loyal companions, at your side through all seasons of life. But can they accompany you on the path toward a greener existence?

Yes! Taking steps toward sustainability now can make miles of a difference in the long run. First, adopt—don’t shop, and spay or neuter your pets.

Below, we answer common questions about eco-friendly pet ownership.

How should I handle waste?

Pick up after your pooch—even in your yard. Pet waste, if not properly disposed of, can threaten public health by wandering into waterways.

One approach is to bag and trash the doo. DC’s Department of Energy & Environment recommends “reusing old bread, produce, or newspaper bags.” While tossing biodegradable bags may sound greener, if they are headed for a landfill, they’ll get cut off from the oxygen they need to break down properly.

If you have the time and means, “a much better solution is to compost,” veterinarian Richard Pitcairn writes in Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats. Karl Schrass, founder of Annapolis Compost, agrees it’s feasible, but safety must come first. Seek expert advice on properly composting dog waste. Don’t “use that compost on plants that you will be eating,” Schrass warns. Pitcairn also suggests septic-style digesters like Doggie Dooley.

As for cat waste, some compostable litters do exist, but start by transitioning away from common materials like clay, which is sourced through strip mining, sustainability site Treehugger explains, and does not decompose.

Line cat boxes with bio-friendly corn, grass-seed, or walnut litter instead. If not composting with expert oversight, seal and trash used litter in a brown paper bag. It should not be composted normally because the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis is sometimes present in cat feces.

Can I make my pets greener eaters?

A 2017 UCLA study found cat and dog food is responsible for a quarter to a third of the environmental impact of meat consumption in the US. Churning out animal products—including resource-intensive pet food—strains Mother Nature. But is turning your pet vegan a safe solution?

For Pitcairn, the answer is (usually) yes. “For dogs, it is not only possible to eat much lower on the food chain, it’s a good idea,” he writes. He mentions Bramble, the collie whose intake of lentils, vegetables, and brown rice—among other vegan foods—helped her hit 25 years.

With cats, some maintain that a part-meat, part-plant diet is choice. But Pitcairn takes a different view, claiming that vegan diets designed to include synthetic supplemental nutrients can suit between 60% to 85% of felines.

Check out Animal Essentials treats and supplements. Remember: dietary switches require veterinary oversight.

Are there environmentally friendly toys?

According to an Integrative and Comparative Biology study, the majority of pet-care commodities involve single-use plastics. And given that America’s pet-product industry raked in nearly $100 billion last year, these goods definitely propel plastic overflow.

Cut down trash by curating your toy stash thoughtfully. Prioritize durable, plastic-free, and upcycled items.

Check out P.L.A.Y. and Purrfectplay for your toy and accessory needs.

What about bugs?

Disconcertingly, many EPA-approved pet pesticides contain perilous ingredients, according to the National Resources Defense Council. Products can stoke brain, organ, skin, or stomach issues. Plus, Pitcairn reminds us, toxins bleed into our biosphere.

Pitcairn endorses “nontoxic options for flea control, body care, and other household products.” Try Wondercide‘s natural flea and tick sprays and collars.

Leave only paw prints

Join other Green Americans in working toward eco-friendly pet ownership. Cutting back on plastic and toxic products not only benefits the earth but positions your pet to lead a healthier and happier life.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the wedding industry’s commitment to sustainability.

According to a 2017 Stanford Mag article, the average carbon footprint of an American wedding is 56 tons. In 2022 alone, 2.5 million weddings are expected to take place, producing 140 million tons of emissions.

Don’t panic–your day can be glamorous without harming the planet.

Cheers to Catering

One of the worst offenders of wedding waste is catering. In 2017, UK supermarket Sainsburys found a tenth of all wedding food is thrown away and a fifth of guests said they didn’t eat the late-night reception food.

Ahead of the big day, research organizations to compost or donate leftovers, like FoodCycle in LA or the nationwide Food Recovery Network.

It’s also good to think about sustainable food and dishware options.

If you splurge on local and organic catering, you’ll avoid pesticides and transportation costs. If you’re in the DC metro area, try Green Plate Catering. Picking a seasonal menu will also support local farmers.

When sipping the signature cocktail or eating that vegetarian ceviche, don’t use plastic dishware. Consider, instead, renting or thrifting dishware. There are rental companies across the country, with pieces ranging from .50 cents to several dollars.

Be careful if you want to use crystal glassware. Bonnie Gringer, founder of the secondhand shop Share the Lovely, told Insider that such antiques “were likely made using outdated safety standards” and could contain harmful substances like lead.

Say “I Do” in a Thrifted Outfit

Looking and feeling your best is one of the great joys of a wedding, whether your own or someone else’s. And you don’t need a brand new outfit—someone’s something old can be your something new.

Whether it’s a dress, suit, or bell-bottomed disco jumpsuit, try giving an outfit another life. Thrift or buy/rent from one of the many secondhand sites like StillWhite and Rent The Runway. Want to try your outfit on first? Look for consignment bridal stores like Something Bridal in Oklahoma.

If you buy something new, consider a sustainable clothing company and donate your outfit after the big day.
The same goes for your guests. Instead of a strict dress code, encourage your guests to thrift or re-wear what makes them feel fabulous.

Yes, You Can Be a Flower Child!

Florals are a staple of weddings and, unfortunately, terrible for the environment. Arranged florals pollute the planet through greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and refrigerants. In 2018 alone, the International Council on Clean Transportation found that flying imported roses into the US emitted 360,000 metric tons of CO2.

When it comes to decorating, consider alternatives, like DIY décor; from flowers made of recycled paper to bouquets made out of book pages, and potted plants guests can take home.

If you want a more traditional floral display, work with a sustainable florist like New York-based Good Old Days Florist and ask about re-using products from another recent event. You can also donate florals to hospitals, assisted living facilities, and places of worship after.

The Theme Is: Sustainability

Details make your wedding feel unequivocally yours. Don’t forget to go green with the little things amid everything else:

No rice, glitter, or confetti—they're difficult to clean up, potentially harmful to local wildlife, and often not biodegradable. If you need to make it rain, hole-punch some leaves for nature’s confetti!

Swap the stationery for e-invites and online RSVPs or print on recycled paper.

Ditch the plastic favors for something edible, or let guests take home the décor.

Include a charity on your registry.

Your big day is a celebration of love. Use these tips to show your love in a sustainable way.

What about Rings?

Classic, romantic, and timeless—like the love you share with your person. That’s what wedding rings are all about! Finding a ring that symbolizes your love without harming the planet isn’t as tough as you might think.

Recycled gems: Finding recycled gems prevents the need for further mining. Ask your jeweler if they have “reclaimed” and “recycled” gems, or search antique, vintage, and estate sales.

Recycled gold: Whether yellow, white, or rose, opt for recycled. Like recycled gems, recycled gold is simply gold from other jewelry remelted into the perfect ring. There’s also recycled platinum, titanium, and sterling silver, if gold is not for you.

Family heirlooms: Why purchase a ring when there’s a beautiful heirloom in the family? This is a planet-friendly—and sentimental—way of sharing your love by declaring it with a ring passed down to you. If you don’t have a family heirloom, visit antique and vintage stores.

Wood rings: Unique and beautiful, wood rings speak volumes of your love for your person and the planet. Naturaleza Organic Jewelry makes custom wood rings from foraged wood, recycled metals, and unique gems.

“From family heirlooms, to trees in a yard, to reclaimed Bourbon barrels from Kentucky, trees and their wood have a lot of meaning and symbolism in our lives,” says Amy Shelton, who co-owns Naturaleza with her husband Marlon Obando Solano. “We welcome our customers to provide wood or other materials that are meaningful to them to create their custom wedding rings.”

Naturaleza also invests in reforestation projects in Nicaragua to combat climate change, rooting your ring in stewardship of the Earth.

The Dirty Diamond

Some people prefer the classic diamond, but there are some important things to look out for. Mined diamonds are responsible for erosion, dangerous working conditions, and human rights abuses. The most infamous of gems are “blood diamonds,” called that because they financed civil wars in African countries, where many minerals are mined. Fortunately, blood diamonds are rarely in the market nowadays after the 2006 movie Blood Diamond shined a light on these atrocities.

When searching for rings with diamonds, the keywords to look for are “conflict-free,” “recycled,” and “vintage” diamonds, which means your purchase will not finance a war. Lab-grown diamonds are indistinguishable from a mined diamond—but many are made using high-pressure, high-temperature technology run on fossil fuels. New technology has made it possible to create diamonds from extracting CO2 in the air, and some companies are using renewable energy to fuel this process, reducing the overall impact. The best option of all is used and recycled diamonds, which require no further energy to grow or mine. When purchasing, it’s always good practice to email or call the company to verify its claims and ensure it is not greenwashing.

Regardless of what ring you choose, aim for one that is good for people and the planet as well as your loved one.

As children, it almost felt like a punishment—receiving a wrinkled shopping bag of haphazardly folded hand-me-downs from distant cousins or…don’t even say it… older brothers. But now, as retro trends are dominating the fashion scene, grandma’s closet might be a goldmine.

When 74% of consumers say that secondhand apparel is more socially acceptable—and even braggable—than it was five years ago (according to thredUP’s 2022 Resale Report), sporting lightly loved fashion is undoubtedly having a renaissance. And while we love the circular economy of donating and thrifting, just because you want to wear secondhand doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Instead, shop in the closets of friends and family! On average, people tend to wear only half of their closet, so why not do a clothing swap and let someone else rock the things that you've outgrown?

To help kickstart a kind of circular closet economy, try out our vintage scavenger hunt and seek out these 70s, 80s, and 90s trends that are back in high style and just waiting to be found and flaunted.

Bells: Whether they’re bell-bottom jeans or bell-sleeved blouses, you can’t help but groove with bells on.

Platform Boots: Boots are no longer reserved just for winter months, especially when they come with a few extra stylish inches. And white boots? They’re good to go-go.

Corduroy: Jackets, pants, skirts, even hats—the soft-to-the-touch grooves of corduroy are back in style all year round.

Crochet: From halter tops and sweaters to skirts and vests, the world is telling us to crochet every-which-way.

Tinted Glasses: Indoors, outdoors, all year long, tinted sunglasses shout stylishly mysterious.

Puffs and Ruffs: From shoulder pads to puffy sleeves and ruffled fabric, textured blouses and blazers are back.

Belt Bag/Bum Bag/Fanny Pack: Call them what you will, but the brilliance of hands-free fanny packs has rightfully enlightened another generation.

Bike Shorts: In honor of the ever-popular fashion icon, celebrate Princess Di’s iconic style with the retro high-waisted bike shorts and oversized sweatshirt combination.

Power Suits: This comeback trend has been around for a while, but that doesn’t mean that your old power suits are behind the curve.

Bomber Jackets: The incomparable sheen and puff of bomber jackets are practical statement pieces that really never seem to slip from the spotlight.

Scrunchies: The bolder and bigger the better these days to tie a whole outfit together.

Button Downs: Business blouses, casual tops, cardigan sweaters—pullovers are out and button downs are in.

Overalls: They come with pants, shorts, and skirts, single clasp and double, wear over camisoles, T-shirts, or turtlenecks—the options are endless!

Bucket Hats and Bandanas: For blocking the sun’s rays or tying back those fly-aways, 80s headgear is still functional and fashionable.

Cargo Pants: Simply said—can you ever have too many pockets?

In a world of fast fashion that screams, “New is always better,” just remember that what goes around comes around… and around and around again, and hand-me-downs are up-and-coming.

Green America’s Skip the Slip campaign has inspired a proposed Skip the Slip law in California that is making its way through the legislature! Assemblymember Phil Ting (D- San Francisco) is sponsoring the legislation that gives customers the option of getting a non-toxic paper receipt, getting an e-receipt, or getting no receipt at all at most businesses in the state.

The bill has passed the Assembly and the Senate Judiciary and Environmental Quality Committees, and next it heads to the Appropriations Committee. We’re working with allies in California to make sure it gets to the Senate floor and then becomes law.

Assemblymember Ting was inspired by our campaign Skip the Slip and originally introduced a bill in 2019. After listening to the input of businesses and consumers, the bill is back. Thanks to all of you who have taken action on this campaign and look for more updates and action alerts soon.

Learn more about our Skip the Slip campaign.

An HEV is an excellent avenue to better fuel economy if you want to keep things simple and less expensive at the point of purchase. Green America says the improvement over an ICE alone, on average, is somewhere between 20% and 35%. On the other hand, if you are willing to spend more for the purchase and deal with plug-in recharging to obtain up to 20-30 miles of electric-only travel each day, a PHEV is for you. In either case, a hybrid will save on gasoline.

We manufacture compostable foodservice and packaging products and give 25% of our profits to social and environmental organizations to further their work in creating a better world.

Leading Green Economy Group Defends Freedom to Invest Responsibly, Offers Data and “Foundational Truths” Ignored in Highly Politicized GOP Report.

WASHINGTON, DC – July 12, 2023 – This morning, the House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices at 10 a.m. Today’s hearing is the first of a series of hearings scheduled for July designed to attack ESG investing and shareholder proxy voting on political grounds.

Green America is the nation’s leading green economy organization with 300,000 individual members and supporters as well as nearly 2,000 companies in its Green Business Network and has educated the public on responsible investing for 40 years.

In anticipation of the hearing, and in response to the preliminary report attacking ESG by the Republican ESG Working Group, Green America submitted a letter for the record to Members of the Committee supporting ESG investing and shareholder proxy voting, backed by real data.

Cathy Cowan Becker, Responsible Finance Campaign Director at Green America, said in the letter:

We would like to challenge several underlying assumptions in this report and other memos from the majority, and clarify several important foundational truths:

• ESG performance is on par or better than conventional investing, especially in the long term.
• Environmental, social, and governance considerations are material and pecuniary, not political.
• The shareholder proxy voting process gives retail investors a critical voice in corporate governance, and reforms suggested by the majority would stifle, not promote, that voice.

Multiple research studies show that returns on socially responsible investing are on par or better than investing not based on ESG principles, especially over the long term. For example:

• According to Morningstar’s 2022 Sustainable Funds US Landscape Report, most sustainable funds delivered stronger total and risk-adjusted returns than their respective Morningstar Category indexes. Over half of sustainable funds finished in the top half of their Morningstar Category, led by equity funds. Data for the previous five years showed even better results – the returns of 74 percent or sustainable funds ranked in the top half and 49 percent in the top quartile of returns.

• In 2021, the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing released a study, Sustainable Funds Outperform Peers during 2020 Coronavirus. The Institute found that in a year of extreme volatility and recession, funds focused on “on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, across both stocks and bonds, weathered the year better than non-ESG portfolios.” The research analyzed more than 3,000 US mutual funds and ETFs, finding that sustainable equity funds outperformed non-ESG peer funds by a median of 4.3 percent in 2020.

• The NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business released a 2021 meta study, ESG and Financial Performance: Uncovering the Relationship by Aggregating 1,000 Plus Studies Published between 2015-2020. The report found that 59 percent of studies showed that ESG investments had a similar or better performance relative to conventional investment approaches, while only 14 percent found negative results. It also concluded that “ESG investing appears to provide downside protection, especially during social or economic crises.” “Using ESG principles to help inform investing is not a breach of fiduciary duty. On the contrary, not taking all factors related to risk and opportunity into account can be seen as a breach of fiduciary duty. Individual, institutional, and public asset managers should be free to consider all information when making critical investment decisions. This is how the free market works. It is not the role of government on the federal or state level to tell asset managers how to manage investments for their clients.”

Regarding specific claims made by the ESG Working Group’s preliminary report, Becker added:

Shareholder proposals are not a significant burden for public companies.

The only mandatory cost under the shareholder proposal rule is for the company to publish a proposal of up to 500 words on its proxy ballot. All other spending is discretionary, and almost all shareholder proposals are non-binding. The board does not have to do anything in response to a proposal.

Shareholder proposals constitute a small percentage of overall proxy votes each year. According to the Council of Institutional Investors, most public companies do not receive any shareholder proposals. On average, 13% of Russell 3000 companies received a shareholder proposal in a particular year between 2004 and 2017. In other words, the average Russell 3000 company receives a shareholder proposal once every 7.7 years. For companies that receive a shareholder proposal, the median number is one per year.

Raising thresholds for ownership and resubmission would squash the voice of small investors.

Currently, in order to file a shareholder resolution at a given company, a person must have owned at least $2,000 of company securities for at least one year. The working group proposes raising that threshold to continuous ownership of at least $2,000 of the company’s securities for at least three years; continuous ownership of at least $15,000 of the company’s securities for at least two years; or continuous ownership of at least $25,000 of the company’s securities for at least one year.

Such revisions would hamper the participation of small and diverse investors in the shareholder resolution process. These smaller investors can have a great impact on corporate practice. According to data compiled by the Sustainable Investments Institute, 176 resolutions on social and environmental topics came to a vote at U.S. companies in 2019. Many were filed by investors with small ownership thresholds. The proposals received an average of 25.5% support, demonstrating that proposals of interest to a large portion of a company’s shareholder base can originate with smaller investors.

Likewise, the working group proposes raising the voting thresholds needed to resubmit a shareholder resolution from 3%, 6% and 10% in the first, second and third year respectively, to a vote of 5%, 15%, and 25% in order to resubmit a shareholder resolution the following year. Again this would squash the voice of small and diverse investors, especially as concerns emerging issues.

In some cases, it can take years for issues such as climate risks, human rights assessments, and governance reforms to be recognized as important to a company’s returns. Through long-term investor engagement and education, corporate boards and shareholders often eventually do adopt proposals that had less support at first but are now seen as best practices.

In 2020, the SEC raised ownership and resubmission thresholds to respond to pressure from corporate trade associations, presenting significant hurdles to filing and resubmitting shareholder proposals. Raising these thresholds again would shut out small investors and leave emerging issues unaddressed.

Proxy advisory firms do not wield excessive influence over investors.

Many pension funds and other institutional investors review research and recommendations from proxy advisors but vote according to their own guidelines and policies. According to proxy advisor ISS, 85% of its top 100 clients use a custom voting policy.

Institutional investors do not “robo vote” proxy advisor recommendations. An NYU-UPenn study finds that the impact of recommendations by ISS is significantly reduced when company-specific factors are taken into account. The proposed curbs on proxy advisors could undermine the voice of investors by limiting the information available and further tilting votes on key proposals in favor of management.

To speak with a representative of Green America, contact Max Karlin at (703) 276-3255 or mkarlin@hastingsgroupmedia.com.

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

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the experiences and achievements and honor the history and struggles of the disability community. It is a group that anyone could find themselves joining at any moment in time, due to birth, illness, or accident, and yet people with disabilities have been historically marginalized, underestimated, and underserved.

July was chosen as disability pride month as it marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which passed in 1990 and was a landmark civil rights law meant to prohibit discrimination and make sure those with disabilities have the same rights and access as those without. Disability Pride Month celebrates people like Judy Heumann, the “mother of the disability rights movement” who was the first wheelchair user to teach in the state of New York and helped develop legislation to improve inclusion and access for disabled people around the world, including the ADA. Another champion, Alice Wong, is the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, which collects oral histories of people with disabilities in the US. She edited a moving book of first-person stories told by people with a wide range of disabilities called Disability Visibility.

There is so much work left to be done to fully include, and create access and equity for, the estimated 27% percent of Americans who live with disabilities, including those affecting mobility, cognition, hearing, vision, and independent living, according to the CDC. Reading (or hearing, or watching) stories about the experiences of people with disabilities can help those without to understand what barriers people with disabilities face and aim to build a society that can truly work for everyone.

To help enhance your celebration with content you can use all year long, Green America is pleased to share Disability Pride Month resources that highlight accomplishments and the justice still needed related to disability and our work with 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, equitable, and inclusive society.

Image used above is the Disability Pride Flag, designed by Ann Magill.

Holiday Background & Social Justice:

What is Disability Pride ? / What is Disability Pride Video

Why and how to Celebrate Disability Pride Month 2023

Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally

Disability Pride Flag Meaning

Why Disability Justice is Crucial for Liberation

When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a Chair: (Book)

British Vogue Magazine: Nothing Is More Fashionable than Visibility

Economy:

Economic Justice Is Disability Justice

(Video: Audio Described) Economic justice & disability, ft Dessa Cosma, Detroit Disability Power

Podcast: Understanding An Intersectional Framework of Economic Justice for People Living With Disabilities

Environment:

Why environmental justice research needs to include disability

Indigenous People With Disabilities Are on the Front Lines of the Climate Crisis

Disability Rights Is a Climate Justice Issue. Here’s Why.

Video: Environmental Justice and Disability with Pauline Castres

In Person Events:

Disability Parade, Chicago (July 22^nd)

Pop- Up Shop supporting Disabled -Owned Businesses (DC)  (July 15^th)

Disability UNITE (In-Person & Virtual Event, July 16^th)

Virtual Events:

Documentary: "Neurotypical" (July 24)

Virtual Teen Comics Chat - Disability Pride Month and Summer (July 27)

Disability UNITE (In-Person & Virtual Event, July 16^th)

There has been a steady rise in pesticide use across all cocoa producing countries from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to Indonesia.

Alarmingly, children have been exposed to agrichemicals at a similar increased rate from 5% in 2008 to 24% in 2019. Yet, it is entirely possible and desirable to have a world without hazardous agrichemical with certified organic cocoa.  

Pesticide Harm

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Achieving Traceability

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Pesticide Exportation

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Cocoa-growing regions around the world are experiencing dangerous levels of deforestation.

Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are two of the largest cocoa producing countries. Over the past 30 years, Ghana is estimated to have lost 80% of its forest cover, while Côte d’Ivoire has lost around 94% of its forests.  

Ending Deforestation

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Achieving Traceability

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Promoting Agroforestry

Learn More

WASHINGTON, DC — JUNE 21, 2023 — Green America is proud to announce Dr. LaKeisha “Keisha” Thorpe as its new executive co-director for culture, planning & green business development. Dr. Thorpe brings a wealth of experience that promises to help take Green America’s operations and green economy programs to the next level.  

Dr. Thorpe’s doctoral dissertation focused on food and culture, she’s served on the board and executive board of the Bethlehem Food Co-op in Pennsylvania, and she’s always made justice and equity a major focus in her work. She has served in JEDI leadership roles at four colleges and universities, most recently, Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, creating better campus experiences for students, faculty, and staff. 

Dr. Thorpe also brings some 16 years of experience in human resources, fundraising, and public education to Green America. 

“Keisha’s brilliant strategic thinking, heart-centered organizing and deep experience in justice, equity and inclusion will create continuity from Green America’s current work and a bridge to our future,” said Alisa Gravitz, president and CEO of Green America. 

“The gratitude and excitement I feel at joining Green America are immeasurable. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work in tandem with folks who consider JEDI work not only a necessity, but a norm,” said Dr. Thorpe. “I cherish the work surrounding sustainability and social justice. I am looking forward to continuing the work I believe in so deeply within the mission of Green America."  

“We are really excited to welcome and work with Keisha at the Board level. She brings an exciting and fresh perspective to our organization. Dr. Thorpe’s professionalism, experience, energy, and leadership skills are exactly what Green America needs to help us continue to grow and make the planet a better place for all,” said Deepak Panjwani, co-chair of the Green America Board of Directors. 

Dr. Thorpe will take the reins from Fran Teplitz, Green America’s executive co-director of business, investing & policy, after 23 years of remarkable service to Green America. During her time at Green America, Teplitz shaped the organizational culture, including its focus on JEDI across programs; advanced socially responsible investing and better banking practices for individuals and organizations; steered the Green Business Network; and led organization-wide collaboration on planning, development, and budgeting. She earned the respect and admiration of everyone she worked with—from the staff team, board, individual and business members to the organization’s green economy allies. Teplitz now moves into what she calls her “rewirement.” 

“It has been my honor and joy to work with Green America’s staff, board, individual members, the members of our Green Business Network, and allies, to propel the green economy forward,” said Teplitz. “I am grateful to have shared this journey with all of you and will forever remain a Green American! I’m thrilled to pass the baton to Keisha as we expand our next generation of leadership.”  

“Fran Teplitz has been instrumental throughout the past 23 years in furthering Green America's stature in the green business community throughout our country. Her collaborations with other organizations have netted win-win situations for all involved, most importantly strategies for helping businesses do both well and good. Her recent leadership focus in JEDI throughout Green America established a strong foundation for this most important work to continue. We will miss her greatly, however we will feel her presence through her accomplishments and organizational planning for years,” said Julie Lineberger, co-chair of the Green America Board of Directors. 

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, (703) 276-3255 or mkarlin@hastingsgroupmedia.com.

The Athens Impact Socially Responsible Investments website says it all: “After years in corporate banking, Michelle [Wilson, founder of Athens Impact and financial advisor] came to the realization that finding peace in retirement doesn't mean having the most money; it means surrounding yourself with nature, community, and those you love. Money is simply a tool to help us accomplish the things we find important.” 

Wilson knows money is complicated and overwhelming—that’s why she wants to help people wield the tool as easily as possible. 

She started her career in banking at 18, working as a part-time teller. Several years ago, however, she noticed banking was going in a direction she didn’t like—more machine-oriented, less people-oriented. 

Now it’s her goal to financially serve people and planet, through things like individual financial advising, socially responsible investing (SRI) and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing, shareholder activism, and more. 

Help Should Not Be Conditional 

When you step into the Athens Impact office, Wilson is there to help you, no matter where you are on your financial journey. 

“It’s crazy to me that financial literacy is not taught in school,” Wilson laments. “When a client comes to me, the first part we go over is financial psychology—money scripts, things we learned growing up that keep us in bad financial situations. Society is set up to have us living paycheck to paycheck, and that’s not right.” 

Even if that’s your situation, though, Athens Impact wants to help. 

“When somebody walks in, regardless of their situation, they need to be able to get help.” 

That’s why Holly Fitch, Athens Impact’s office manager, trained to be a financial coach. Wilson meets with potential clients for a consultation, but not everyone is ready to invest. If you have limited funds, for example, Wilson advises keeping your money as an emergency fund. That’s where Fitch comes in as a financial coach, which is a more affordable option, and can get you on track to investing. 

The first step, Wilson says, is figuring out where money is being spent.  

“What I’ve seen many times is people will work and work and work on debt,” she explains. “They’ll get out of debt and then back into debt. Savings are what help them stay out of debt. Then they can use savings in an emergency, instead of putting it on a card.” 

She also recommends looking into financial community programs and for those struggling with debt, nonprofit credit counselors—not debt settlement companies, which often use language to make them seem appealing and helpful, but often take advantage of people struggling with debt. 

When you find yourself in a position to invest, Wilson aims for Athens Impact to be an ethical, comprehensive way to start. 

Investing Meets Activism 

One of the first things investing clients do is fill out the Impact Assessment, which minutely breaks down the causes most important to you to make sure your portfolio is both representative and specific. 

“I can build a custom stock index, directly related to your answers and different from anyone else’s,” Wilson says. “I can tell you why certain businesses and companies are in your portfolio, the positives and negatives, or replace it with another business so you never have to invest in a company you don’t want to.” 

According to Wilson, ESG investing is becoming a “norm in the industry... because [it] reduces the risk in the portfolio,” so it’s where her work starts, not ends. Athens Impact doesn't just use company reported information to screen companies, it also relies on publicly available information, like environmental fines, to avoid greenwashing. 

She doesn’t believe traditional screening methods alone can be called “socially responsible investing,” because it’s based on information from a company’s own reports—which can be manipulated and greenwashed. 

Wilson’s goals don’t end with her individual clients, however. Wilson is taking a holistic approach with her business, planting seeds to not only help individuals, but to empower her community and those around her. 

Athens Impact is based in Athens, Ohio—one of the poorest areas of the country. While the country’s general persons in poverty rate was 12.8% in 2021, Athens reported an average rate of 43.1% persons in poverty from 2020 to 2022. 

In 2022, Athens Impact began working with a nonprofit that helps women out of abusive situations and providing a six-month financial education course to help them land on their feet. This year, Wilson hopes to transition the program to a larger audience. 

Financial Advising Is About Trust 

There is a lot of shame and stigma around money in the US, but Wilson believes “people should be able to come to their financial advisor and talk about whatever their family looks like and whatever financial situation they’re in.” 

It’s why she’s open and candid about her activism and living as an out pansexual, polyamorous person using her financial expertise to do good.  

“I try to be an example,” she says. “It can help people who are not as exposed or open, to look at me and realize it’s not so bad I don’t fit into their boxes.” 

She helped start the first LGBTQ fellowship with Rotary International, and she currently serves as a member of the NAPFA DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) committee and a co-director of the Green America JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, inclusion) committee. 

“I’ve always been an activist for LGBTQ issues, so I was trying to find a way to mesh my activism with my professional background of finance, and that’s how I got into socially responsible investing.” 

Wilson previously served on Equality Ohio’s board and saw firsthand the power of economics: “Without the financial piece, a lot of issues stagnate. I don’t believe companies care about anything but money, so when we attach money to issues we care about, suddenly, companies will be more aware of its own policies.” 

It’s why Wilson so strongly believes in shareholder activism: “I believe shareholder activism will create cultural change, especially as younger generations get older, inherit money, and engage in socially responsible investing.” 

Wilson acknowledges all of this—screening companies to understand their ESG policies, investing your money for the planet, getting your life on track financially—is hard work, but it’s work that makes a difference. It’s why she wants to help. 

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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.

Timeline: Temporary (Roughly 20 hours per week for 5 weeks – schedule is negotiable) 
Payment: $5,000 
Location: Remote 

Green America is a national, nonprofit, membership organization dedicated to creating a socially just and environmentally sustainable society by using economic strategies to help solve the many challenges facing our country and world. Green America's unique approach involves working with consumers, workers, businesses, investors, and supply chain stakeholders to build an economy that serves people and the planet.     
 

Background:  

Green America's labor program highlights labor abuses that affect workers throughout the world. We mobilize consumers to pressure businesses into adopting fair labor practices. We also help consumers find fair and sustainable shopping alternatives. The Toxic Textile campaign under the Labor Program specifically tackles industry-wide abuses that harm workers, the planet, and consumers. Building on our 2019 report and subsequent scorecard that focused on the toxic chemicals used in the manufacturing process, Green America successfully campaigned for companies such as Carter’s to adopt better chemical management practices.  
 

Description:  

Green America seeks a writer and researcher with a background in corporate sustainability, worker rights, and the fashion supply chain to collaborate on our 2023 Toxic Textile Report and scorecard which will expand our scope from toxic chemicals and build on the 2019 report to address the following questions: 

1. What are the top 3-5 most “toxic” aspects of the apparel industry? i.e. Chemicals, tannery, landfill/incinerator, labor abuse, etc. 

2. How does each toxic aspect impact workers, environment, and consumers? 

3. What advocacy tools are effectively being used, by whom? i.e. Accord, union contract, MRSL, Due Diligence, ESG, Social audits, etc. What tools do we need to advocate for each of the toxic aspects?  

4. Who and what do we need to make change? (Specifically breaking it down for consumers, investors, policy makers, workers orgs, and prefer using tools like infographic, scorecards, and other easy to digest graphics or 1-pagers) 

5. Which companies are leaders and laggards regarding the aspects/elements documented?  

The report will be approximately 20 pages long (including citations) and written for a general audience (including media and social media distribution). The scorecard would fit on one page and spotlight online retailers and athletic/athleisure brands. Both the report and scorecard will further our campaigns to get companies to improve their corporate social and environmental performance.
 

Process and Timeline: 

You will provide research and writing to Green America’s Labor Justice Campaigns Director who is overseeing research and development of the Toxic Textile campaign. The contractor will have an initial scope meeting to build on the existing outline for the report, as well as take part in weekly check-ins with the Labor Justice Campaigns Director to ensure the project is moving forward on schedule and that the contractor has the resources needed to advance the work. The work will begin in July and should be completed by September and your name will be listed as an author and researcher in the published report.  
 

To Apply:

Please send your resume and two published pieces in which you contributed writing and/or research to Jean Tong (she/they) at jtong@greenamerica.org by June 30, 2023.  

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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.

Green America works to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society and we value justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

WASHINGTON, DC — JUNE 21, 2023 — Green America is proud to announce Dr. LaKeisha “Keisha” Thorpe as its new executive co-director for culture, planning & green business development. Dr. Thorpe brings a wealth of experience that promises to help take Green America’s operations and green economy programs to the next level.  

Dr. Thorpe’s doctoral dissertation focused on food and culture, she’s served on the board and executive board of the Bethlehem Food Co-op in Pennsylvania, and she’s always made justice and equity a major focus in her work. She has served in JEDI leadership roles at four colleges and universities, most recently, Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, creating better campus experiences for students, faculty, and staff. 

Dr. Thorpe also brings some 16 years of experience in human resources, fundraising, and public education to Green America. 

“Keisha’s brilliant strategic thinking, heart-centered organizing and deep experience in justice, equity and inclusion will create continuity from Green America’s current work and a bridge to our future,” said Alisa Gravitz, president and CEO of Green America. 

“The gratitude and excitement I feel at joining Green America are immeasurable. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work in tandem with folks who consider JEDI work not only a necessity, but a norm,” said Dr. Thorpe. “I cherish the work surrounding sustainability and social justice. I am looking forward to continuing the work I believe in so deeply within the mission of Green America."  

“We are really excited to welcome and work with Keisha at the Board level. She brings an exciting and fresh perspective to our organization. Dr. Thorpe’s professionalism, experience, energy, and leadership skills are exactly what Green America needs to help us continue to grow and make the planet a better place for all,” said Deepak Panjwani, co-chair of the Green America Board of Directors. 

Dr. Thorpe will take the reins from Fran Teplitz, Green America’s executive co-director of business, investing & policy, after 23 years of remarkable service to Green America. During her time at Green America, Teplitz shaped the organizational culture, including its focus on JEDI across programs; advanced socially responsible investing and better banking practices for individuals and organizations; steered the Green Business Network; and led organization-wide collaboration on planning, development, and budgeting. She earned the respect and admiration of everyone she worked with—from the staff team, board, individual and business members to the organization’s green economy allies. Teplitz now moves into what she calls her “rewirement.” 

“It has been my honor and joy to work with Green America’s staff, board, individual members, the members of our Green Business Network, and allies, to propel the green economy forward,” said Teplitz. “I am grateful to have shared this journey with all of you and will forever remain a Green American! I’m thrilled to pass the baton to Keisha as we expand our next generation of leadership.”  

“Fran Teplitz has been instrumental throughout the past 23 years in furthering Green America's stature in the green business community throughout our country. Her collaborations with other organizations have netted win-win situations for all involved, most importantly strategies for helping businesses do both well and good. Her recent leadership focus in JEDI throughout Green America established a strong foundation for this most important work to continue. We will miss her greatly, however we will feel her presence through her accomplishments and organizational planning for years,” said Julie Lineberger, co-chair of the Green America Board of Directors. 

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, (703) 276-3255 or mkarlin@hastingsgroupmedia.com.

For the health of people and planet, people are reevaluating relationships with work and productivity, and pushing for a 4-day work week.

“No one on his deathbed ever said, ‘I wish I had spent more time on my business,’” said lawyer Arnold Zack to his friend with a cancer diagnosis. The quote has since been repeated by uncountable people who relate—that their life is about more than their time at the office.

“Employers understand they can work differently, employees recognize they want to work differently, and everyone realizes they can and should advocate,” explains Charlotte Lockhart, co-founder and managing director of the non-profit 4 Day Week Global.

The organization’s goal is reducing working hours while maintaining pay to prioritize the wellbeing of workers, the planet, and business success.

In 1926, Henry Ford dropped his company’s work week from six days to five. Four years later, economist John Maynard Keynes predicted a 15-hour work week in the future. Clearly, that hasn’t happened, even as productivity during a 40-hour week has risen significantly without corresponding pay increases.

“Burnout culture cannot be sustained,” says Dr. Wen Fan, a sociology professor at Boston College. “Employers need to find a way to recruit and retain. One option is to increase salaries, but not all businesses have that capacity—an alternative is more benefits, like a schedule change.”

Rejecting Burnout, Embracing Life

Some employers permanently reduced working hours long before the four-day work week concept gained traction—indeed, Green America has had a four-day work week since 2001; leadership had been considering it and made the decision to adopt it in the aftermath of 9/11, due to the pressures and uncertainties of those times.

Since helping implement a four-day work week at Green America for the past two decades, human resources director Dennis Greenia has seen why it’s a favorite benefit among staff.

“Recognizing that everyone on staff has a whole and complete life outside of work has helped us recruit and retain,” he says. “It provides the capacity for people to enjoy a fuller life over time.”

Ginger Leib, coordinator for Green America’s Soil & Climate Alliance and Clean Electronics Production Network agrees: “The four-day work week has been crucial to my mental health and well-being. It allows me time to get outside, rest, or spend time with loved ones.”

This experience is not unique to Green America. Research shows that a four-day work week creates benefits for employees and employers alike around the world.

Results from the most recent and biggest study yet, the UK’s four-day week pilot, were released in 2023. The research organization Autonomy, along with 4 Day Week Global, spearheaded the program.

This UK study, which both Lockhart and Fan worked on, ran for six months in 2022 involving 57 companies and 2,548 employees. Across the board, the study’s results showed promise.

Tyler Grange, an environmental consultancy firm and study participant, reported a 22% productivity increase. Most study participants agreed—78% found no change in workload, while 62% found their work pace increased but only 13% reported an increase in stress.

“More employers are recognizing the economic benefit, too, of a healthy workforce,” Lockhart says.
These economic benefits were present in the study results, including increased revenue (+34.5% compared to a previous, similar six-month period) and decreases in resignations and absences.

What researchers and activists are most excited about, however, is the impact on quality of life.

“My favorite one is the insomnia statistic,” says Lockhart, referring to 46% and 40% of employees reporting reductions in fatigue and sleep difficulties. “There are many reasons why we don’t sleep well—stress, poor eating, no exercise.”

Added time in a person’s week, to spend how they choose, can help holistically, suggests Lockhart and the study.

Mary Meade, editor and digital content manager at Green America, agrees: “Work-life balance is very important to me. I use my three-day weekends to take mini trips. It’s the perfect amount of time to get things done: Friday is for errands, Saturday is for fun, and Sunday is for relaxation. I am truly able to unplug from work with three days.”

By the end of the UK study, 92% of the participating companies continued with the program, 30% confirmed a permanent shift, and most employees said only a significant pay increase would get them to go back to a five-day work week.

Not Just People: Is the Four-Day Work Week Better for the Planet, Too?

There is research to suggest reduced working hours will benefit the planet, with an important caveat: intentionality.

Reducing commuting distance (691 million miles a week with a four-day work week, per one UK white paper) could be canceled out if people start jetting off on their three-day weekends. The UK study showed 52% of employees did increase leisure travel during the six-month period.

Where experts believe a four-day work week or similar reduction in working hours could help the planet is in people’s daily habits.

“There’s no denying the amount we’re working now is bad for the planet,” Lockhart says. “I’m looking at you, UberEats. How environmentally unfriendly is it to have a single meal delivered because you didn’t have time to grocery shop and make dinner.”

During the 2020 covid lockdown, research showed more people adopted more eco-friendly practices like recycling when at home and working less. This is the consistent intent required to maintain the climate benefits of decreased business traffic rather than offset them.

Data from the US Energy Information Administration shows potential positive outcomes with a reduced working week—Americans burn 10% less fossil fuels on weekends. Increasing a person’s weekend to three days, then, has the potential to significantly decrease fossil fuel emissions if people have more time for and choose low-carbon activities like hiking, gardening, or cooking for your friends and family.

It should be a communal effort, though, says Anupam Nanda, urban economics and real estate professor at the University of Manchester, UK: “Eco-friendly facilities and neighborhood green spaces should be created across urban areas in order to encourage people to spend their free time in a sustainable way.”

The Gift of Time Is Justice

“As business leaders, we need to remember that we borrow people from their lives,” Lockhart states.
People are more than the money they bring in or work output. Giving back time to workers to be with friends and family, cultivate hobbies, contribute to their communities, supplies not only benefits, but justice. People will get to define what productivity means to them, like pursuing education or volunteering, which is down in the US year over year since 2019, according to Gallup.

Some may discover justice in other areas. Following the UK trial, 21% of employees reported a decrease in childcare costs and more men than women reported an increased involvement with childcare duties. In the US, where childcare costs and gender roles are huge challenges to family life, such benefits could be life-changing.
It is also important to recognize who will benefit from reduced working hours.

“Typically, already advantaged organizations and sectors are more likely to be part of these trials,” Fan explains. “We also see an over-representation of highly educated workers.”

Fan says companies should work to extend these models to all employees, primarily less educated, marginalized, and immigrant workers, as well as non-office workers. Solutions could look like tax incentives for smaller businesses, and acknowledging this work is not one-size-fits-all. Some industries—hospitals or restaurants, for example—will need to hire more employees or reduce hours in other ways, like shorter shifts across five days.

Rep. Mark Takano’s (D-CA) solution is to make the four-day work week federal law with the Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act.

“We have before us the opportunity to make common-sense changes to work standards passed down from a different era,” he said.

Organizations like Green America, or New Zealand’s Perpetual Guardian, which adopted a permanent four-day work week in 2018, have already seen and felt such increased happiness—it just might be time for more employers to follow suit.

For 40 years, Green Americans have been supporting workers. You’ve signed petitions to pressure and change companies with poor worker safety practices. You’ve joined picket lines with loud voices and poster board to spare. And you’ve incorporated activism into your own workplaces. Safe and healthy workplaces that pay good wages are essential to building a green economy. There are so many ways to support workers today, whatever you have to spare (time, money, or energy), and wherever your talents lie, we can all play a role in creating a healthier, safer, better-paid workforce. Here are eight ways to build a better world of work.

1. Buy from Unionized Shops

Unionized stores and union-made products mean workers have more power over their pay, safety, and other important issues. Many big box supermarkets are unionized and label local foods—which are more likely to adhere to safe labor standards than products made in other countries. While no union is perfect and even good working conditions can be improved, supporting unions provides a way for workers to establish a better balance of power for their protection and rights. Green America supports striking Starbucks workers, who have made a map of unionized and non-unionized shops—check that out at everyunionstarbucks.com.

If you are curious about whether a store is unionized nationally or at a local chain, do an internet search of “[store name] union,” and that should help you out. Of course, many stores don’t have unions because they may not have enough employees, they may not yet be organizing, or not yet successful in forming a union. Many corporations actively fight against unionization, but when you have a chance, choose unionized. Use Labor411.org to find unionized shops across industries.

2. Support Union Efforts

When workers go on strike—listen to them and support them with your dollars. That means lately, shopping at locally owned coffee shops when Starbucks is striking (or ones that have unionized). When Amazon workers are striking, do your best to avoid shopping from there. In fall 2021, Kellogg’s workers went on strike, so that would have been a good time to try a different cereal brand. After 11 weeks, 1,400 affected workers came to a new five-year contract with the company, which meant a successful strike, as it increased wages and benefits for the workers.

Whether a local or national company, always avoid crossing a picket line—crossing a picket line means going into the places that have striking workers and spending your money there anyway, which communicates not agreeing with what workers are asking for.

If you want to elevate your support, talk to people in the picket line and volunteer your time to join them if you can—adding your voice to the choir is free! If you have money but not time to contribute, dropping off snacks, water, hand warmers, or sunscreen will help those on the picket line stay stronger, longer.

“You can even participate in a community delegation to tell management the concerns from a community/consumer perspective,” says Jean Tong, Green America’s labor campaigns director. “It’s powerful stuff. Strikes have been won with that strategy.”

3. Share Information

When you hear of a worker strike or a petition to improve conditions for workers, share that information. Use social media to share posts, or bring up worker concerns and strikes in conversation. Many people may not know the what of a particular strike—what the workers are facing and fighting for. Sharing this information is a powerful way to get more people to support workers.

4. Ask Where Your Officials Stand

Elected leaders have an outsized say on state and local labor laws. Write an email, make a call, or go to a town hall with elected leaders and ask where they stand on labor issues, like union pushes and fair wages. If they answer in support of workers’ rights, hold them accountable when they get a chance to take action on these topics. If they answer in a way that is more supportive of corporations than workers, it may be time to start a pressure campaign to get them to reconsider their stance.

5. Vote Your Proxies

If you own stocks in individual companies or through mutual funds, you receive a proxy ballot every year to vote in advance of the annual shareholder meeting. Check those proxies for labor-related and other green issues and make sure you or your financial manager vote to voice your opinion. Many shareholders calling for labor rights can work.

6. Make Calls to Companies

When you learn that one of the companies you regularly purchase from pays low wages or treats workers poorly, make a call or write a letter. Let them know that you’ve been a loyal customer, but that you won’t return until they change their practices.

7. Buy US-Made, When You Can

“One of the most important ways to support workers and the labor movement is to know the workers as part of your community, that way when there are issues, it is not just a worker issue but a community issue,” says Tong. “The other huge benefit of supporting local-made is obviously reducing carbon emissions.”

Of course, innumerable amounts of goods are manufactured abroad and shipped to the states. But when possible, buy products that were manufactured in your community, your state, or your local region. The US has stronger labor laws than some (but not all) other countries, which means workers are more likely to be paid fairly, have the right to strike, or at least speak their mind. The extra expense of US production is a major reason why many companies outsource, but it is also a reason that workers might be treated more fairly. And, of course, when workers in your community are looking for support in seeking justice or better conditions, you’ll be more likely to hear about it and be familiar with it, to support them from the start.

When buying from overseas, look for credible certifications, from Fair Trade America, Green America’s Green Business Network, and World Fair Trade Organization. For larger apparel companies, look for companies that take part in the International Accord.

8. Buy Green

Green businesses represent the next evolution of the economy—they are designing products, services, and workplaces with people and the planet at the forefront. Green America works to create a supply of businesses worthy of the green economy—both by pressuring bad actors to do better and by uplifting small green businesses through our Green Business Network. The Network provides resources for businesses, has certification standards across over 30 industries, and provides media coverage to small businesses around the world.

In Latin American countries and lower-latitude communities around the world, researchers are finding a rise of chronic kidney disease in outdoor workers—a consequence of persistent dehydration.

“There are researchers who are saying this is the first epidemic of climate change,” says Dr. Kristina Dahl, a principal climate scientist for the Union of Concerned Scientists. In the US, Dahl says, this reality may not be far off for our own outdoor workforce.

In 2006, California became the first state to pass heat protection standards. In the 17 years since, only three other states have adopted outdoor workplace heat standards: Oregon, Washington, and Colorado (in Colorado, for agricultural workers only).

From farmers to construction workers, landscapers, garbage collectors, airport tarmac workers, emergency responders, and so many more, our country depends on the outdoor workforce, so why don’t we protect them when it comes to heat?

Dahl is focused on outdoor workers, climate, and bridging science with policy. In the next 30 years, she says, the frequency and severity of extreme heat will rise across the country, bringing with it an increase of heat illness and heat-related deaths for workers and worsening historic inequalities for this under-valued workforce. While average temperatures rise nearly every summer, we can start protecting our workers today by passing worker-safety laws and enforcing heat-protection standards and practices.

The State of Heat Standards

Adopting heat protection—for outdoor or indoor workers—involves a knotted web of factors, from policy to implementation. Currently, there are no federal heat protection standards in the US. While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a rule that states employers have a duty to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, heat is not specifically mentioned. This means that basic standards for outdoor workers’ health may not be met, such as ample and accessible shade, cold and clean water, and cooling breaks, according to Dahl.

Even in states with protective regulations, when it comes to enforcement, Dahl has heard farm workers say: “There’s one law on the books and there’s another law in the field.”

In California, for example, science-informed heat protection standards do exist; however, implementation varies from employer to employer, field to field. Employees may not be informed of the laws protecting them or the signs and symptoms of heat illness, or employers may not offer that information in the appropriate languages. Some workers may have more incentive to stay quiet than advocate for their rights, like those who are paid by the pound of produce picked, for whom an increase of water and shade breaks would cut into earnings. Undocumented immigrants may fear deportation for speaking up, others may not have the resources to support their advocacy and feel the effort is in vain.

“It’s not a group of people that has been empowered in the past—quite the opposite,” Dahl says. Therefore, even with decent laws, employers must be the ones to hold themselves accountable to provide shade, water, and rest for their workers.

When people with little power, desperate to keep their jobs can’t speak up, it’s called a “lower-archy,” according to Marcy Goldstein-Gelb, co-executive director for the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH).

“Heat is exactly the same scenario as all other poor conditions that workers face,” Goldstein-Gelb says. “Having the least voice is often equivalent to a death or harm sentence.” And so the system snowballs: when workers can’t speak up, harm and abuse go unreported, and policy is at a standstill.

How We Can Support Outdoor Workers

Build Power from Worker Voices

As with any demand for change and justice, it’s critical to engage with the affected communities. Organizations like National COSH develop campaigns based on a network of community-based worker organizations that speak directly with outdoor and indoor workers operating in extreme heat environments, asking about symptoms but also what would make their lives safer, then encouraging employers to take the steps to protect their workers.

“Without the workers being the eyes and ears on the ground, then it’s all going to be meaningless,” Goldstein-Gelb says. “You can have all the laws you want, but unless there are workers using them and taking action and speaking up, they’re just pieces of paper. Our role is to support workers in building their voice, power, and collective action.”

Advocate for Federal Standards

OSHA has announced that it has begun a rule-making process to regulate protections and enforcement; however, it may be years before we see finalization and real-world implementation.

While state policies and protections are important, federal standards are critical, as they can set protections based on human tolerance and health (compared to varying state-by-state in accordance to how people have acclimated to temperature).

“This is based on health, science, and research about what our bodies can take and can’t take,” says Dahl. “All people in all states deserve to be protected by standards and the only way we’re going to get there is with federal standards in place.”

Then comes on-the-ground enforcement: checking in on employers, reviewing their plans for providing education in multiple languages, and inspecting the quality and temperature of available water and access to ample shade. Goldstein-Gelb adds unionization, collective bargaining agreements, and strong worker committees are equally critical for this vulnerable workforce.

Educate on Heat Health and Safety

It’s important that workers are well-equipped for the immediate threats they currently face. Employers, employees, and advocates can all contribute to protecting outdoor workers with these steps:

• Support local worker-safety organizations in your state or county who protect workers facing extreme heat conditions. Personal testimony and comments of support carry weight in local legislatures, where even 10-20 people’s voices can sway policy.
• If you’re an employer, speak to your workers about what you can do better to provide a safer and more comfortable work environment.
• Provide multi-lingual (including written and verbal) education on the signs of heat illness, dehydration, and heat exhaustion. The CDC lists tips to prevent heat-related illness, such as wearing appropriate clothing, pacing yourself, and drinking plenty of fluids.
• Advocate or implement buddy systems, so workers can look out for their peers while also being looked out for themselves.

The economy can thrive without harming the environment or the beings that call our planet home. This is at the heart of Green America’s mission and why we work for a green economy. Yet that vision seems hard to reach when good jobs and workers’ rights are pitted against the environment—a narrative that doesn’t have to be true.
Historically, industry has exploited both workers and the environment through poor working conditions and pollution. Yet history also shows that people stand up to right these wrongs—whether that be enacting child labor laws, the Clean Water Act, or unionizing workforces.

Recently, some companies have adopted more just and green policies, helping to lead industry towards better standards, such as the minority-owned SUNS (Solar Uptown Now Services) Cooperative that employs people of color in steady, clean-energy jobs. While state-wide policies are failing the green economy movement, such as Texas’ mandate for fossil fuels over renewables, there is hope in the Inflation Reduction Act and the small businesses leading the charge.

It’s more important than ever that worker-organizers, unions, and organizations like Green America are working collectively towards a future where people don’t have to choose between a good job and a clean environment.

Blue Fenceline Communities

Blue collar workers are among the first people to face the impacts of environmental issues. Many live in fenceline communities—neighborhoods that are near high-polluting warehouse districts, industrial factories, and dumps.

In the north of Birmingham, Alabama, the Bluestone Coke plant (which makes fuel for steel manufacturing) has been polluting historically Black neighborhoods for decades. The EPA has designated it as “the 35th Ave Superfund site.” Arsenic and lead have been found in residential soil due to leaks from the plant, and residents bear the burden of disproportionately high rates of respiratory issues and cancer.

For generations, residents have worked at the coke plant without knowledge of the harm it caused to their health and their communities. As blue-collar factory workers, this circumstance demonstrates the tragic intersection of environmental injustice and workers.

Jean Tong, Green America’s labor campaigns director, says that this issue spans industries, from the 35th Avenue Superfund to southeast Los Angeles, where garment workers make clothes that contain harmful chemicals for low pay.

“Low-wage workers who face poor working conditions on the job are often living in highly polluted fenceline communities,” says Tong. “Low-income working families are also vulnerable consumers to products sold by companies such as Amazon or Shein that may contain toxic chemicals because of their low prices.”

Tong calls these compounded stressors the “triple-whammy”on low-wage workers—unsafe working conditions, high exposure to environmental risks, and limited access to affordable and healthy essential daily products and food. They are the reasons why organizing at the intersection of workers’ rights and environmental justice is so important.

Where Blue Collar Meets Green

With environmental issues affecting blue collar workers acutely, shouldn’t labor groups and environmental organizations to work together? It’s not that simple.

For example, Native American communities led the fight against the Keystone XL Pipeline, joined by environmentalists and other concerned citizens. When President Biden canceled the pipeline, it was celebrated as a win among these allies. However, the Laborers’ International Union of the North and more labor unions supported the Keystone XL for its creation of steady union jobs. Today, these same unions applaud Biden’s approval of the long-delayed Willow Project in Alaska, which once again is being fought by local Native American communities and allied environmentalists. While these fossil fuel projects contribute to the climate crisis, they also provide steady good-paying jobs for union workers.

“It’s not fair or practical to ask workers to choose between feeding their families and saving the environment,” says Tong. “The responsibility falls on a comprehensive national ‘just transition’ plan toward green jobs and renewable energy. They are two sides of the same coin.”

BlueGreen Alliance, an organization which unites labor unions and environmental organizations for the shared interest of a clean environment and quality jobs, seeks to create policy solutions to these issues.

“We don’t want folks to have to choose between a good job and a clean environment,” Katie Harris, BlueGreen Alliance’s legislative director, says. “We advocated for the Inflation Reduction Act [IRA]. For the first time, labor standards are attached to clean energy tax credits.” This will incentivize companies to invest in clean energy resources that pay a prevailing wage for the tax credits they will earn—prevailing wage means a basic hourly rate given to people who work the same job, used by the government to ensure that tax credits or dollars only go to businesses that pay workers fairly.

This means that under 2022’s IRA, investments in clean energy must also consider the wellbeing of the workers—a major step forward for energy justice. More than nine million clean energy jobs could be created over the next decade with these rules in mind.

Community in Clean Energy

Responsibility falls on corporations to switch to clean energy and support good jobs. Corporations are responsible for 75% of all energy used in the US, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

Telecom companies are expected to grow in influence as society becomes more dependent on telecoms to communicate and conduct business, according to Green America’s “Calling for a Just, Clean Transition” 2021 report. They have power to influence clean energy investments with their massive energy use and advance energy justice in the workforce by employing underserved communities.

Dan Howells, Green America’s climate campaigns director, says that public pressure is needed to get companies to transition to clean energy. Whether that’s publicly on social media or calling your provider directly, it’s important for the public to take part.

“The inevitable is coming,” says Howells. “We’ve already reached peak-oil, -coal, and the fossil fuel industry is in decline. The next step is, who’s going to build, install, and maintain all new renewable energy infrastructure and systems?”

Howells uses the example of electric charging stations. As electric vehicles grow in popularity, charging stations are built to serve the same function as gas stations—refueling. However, as more stations pop up across the nation, a workforce will have to maintain them. Our report urges companies to employ women and people of color, to protect workers by honoring the right to organize, and offer prevailing wages.

ChargerHelp! in Los Angeles is a company growing this workforce. ChargerHelp! offers electric vehicle supply equipment technician training and certification, re-skilling for workers looking to change fields, and trainings for workforce development organizations.

As companies like ChargerHelp! transition the workforce into an emerging energy landscape, Howells emphasizes how important conversation between communities and companies is to workers.

“It starts with a conversation: companies with market power should consult with communities where they have current or future projects,” says Howells. “And, they should make sure that the good jobs that come along with renewable energy projects benefit those communities.”

Under the IRA, corporations are eligible for clean energy tax credits, which incentivizes them to invest in good jobs for clean-energy workers.

An Energy Transition for Everyone

Historically, low-income communities and communities of color have been the last to see the benefits of energy transitions and the first to experience negative effects—the neighborhoods near the 35th Avenue Superfund site are a prime example of many environmental injustices around the country. But Green America’s telecoms and labor justice campaigns as well as organizations like BlueGreen Alliance are working to make sure history won’t repeat itself in the clean energy transition.

“In the times we’ve had big economic shifts, there are people who’ve been left behind,” says Harris. “There has to be intentional investments in keeping communities whole. We can make sure that the communities that want these investments actually have a say.”

Harris references coal miners in Appalachia that support the transition to clean energy jobs. United Mineworkers Association members urged Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) to support Biden’s 2022 budget bill for its policies of employing former miners in new industries. With the passing of the IRA later that year, there is $369 billion allocated for the transition to renewable energy, some of which will be spent to bolster a clean energy economy in West Virginia.

“Labor union apprenticeship programs have the power to uplift immigrants and communities of color by providing a pathway toward middle class jobs and access to crucial benefits like affordable health care and pensions,” says Tong.

The US can reach for the new frontier of clean energy without leaving anyone behind by addressing the triple win of a just transition: supporting workers’ needs and rights; safeguarding the environment and tackling climate change; and addressing the communities affected. With these tools, labor unions and environmental groups can work towards a future where good jobs and a healthy environment go hand in hand.

Anna Ortega is a lifelong resident of San Bernardino, California. That city is part of the “Inland Empire” north of Los Angeles, once known for its agricultural industry, now known for being a center for warehousing, trucking, and shipping. In April 2021, Amazon started air operations at the San Bernardino airport. In November of that year, Ortega started working there, sorting packages and braving the sometimes stifling heat. Ortega once dreamed of working her way up the ladder with promotions at Amazon. After finding momentum with an organizing workers’ committee, she is now passionate about making her (in)famous workplace better for her colleagues and community. Ortega shared her story with Green American in April, 2023.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How did you come to work for Amazon?

I was burning through my savings and I really needed a job. [My mom] was working at an Amazon fulfillment center and I was going to apply to the one she was working at, but when I pulled up the Amazon application website, I saw that there was a sign-on bonus for the airport, so I decided to apply there instead. I was actually scared to work at Amazon because I had heard things from other people that have worked at Amazon about the working conditions and what it was like, and so I was fully prepared to quit after six months. But I ended up liking it because of my coworkers. And especially now—the environment that we’re creating, the culture that we’re creating… I really enjoy it.

How did you become involved in worker justice advocacy?

In 2021, the Amazon building where Ortega works had an unannounced closure. A group of affected workers started a petition asking for back pay and policy change regarding unpaid workdays.

When they approached me with the petition, I was honest with them. I told them, ‘I think what you guys are doing is cool, but I don’t want to jeopardize my chances for promoting.’ I thought anybody who signed it was going to get fired. I was scared, and so I declined. But then, the committee delivered the petition and none of them got fired. They didn’t get back pay, but the company gave us a month where we could pick up all the extra time we wanted.

That sent a message. My coworkers got together, they worked, they told the managers, ‘Hey, this is wrong, and you should fix it.’ And they fixed it. And none of them got in trouble. They’re all still here. I thought that was incredibly powerful and after that, I started thinking, hey, that positive change is good. What more can be done?

What is your role?

My department is called Mez [referring to the upper mezzanine level of the building, according to an Amazon job posting]. We do most of the sorting for the building. Most of the sorting happens manually: we take one package at a time, place it on a conveyor or on a robot, scan it, and the conveyor or robot automatically will take it where it needs to go. I get in at 7 a.m. and I leave at 5:30 p.m.

We’re seeing an influx of being sent out of our department to help another department that’s understaffed. It’s pretty unpopular, because we don’t get refresher training on how to do things, and we have to look to the people near us for help because it’s difficult to track down a management member.

I definitely noticed that whenever we hold a delegation, where a group of us goes to talk to a manager, they never say it but we instantly kind of get penalized for it. [Editor’s note: ‘delegation’ is what the workers call it when members of the organizing committee approach management with complaints or concerns. The committee is not recognized formally by Amazon.] We get back from the delegation and back to working and after a few minutes you know, we get sent out of the department and then down in the other department, they’ll say, ‘Why did they send you?’

After the first big action that I took as part of the committee, the next day not a single manager or PA [process assistant, functionally a manager] said anything to me until after like six hours into the shift. Then they pulled a bunch of us to the side like, ‘We just want to let you guys know like we appreciate you, you are welcome to raise your concerns, you can talk to us,’ but it took them six hours to say that.

Anytime we’re going to do a delegation, with work friends who are not part of the committee usually, I give them this talk: ‘They might treat you differently, you’re not imagining it. They will do that.’

Do you feel safe?

It doesn’t always feel like a safe place, no. There’s definitely times when it feels very hectic and everyone seemed frazzled and stressed. Whenever something goes down or something gets jammed, there’s alarms that go off. In those cases, management will still try and push for productivity over safety. I feel like they tend to forget that we’re actual human beings sometimes.

Tell us about the heat you deal with at work and how you addressed issues with it last summer.

The outside department working directly with the planes, they are outside all day in the sun, breathing in the jet fuel and the fumes. They had to walk and walk to find water and have a cool space to sit down and rest if they needed it. On the inside we were dealing with similar issues. There’s an entire department that works adjacent to outside, so they’re letting out the building’s air-conditioned air. There were no fans for them down there, and they didn’t have water in easily accessible areas. If they left their workstations to go and get some, by the time they’d came back, their supervisors were there asking why they were gone for so long, giving them a hard time, when all they wanted was to go and get water.

We realized, no, this isn’t okay, we shouldn’t be dealing with this, so we did two ‘heat delegations.’ We went up to the building’s manager so that we could share our stories and raise our concerns. After that, we saw some pretty big changes. Outside they started giving them their heat breaks, they got really big misters, more ice chests with water. We saw this push from management, letting us know, ‘Hey, remember, pace yourself; don’t overwork yourself; make sure you’re drinking water; if you don’t feel good, take a break.’ We weren’t seeing that before.

Does this create permanent change?

We definitely still have to keep them accountable, we still have to be the ones to [say], ‘Hey, there’s an issue here.’ It needs to be addressed. And then again, ‘Hey, has that issue that I raised the other day been addressed yet?’ [Heat safety measures have] definitely declined a bit since immediately after they were on top of things. Little by little they decline.

[But our organizing committee meets] with each other very often, talk about the issues to try and come up with ways to solve them. At this point, I consider this committee my family because I know that when I have an issue, as hard as it may seem to me in the moment, I know that at the end of the day, I can talk to any one of them. We can get through this together.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m pretty hell-bent on staying here. My involvement over the past year and a half, it’s definitely changed who I am. I really do hope to make this job a better one, and a good one. A job that someone in this community can go to and be able to support [their] family with.

I was born and raised in this city. This is my community. The people who live here deserve better. I do genuinely want to make this a better [opportunity] for the community.

In movies, robots oscillate between good and evil. Wall-E cleaned up trash on an abandoned planet while childlike M3gan committed murder without remorse.

In the workplace, robotics issues looks more like 2019’s Oscar winning documentary “American Factory,” which shows automation bringing an Ohio glass-making factory back to life, but not necessarily giving a good life to workers in it.

When it comes to workplace robotics, the first equipment was introduced by engineers at General Motors in 1961: a robotic arm that could lift and stack 75 pounds of hot metal at a time. With this, dangerous tasks for people were made safer by a machine.

Jessie HF Hammerling, co-director of the Green Economy program at the University of California Berkeley Labor Center, emphasizes that robotics are not inherently bad or good—we have to ask, how are they being used? The answer has huge impacts on workers and the climate.

Robots in the Workforce

Amazon, known for its cheap finds and speedy deliveries at the expense of workers and the planet, employs about 1.6 million people globally and has deployed more than 520,000 robots in its fulfillment and sorting centers. According to investor and CEO of ARK Invest, Cathie Wood, Amazon is adding about a thousand robots per day, which could lead to robots outnumbering human staff in just seven years.

But robots are making the fulfillment centers less safe. Amazon experiences 5.9 serious injuries per 100 employees at non-robotic warehouses (already double the rate of non-Amazon warehouses), but an astonishing 7.9 serious injuries per 100 employees at facilities with robots.

At the Labor Center, Hammerling and her team’s research shows that robotics and enhanced technologies will have a greater impact on job quality than job quantity for human workers. Their multi-year studies covered five of the most robotized sectors—warehouses, trucking, retail, healthcare, and food delivery.

“Job losses were concentrated in specific occupations and limited in scope, but the consequences for workers’ job quality overall were far more substantial, in ways that can have pretty significant negative outcomes for workers, such as lower wages, de-skilling, work speed-up, loss of autonomy and privacy, and the worst impacts were in particular for women and people of color,” Hammerling says.

Outsized impacts on women and people of color come because technological changes can worsen existing inequalities. Many front-line occupations like warehouse workers, cashiers, health aides, and nurses are more likely to be women, people of color, or both.

But, Hammerling says, the effects come from how technology is being developed and deployed. For example, tracking devices used by Amazon to track warehouse workers compromise worker privacy and increase work speeds.

But a similar type of technology has been designed for hotel housekeepers, where location tracking can be activated by a worn panic button, which can help staff get quick help in dangerous situations with guests.
As robots aren’t inherently good or bad for labor, so too with climate—it’s all about context.

Robotics and the Climate

People aren’t thinking enough about the climate impacts of robotics, says Dr. Fiachra O’Brolcháin. He does, as a philosopher and professor at Dublin City University. In his paper, “Environmental Impact of Robotics: Ethical Concerns and Legal Alternatives,” published in Springer Nature in 2020, he and his co-author say that sufficient attention has not been paid to environmental concerns.

“There’s a huge sort of techno-philic attitude in Western cultures—we’re always very excited about new technologies and equate that with progress,” O’Brolcháin says. “Insofar as there’s a focus on the downsides, that I’ve come across, it is the focus on labor and the potential huge loss of jobs from AI and robotics. The environmental aspect has been overlooked.”

The paper brings light to a multitude of issues that should be addressed as robotics are developed and popularized: e-waste, raw materials and chemicals in supply chains, energy use, and environmental justice. For example, if robots become consumer products (as they already have, with robotic vacuums and autonomous vehicles), they might become quickly obsolete status symbols that constantly are tossed away and upgraded, instead of well-fabricated, durable machines meant to be used and repaired for a long life cycle.

Workers really need to have a voice in the processes of technological change, whether it’s climate-related or not.

— Jessie HF Hammerling, UC Berkeley Labor Center

Like many products, the issue with robotics is that the environmental impacts—using a green and just supply chain, with fair pay and without polluting marginalized communities—are often only examined after they have happened. O’Brolcháin says there is a need for governments to consider environmental impacts and create regulations to make products in a green way.

“You’d hope that governments would regulate the market so that we are protected from the more pernicious effects of robots. But with governments, it depends on who you vote for and what sort of lobbies are there,” O’Brolcháin says.

Policymakers in the European Union are starting to look at potential issues, with The Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI, and GDPR, a data protection act, but while those do reference human rights, they are not designed to address environmental concerns.

Many roboticists are looking to create climate good with their technologies, which can take on dull, dirty, and/or dangerous tasks—for example SS MAPR, an autonomous boat that can be used to check river pollution and collect data at multiple depths, which could drive stronger pollution laws. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is working on developing robots to repurpose retired electric vehicle batteries to be used as energy storage for buildings—using robots for this can reduce human exposure to toxic chemicals and high voltage.

What’s Next

What’s clear from both Hammerling and O’Brolcháin is that robotic technologies have potential to better human lives and the environment. Tech companies, governments, and potential purchasers of robotics need to participate in ensuring that outcome.

Both experts hope a change in perspective could be what’s next.

“Is it progress to develop a huge number of robots, if they’re very detrimental to the planetary system that we rely on for survival?” O’Brolcháin asks. “Or should there be some notion of a collective good for us all [including nature]?”

Hammerling says for any type of technological change, as workers’ processes change, their feedback needs to be considered.

“Robotics is just one of many types of technological change. The transition to a low-carbon economy is also a form of technological change,” Hammerling says. “Workers really need to have a voice in the processes of technological change, whether it’s climate-related or not.”

At the end of the day, she says that comes down to soliciting feedback from workers and allowing organizing among workers as their workplaces change.

Technology continues to advance, with robotics in the past, present, and future. To ensure that they contribute to an environmentally sustainable society and people-first economy, we must institute technologies while considering the collective good of workers and the planet.

Pressure is rising, creating real progress. Workers are pushing for unions and an end to poor treatment at some of the country’s most recognizable companies. Meanwhile, workers in every sector of the economy are recognizing a need for work/life balance and interest in the four-day workweek is growing.

At the same time, there have been alarming setbacks. Arkansas passed a law making it easier for children to work grueling jobs and other states are following suit.

Needing to push against child labor, organize in protest of poor working conditions and advocate for shorter work weeks… we feel like we’ve seen this before. With this issue, we explore the challenges and victories that workers face today, which are iterations on justice and equity issues from the past. We delve into the power of collective action, the potential of a just transition when it comes to climate solutions, the challenges of facing profit-driven corporations, and the tragedy of kids working dangerous jobs.

Workers across the labor force—whether doing manual labor, employed in the service industry, or sitting behind computers everyday—are feeling discontent and ready to do something about it. National Labor Relations Board chairman and professor Mark Pearce says that the pandemic was the wakeup call and catalyst—for people asking the question, “Is there another way to work and live?” Vulnerable workers in the pandemic were “not only scared, they were pissed,” Pearce said to CNBC.

With companies pivoting and shuttering, work looks and feels different since the start of the pandemic. Jobs and paychecks disappeared for the estimated 9.6 million workers who lost their jobs in the first three quarters of 2020. Some social systems provided support, such as stimulus checks and paid sick leave, and other systems failed, as up to 14% of families didn’t have enough to eat at the peak of the crisis.

After the pandemic laid bare the problems with work across the economy, people want a better way forward—and ways to build our communities to help ourselves. For ideas about how to do that, turn the pages to read more about workers organizing with new momentum, the rise of the climate-labor connection, and the growing interest in the four-day work week.

We also explore those areas where system change is most needed—and the most difficult. People who are already marginalized due to systemic racism and inequality are too often stuck in low-wage jobs and in workplaces where it is unsafe to demand change. Consider, for example, children workers and outdoor workers.

In 2022, Americans witnessed, and some participated in, union resurgences across the country, along with the highest approval of unions since the major labor organizing in the 1960s. At the same time, we are seeing a corporate backlash to worker power with companies engaging in massive layoffs and outright denial of poor treatment.

Labor victories happening right next to attacks on labor organizing and laws is why we need governments at all levels, companies of all sizes, and communities everywhere to create a culture, alongside policies, that values workers in the long term.

Green America’s labor campaigns director, Jean Tong, reminds us not to forget that each worker we meet in these pages or hear about on the news is a member of a community—maybe yours. As we support a local union or call for better safety standards, we lift up our communities. As we build greener, more just workplaces, we make our cities, towns, and country stronger, too.

In March 2020, our country experienced a profound shift. Streets emptied, classrooms turned virtual, office buildings closed—and a spotlight turned brightly on a workforce that had been historically overlooked and undervalued.

“For the first time ever, frontline workers were a central part of the picture,” says Gina Falada, associate director of advancing worker justice at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR).

At the onset of covid-19 and in its aftermath, labor issues like paid sick leave and workplace health and safety have come to national attention, including to investors.

“The pandemic created an opportunity to shine a light on all these issues,” says Falada.

But we shouldn’t have to wait for a crisis to address glaring problems.

ICCR is a shareholder advocacy group which organizes institutional investors to use their power to push companies towards better policies through shareholder proposals and resolutions. Gina Falada and Nadira Narine, senior director of strategic initiatives at ICCR, help guide and inform investor-members so that their shareholding power uplifts workers and their basic human rights every day.

“Shareholder resolutions are intended to benefit the company and its shareholders by encouraging the company to employ high-road employment practices: preventing discrimination or harassment, respecting workers and their freedom to join trade unions, adopting health and safety protections, and more,” explains Brandon Rees, deputy director of corporations and capital markets for AFL-CIO, a federation of labor unions that represents nearly 17 million workers.

Shareholder Resolutions on Labor Rights

Currently, freedom of association and collective bargaining, the protected rights of unionizing employees, are gaining significant momentum among shareholders. After votes last year at Amazon and Tesla, ICCR is now tracking 12 resolutions demanding that company policies protect worker leadership and unionizing efforts, especially at Starbucks, Amazon, and other major corporations.

For example, Starbucks, as well as Apple, both had high-profile cases of suppressing staff organizing efforts. Hyewon Han, director of shareholder advocacy at Trillium Asset Management, is working with investors on shareholder resolutions that call on these companies to examine their commitment to human rights—particularly, the right to form trade unions. Han says the first step is for companies to hire independent auditors to assess a company’s alignment to its own commitments and incorporate workers’ experiences into the analysis. Apple agreed to hire an independent firm to do this audit, so shareholders withdrew their resolution.

AFL-CIO also protects working people by filing resolutions such as a Wells Fargo resolution on freedom of association that received 34% of the shareholder vote in April. Rees says he is hopeful Wells Fargo will take action, “given the significant percentage of shareholders that supported the proposal.” Another resolution at Amazon encourages the board of directors to consider all company employee pay when setting CEO targets. Amazon famously has the highest CEO-to-worker pay ratio of all S&P 500 companies, Rees says, with the CEO making more than 1,000 times the median employee’s compensation.

Other pro-worker resolutions in 2023 address paid sick leave, gender and racial pay disparities, and workplace diversity. According to the 2023 Proxy Preview report, about 50 shareholder proposals asked about fair pay, working conditions, and benefits.

Everyone Benefits When Investors Stand with Workers

Responsible investors don’t want to profit from exploitation. Many investors have already aligned their portfolios with their values via divestment, shareholder resolutions, corporate discourse, and community development investments to further workers’ rights, green manufacturing, racial and economic justice, and other issues benefiting workers and communities.

For the investors who are only interested in maximizing their profits, what is their incentive to care about workers?

Han looks at the example of union-busting tactics used by corporations historically and in the present, like at Amazon and Starbucks. Old-school management tactics say that unionized workers cost the company more, but Han points out the additional resources needed to put out legal fires and handle a PR crisis, plus the hit taken to morale of all employees.

“There’s research showing that if you develop high-quality partnerships between labor unions and management, you can have productivity gains, among other benefits,” Han says, referring to process improvements, higher morale, and less turnover.

In addition, ICCR points to the recent wave coined as The Great Resignation where people are walking away from poor treatment.

“If [companies] want to be able to grow and sustain themselves as a business, they really have to take a deeper look at what it means to ensure that workers walk in the door and stay there,” says Narine. “I think investors are recognizing that and signaling it in their vote support.”

Whatever is holding national attention—whether that be the pandemic, an investigation, debate, or exposé—is an opportunity for shareholders to enact policy change that reflects their values.

In the exasperated words of Dolly Parton, “Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living!”

The world of work is evolving, such as strictly in-office workspaces becoming hybrid-remote, to robots in the workplace. Many of today’s workers seek to bring personal interests and causes to their job.

It is possible to bring these interests in environmental and social issues to nearly any job, even if “climate” or “justice” isn’t part of the description. More than 60% of workers want their employers to act on issues like climate change, equality, and poverty, according to a 2021 study by Atlassian. Though, unfortunately, in many parts of the nation, policies or cultures can make it dangerous or even illegal to fight back against racism or speak up on climate.

If you can bring your interests to the workplace, it’s important that you do. The climate crisis is affecting people around the world and social tensions are at a high. Learning how to address these issues as best you can in your current role is a great place to start.

Start Where You Are

Ask yourself: how can you align your job with climate and social justice goals?

Look for places to make change. If you work in finance, can you move the company’s finances towards sustainable investments or switch to a community development bank or credit union? If you work in human resources, could you offer greener benefits like socially responsible retirement plan options or add goals to job descriptions that seek climate and social justice outcomes? Communications teams can help translate complex climate language into something that makes sense for their audience. Supply chain managers can seek partnerships with manufacturers that treat their warehouse workers fairly.

“Legal teams inside companies are often the liaison with the board of directors and we need ESG [environmental, social, and governance] outcomes tied to executive compensation and tied to board performance,” says Jamie Alexander, director of Drawdown Labs at Project Drawdown, a nonprofit providing science-based climate solutions to help the world reduce and draw down greenhouse gas emissions. “The more legal teams can [make] carbon reductions and other climate outcomes legally binding within the company is hugely important.”

You don’t have to work at an office to make a change. Hair stylists can recycle foils and use vegan products as Head Case Hair Studio does in Dallas, Texas. Coffee shops are hubs for conversation, so baristas can support climate conversation by putting up flyers in support of local climate events, making vegan milks the default, and providing discounts for customers that bring in reusable cups.

Some actions require approval from management. With your request, point to a 2021 report from GreenPrint that says 66% of people are willing to pay more for sustainable products. It may not be so hard to convince your boss when profits might increase. Just make sure that the products you offer are truly sustainable—do your research.

You don’t have to stop there. Addressing social tensions is possible when leading with empathy.

Listen, Amplify, and Represent

Matt Scott, director of storytelling and engagement at Project Drawdown, suggests listening to those that are historically excluded from social justice conversations. Amplifying marginalized voices forwards representation, says Scott, who knows first-hand as a Black, queer storyteller featuring underrepresented voices in the series “Drawdown’s Neighborhood.” Sometimes that may be amplifying coworkers of color, low-wage workers without safe workplace conditions down the supply chain, or interviewing underrepresented voices in an article.

“Open up those lines of communication and have conversations that allow you to better understand,” says Scott on connecting with marginalized groups. “What would be best for business and most impactful at the same time? How could you leverage your superpowers as an organization, as an employee, to make an impact?”

As a writer or filmmaker, how could your story benefit from an interview with marginalized groups? Workers in government and community affairs can look towards how a company can use its influence to support social justice policy that is informed by affected groups. Human resources professionals can offer workplace diversity trainings. Clothing and handmade goods could come with tags that say the names of artisans. Bookstore clerks can put anti-racism and local history books on display.

Mitigate Risks Through Community

No matter your role, anyone can work towards building a vibrant workplace. Conversations in the break room or check-in questions at meetings are all pulse checks on what co-workers are interested in, whether that’s a conscious choice or not. Bringing social and climate justice issues into these conversations helps normalize these topics.

“This work is hard to do alone. There’s this fear of, ‘What will my supervisor say if I try to make these changes?’” says Alexander. “Having a solid group of people who are working on this together and have one another to learn from—strength in numbers is really important.”

No one should lose their job for bringing up their concerns, but it could be a risk, depending on management, and what and how you ask. Start pragmatically by outlining the benefits to the company. For example, purpose-driven companies have 40% higher workforce retention than competitors, according to a 2020 report from Deloitte. If leadership learns that climate action and social justice results in improved profits, customer loyalty, and more, they are more likely to agree.

“Center the why” when presenting arguments, says Scott. Personal examples and science-based ones appeal to the emotional and analytical sides of people. “[Make sure] folks will understand the benefit. When it comes to diversity, for example, studies have talked about and continue to talk about how diversity leads to more creative organizations and leads to more profitable organizations,” he says.

In the workplace, this may look like developing a pitch for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice trainings—you don’t have to work in human resources to ask for this. Use science-based research like the 2021 report from Catalyst that states empathetic workplaces have stronger cultures and productivity, as well as personal examples of reduced burnout and increased morale.

However, if that doesn’t work, and you opt for collective action approaches such as walkouts and strikes, developing a community is vital.

“Having folks you can turn to for support and just validate your work or speak up for the efforts you are trying to forward could go a long way,” Scott says. “It gives you a position of being more resilient in facing the challenges you could have.”

No matter what your position, ask yourself how you can forward climate outcomes and social justice in the workplace. Small solutions are just as vital as large ones—and working towards them together will bring ideas to reality.

How do you approach climate and justice concerns in your work? Email us to share your story.

Thank you to Krista Kurth, who inspired this piece.

Don’t think child labor in the US is a thing of the past. In 2022, the US Department of Labor (DOL) discovered over 100 children, aged 13-17, employed in dangerous jobs at meatpacking plants across the country by Packers Sanitation Services Incorporated (PSSI).

“This isn’t kids working at Dairy Queen for too many hours, it’s kids working in meat factories, ankle deep in blood and cleaning saws,” explains Reid Maki, director of child labor advocacy at the National Consumers League (NCL) and coordinator of the Child Labor Coalition.

The DOL reported at least three children suffered chemical burns from the caustic cleaning supplies they used. Many worked night shifts after attending school all day.

“It harkens back to a Dickensian idea of child labor,” Maki says.

Though horrifying accounts of dangerous child labor conditions may seem out of place in the 21st century United States, child labor has always been present, if hidden. Exploiting children for labor has followed the familiar thread of targeting the most vulnerable, from enslaved African children on plantations to immigrant children and families experiencing severe poverty.

In 1938, advocates for children won a victory when the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) placed limitations on child labor, like prohibiting children under 16 from working in manufacturing or mining. Later amendments introduced more restrictions, but child labor has nonetheless persisted—in 2023, the DOL found a 69% increase in illegal child employment since 2018, with over 3,800 children employed illegally, likely a significant undercount. The Child Labor Coalition estimates more than 300,000 migrant children work in agriculture alone.

States Are Racing to the Bottom

Less than a year after the PSSI investigation, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law a bill loosening child labor restrictions, by removing parental consent and age verification requirements. In the past two years, 10 states introduced or passed legislation rolling back protections for child laborers.

“Most of these bills are put forward by conservative legislators who believe in untrammeled parental rights [like allowing their children to work],” Maki says. Other legislation that claims to be about “parents’ rights” attack books in school libraries, LGBTQ+ content and speech. These are dog whistles that willfully ignore the consequences and already marginalized communities that will be hurt.

“They don’t consider the repercussions of child labor—the injury rates, the school dropout rates,” Maki says.

Another twisted justification for allowing child workers is labor shortages, due to factors like long-covid keeping people home sick, covid deaths, and a decline in immigration during the height of the pandemic. Also, the most dangerous jobs are often underpaid, which makes it difficult to attract adult workers, opening the door for exploiting children.

Maki speculates that legislators who support loosening child labor laws do so because they see it as a way to address labor shortages.

“Don’t address labor shortages on the backs of teen workers, especially in dangerous workplaces. Instead, raise wages and hire better-equipped adults,” Maki says.

Agriculture is a dangerous industry—and one that benefits from FLSA exemptions. In agriculture, children as young as 16 can work hazardous jobs like operating a forklift or handling and applying chemicals for over eight hours a day.

The United States Government Accountability Office found in 2018 that more than half of all work-related deaths among children occur in agriculture, though the industry employs less than 6% of all child workers (again, likely an undercount).

“We’re particularly concerned about kids working in tobacco fields because the crop is toxic,” Maki says. “Kids wear black plastic garbage bags while they work in oppressive heat to protect themselves.”

One such kid was Jose Velasquez, who immigrated to the US with his mother from Mexico when he was ten months old. When he was eight, he began working on a blueberry farm and switched to a tobacco field at 13.

“A typical day spanned from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with an hour for lunch,” Velasquez, now a college sophomore, recalls. “Tobacco is grown in the summer and North Carolina is a humid state. Some couldn’t even eat or keep down lunch because they were so dehydrated and exhausted.”

It wasn’t just physical hardships, either. Velasquez remembers the pain of returning home so exhausted, he didn’t have the energy to play with his friends during the sun-filled summer evenings.

A typical day spanned from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with an hour for lunch. Tobacco is grown in the summer and North Carolina is a humid state. Some couldn’t even eat or keep down lunch because they were so dehydrated and exhausted.

—Jose Velasquez, who worked as a child harvesting tobacco in North Carolina

Children Face Unfair, Unequal Treatment

It’s no coincidence that in the 1930s when the FLSA was written, and agriculture was exempt from various restrictions, Black people disproportionately worked in agriculture.

In no uncertain terms, Maki states the underpinnings of child labor in agriculture are racism, stemming from slavery and now most prevalent among migrant children. Most migrant children today are Latin American, seeking asylum from countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, he says.

Mary Miller Flowers, director of policy and legislative affairs at The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, adds that these children are already coming from the margins of society, fleeing poverty, violence, and climate change displacement.

“Our narratives about teenage Black and brown boys, gang and infiltration language, all of it is coming from a racist perspective on who does and doesn’t belong,” Flowers says.

The number of unaccompanied minors arriving to the US reached a high of 130,000 in 2022. Upon arrival, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) takes responsibility for placing children with sponsors. With many children and pressure to move them quickly out of detention centers, which cannot adequately serve children’s needs, HHS caseworkers were overloaded and may have made mistakes in the vetting process for sponsors, according to a 2023 New York Times investigation.

Once on the farm, Velasquez describes a “power dynamic” that puts undocumented immigrants at further risk.
“Sometimes we worked on small family farms,” he says. “The farmer’s children, most often white, got longer breaks, got to go inside and wait for the day to cool down. We didn’t have those benefits; we were expected to work 11 hours non-stop.”

Instability also contributes to disproportionate risks of child labor exploitation. UNICEF, for example, reported a correlation between a rise in poverty and an increase in child labor.

The COVID lockdown accelerated these conditions. While many families faced tight economic situations, children were resigned to remote learning. This reality made for a perfect storm for child labor as Human Rights Watch reported remote schooling and financial hardship led to more children working.

Low grades and dropout rates are intrinsically tied to how many hours a child works, according to NCL and studies that found children who work over 20 hours a week are more likely to drop out.

The Kids Need Our Help

Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) reintroduced the Children’s Act for Responsible Employment and Farm Safety of 2022 (CARE Act) before retiring at the end of the last congressional session. Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) recently reintroduced the legislation in June 2023.

The bill proposes several new federal child labor restrictions, including pesticide use and undoing agricultural exemptions. It also imposes new reporting requirements for work-related injuries and deaths of agricultural employees under 18, as well as new and more severe criminal violations and fines.

Maki is a strong advocate for steeper fines.

“The $1.5 million fine PSSI got this time is one day of revenue for them,” he says. “This was not enough of a consequence—all the owners got off scot-free even though they knew the children were there.”

This kind of work can’t be solved overnight, but Maki is committed to it: “Here we are, 80 years later [after the FLSA], and we’re still trying to fix it. At every session [of Congress], [NCL] will support a bill to raise the age that children can work until it passes.”

Don’t address labor shortages on the backs of teen workers, especially in dangerous workplaces. Instead, raise wages and hire better-equipped adults.

—Reid Maki, National Consumers League (NCL)

Systemic change is at the core of the issue, especially for migrant children.

“Family separation means children end up in more vulnerable positions and there’s very little opportunity for them to develop trusted relationships with anyone, let alone someone managing their care,” Flowers says. “The less institutionalization of children the better.”

Community and peer-based support and resources are also key.

“We don’t want the government to regularly check in on these families,” she explains, noting their inherent and understandable distrust of the government. “They should be able to access meaningful services with people they can trust, like a church or peers who have navigated this reality themselves.”

Velasquez wants people to educate themselves on the reality of child labor and make changes in their everyday lives.

“Learn what companies are profiting from child labor and don’t buy their products,” he says, recommending instead to buy Fair Trade certified and avoid meat from large corporations.

You can also contact your representatives and demand support for legislation like the CARE Act and immigration reform, report labor violations to the DOL, vote in shareholder proxy ballots, and choose socially responsible investments.

Workers across the country are fighting for similar rights and protections as decades and centuries ago. As we lift their voices, we lift our communities.

The Republican-led House Oversight Committee held a hearing this month on environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices as the result of a letter sent from 21 state attorneys general to top asset managers that warned them against using ESG considerations in their investment decisions. It’s the latest GOP attack on responsible investing and, according to Dana Milbank’s May 14 Sunday Opinion column, “The party of capitalism comes for the free market,” the free market.

Research shows that returns on socially responsible investments are on par or better than returns on investments not based on ESG principles, especially over the long term.

Legislation in Texas banning cities from contracting with banks with ESG policies cost investors an extra $303 million to $532 million in higher municipal bond interest rates. Taxpayers in Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and West Virginia could have owed up to $708 million in additional interest charges on municipal bonds because of anti-ESG laws and bills.

ESG investing seeks out information about risk and opportunity that is not necessarily reflected on a company’s balance sheet. Individual, institutional and public asset managers should be free to consider all information when making critical investment decisions. It is not the role of federal or state government to tell asset managers how to manage investments for their clients.

The extremist attorneys general opposing the freedom to invest responsibly — and the fossil fuel, firearm and mining industries supporting them — should know: This is how the free market works.

The most important thing we can do in the face of partisan attacks on ESG is to keep supporting socially responsible investing.

Cathy Cowan Becker, Washington

The writer is the responsible finance campaign director at Green America.

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

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

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

History/ Community /Social Justice

History of Juneteenth  

History of Juneteenth: Information for kids  

From Juneteenth to Reparations: Reclaiming Our Stolen Stories 

Juneteenth Virtual Toolkit – Smithsonian  

Juneteenth Foods and Traditions 

Juneteenth: Teaching Outside the Textbook 

Celebrating Juneteenth: Books from Penguin Random House 

The art and historical legacy of Juneteenth 

Economy:

How Systemic Racism Keeps Black Americans Out of Investing 

The Investing Industry Takes On Economic Justice 

Shop Black Owned: Green America  

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

Environment:

8 Black Leaders Who've Revolutionized the Climate Movement 

Black Americans’ Connection to Land Leads to Serenity 

Celebrating Juneteenth and Black Americans Contributions to Agriculture 

Events:

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

Anacostia Community Museum Juneteenth Freedom Celebration 

One DC Juneteenth 2024 Community Event 

Juneteenth NYC Festival and Summit – Virtual and in Person 

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

On June 6 a subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability will hold the second in its series of hearings against investing using Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles).

The witness list includes longtime climate deniers such as Stephen Moore of the Heritage Foundation and Jason Isaac of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, both heavily funded by fossil-fuel interests.

If this hearing is anything like the first anti-ESG hearing on May 10, it will peddle in the latest scare tactics from the far right to whip up fear while hiding their real agenda.

Testifying then were two members of the Republican Attorneys General Association: Steve Marshall of Alabama and Sean Reyes of Utah.  

“ESG is a clear and present danger to democracy,” Marshall told the committee: “An unelected cabal of global elites is using ESG to hijack our capitalist system to capture corporations and threaten the hard-earned dollars of American workers.”  

ESG is “an open conspiracy to bypass Congress and instead impose costly changes on American consumers” that would “impact everything from how we grow our food and what we eat to how we power our homes and businesses and even what kind of cars we are allowed to purchase,” Reyes said. 

Such wild conspiracy theories didn't just pop up from nowhere. It's important to understand where they come from -- and why.

Largest known political donation in U.S. history 

In April 2020, a Chicago electronics manufacturing magnate named Barre Seid worked with Leonard Leo – known for leading the Federalist Society, which pushed the U.S. Supreme Court far right – to donate all shares of his business to a newly created entity, Marble Freedom Trust, which Leo chaired. 

The business, Tripp Lite, had made a fortune by manufacturing police, fire, and ambulance lights, then producing surge protectors for home computers. After Marble Freedom Trust gained ownership, it then sold Tripp Light – reaping $1.6 billion for itself and avoiding $400 million in taxes for Seid. 

Leo stepped down from full-time leadership of the Federalist Society to become chairman of another new company called CRC Advisors, which advises and manages conservative nonprofits. Now he was aiming to remake all American society in the way he had remade the court.  

“The idea behind the network and the enterprise we built is to roll back liberal dominance in many important sectors of American life,” Leo told The New York Times. “I had a couple of decades or more of experience rolling back liberal dominance in the legal culture, and I thought it was time to take the lessons learned from that and see whether there was a way to roll back liberal dominance in other areas of American cultural, policy and political life.” 

Through Marble Freedom Trust, Leo is funding a sprawling network of interrelated organizations that work to roll back progress in a variety of areas, including reproductive rights; diversity, equity and inclusion; voting access; and climate action.  

Particularly galling to Leo is ESG. “The ESG movement is polluting our culture and assaulting the dignity and worth of people,” Leo told The Wall Street Journal. “Our enterprise stands with a growing group of Americans who are fighting to crush leftist dominance in this arena.”  

Players in the anti-ESG network 

Dozens of organizations, both old and new, are part of the anti-ESG network, funded by both Leo and other donors, notably fossil fuel corporations. In the past year alone, Marble Freedom Trust spent $183 million, funneled primarily through the Concord Fund, previously known as Judicial Crisis Network, and the 85 Fund, previously known as Judicial Education Project. The trust still has $1.2 billion on hand. 

Here are some groups that benefit from the ant-ESG largesse – can you spot the themes in italics? 

• CRC Advisors. Chaired by Leo, CRC Advisors is the paid consultant and sometimes funder for many of the other groups in the network, as well as for corporations such as Chevron. CRC Advisors has made $43 million from its clients, enriching Leo in the process.  

• Consumers Research. Founded in 1929 to test and report on consumer products, Consumers Research split from the better-known Consumer Reports in 1981 and became a watchdog of liberal causes. Turbocharged with funding from Leo, Consumers Research has spent almost $10 million on an anti-ESG campaign, personally attacking BlackRock Chair and CEO Larry Fink and pushing Vanguard to drop out of the Net Zero Asset Managers Alliance. They also issue “woke alert” text messages on brands they consider to be too far left, such as Target and Bud Light.  

• State Financial Officers Foundation. Based in Shawnee, Kan., SFOF once pulled together state treasurers to discuss issues like borrowing costs and debt loads but has recently emerged as a key player in using state governments to blacklist companies that employ ESG practices. In response to President Biden’s plan to transition to clean energy, SFOF began working with other organizations that have deep ties to the fossil fuel industry to combat climate action by passing state legislation, scuttling federal appointments, and attacking ESG.  

• Republican Attorneys General Association. Funded in part by Koch Industries, Chevron, and Exxon, RAGA has sued to stop the Department of Labor rule allowing ESG investing, told 53 top asset managers that ESG investing may violate the law, and motioned to stop BlackRock from voting shares in utilities that adopt ESG investing. They also filed a brief supporting Trump’s claims of election fraud and rallied Trump supporters to the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. 

• Heritage Foundation. A prominent conservative think tank funded by the Koch brothers and long opposed to climate action, Heritage has recently turned its attention to ESG. They produce articles, podcasts, and a website attacking ESG as a threat to the American way of life, and fund ads portraying an oil driller denied a bank loan because he doesn’t identify as nonbinary. 

Other anti-ESG organizations include: 

• American Legislative Exchange Council. A longtime corporate bill mill funded in part by the Koch brothers, ALEC endorsed model legislation that would ban states from using ESG criteria in pension investments. Bills were introduced in 33 states this year, passing in five. ALEC also considered model legislation that would forbid states from contracting with companies that practice ESG, in some cases mandating a blacklist of firms that restrict or boycott fossil fuels. Although ALEC did not officially endorse the contracts legislation, bills were introduced in 40 states, passing in five.  

• Heartland Institute. Another climate denial think tank, Heartland has also recently turned its attention to ESG. Its April report claims ESG threatens individual liberty, free markets, and the U.S. economy. Heartland has long hosted an annual climate misinformation conference, now featuring anti-ESG speakers such as Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks, who compared ESG to Nazism.  

• Texas Public Policy Foundation. Heavily funded by fossil-fuel interests, TPPF wrote the 2021 Texas law banning state agencies from doing business with companies they claim boycott the fossil fuel industry. The law, aimed at BlackRock, became ALEC model legislation and was passed in West Virginia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, and Kentucky. Studies have found these laws cost states hundreds of millions of dollars in higher interest rates. 

Other organizations in the anti-ESG orbit include National Center for Public Policy Research and National Legal and Policy Center, which file anti-ESG shareholder resolutions and publish anti-ESG proxy voting advice; Teneo Network, a Leo-organized group of elected officials, journalists and public affairs professionals who aim to roll back what they see as liberal dominance; and 1792 Exchange, which has ties to Cleta Mitchell and Ken Blackwell, who worked with Trump to overturn the 2020 election.  

What do all these groups have in common? They want to roll back progress on clean energy and human rights because they profit from a system based on exploiting workers and extracting fossil fuels. 

What are they doing with all that money? 

Center for Media and Democracy, Documented, and InfluenceMap have charted how these anti-ESG groups are tied together. They sit on each other’s boards and staff, sponsor and speak at each other’s conferences, and strategize with each other on legislation and administrative rules. They publish reports, post websites, testify at hearings, and issue letters to government officials and corporations. 

Among their activities:  
 

• On the federal level, pressure from state treasurers pushed two of Biden’s nominees to withdraw: Saule Omarova for Comptroller of the Treasury, who came under attack for saying fossil fuel bankruptcies would help fight climate change, and Sarah Bloom Raskin for the Federal Reserve because she argued financial regulators should crack down on climate risks. 
   
• On the state level, a parade of representatives from many of these organizations have testified at hearings on proposed anti-ESG legislation. Of the 162 bills and resolutions in 37 states, 20 have passed so far with three more expected, and 64 have died, including all bills in 10 states.  
   
• On the business level, state attorneys general sent a letter telling members of the Net Zero Insurance Alliance they may be violating antitrust laws. Meanwhile, state treasurers sent BlackRock a letter demanding answers to nine pages of questions about proxy voting. 

The pressure on BlackRock is having some effect. Fink has been backtracking on public discussion of climate.

In 2020 BlackRock CEO Larry Fink's annual letter mentioned climate 29 times. “Climate risk is investment risk,” he wrote. “In the near future – and sooner than most anticipate – there will be a significant reallocation of capital” because of it. Now BlackRock is backing off its 2050 commitments and touting its fossil-fuel investments.  

BlackRock is not alone. In a classic example of green hushing, Coca-Cola CEO James Quincy explained that while right-wing attacks have made public discussion of ESG toxic, the company isn’t going to stop ESG practices. “I’m just going to stop saying ‘ESG’,” he said.  

Third stage of climate denial 

The anti-ESG movement may seem sudden and virulent, but it does not come out of nowhere. Rather, it can be understood as a new stage in the long history of climate denial. As InsideClimate News and other outlets confirmed, Exxon knew as early as the 1960s that burning fossil fuels would cause global warming; yet instead of changing their business model, they launched a campaign of climate denial. 

The “Exxon Echo Chamber” – a group of public relations agents and lobbyists from the tobacco and oil industries and Exxon-funded think tanks including ALEC and Heartland Institute – pushed the Senate to pass the Byrd-Hagel Resolution in 1997 that prevented ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. 

A decade later, the “Kochtopus” – a network of Koch-funded PR agents, lawyers, lobbyists, academics, think tanks, PACs and politicians – created an astroturf campaign to defeat the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which would have established a cap-and-trade program in the United States.  

Now, another decade-plus later, we are at a similar crossroads in which the fossil fuel industry has joined with conservative activist Leonard Leo to defeat what it sees as another threat to its profits – ESG – by attaching climate action to broad culture war controversies on race, gender, and sexuality. 

Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, Brian Schatz and Martin Heinrich explain why this is happening: 

“The underlying problem is that the fossil fuel industry is running up against a 'risk wall,' where long-established economic risks associated with climate change are now sufficiently clear and present to trigger ordinary risk-reporting requirements in financial markets. Rather than reduce their emissions, or face up to the risks that they cause, the fossil fuel industry is trying to break and remake traditional risk reporting to selectively remove reporting of climate-related risks.” 

The underlying problem is that the fossil fuel industry is running up against a 'risk wall,' where long-established economic risks associated with climate change are now sufficiently clear and present to trigger ordinary risk-reporting requirements in financial markets."

-- Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, Brian Schatz and Martin Heinrich

In past stages of climate denial campaigns, the fossil fuel industry tried to rewrite the science. Now that the climate crisis is impossible to deny, it is trying to rewrite our economic system by treating the material risks of climate chaos as if they are political and subjective, when they are fact. 

ESG train has left the station 

Although the Leo-funded anti-ESG campaign is pushing some businesses to stop talking about their commitments to sustainability and equity, in many ways the ESG train has left the station. Already $8.4 trillion – or 1 in 8 dollars under asset management – use sustainable investing strategies, according to US SIF: The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment.  

Moreover, the consensus among investment managers is that ESG works. As journalist Peter McKillop recounts, ESG is thriving: “85% of investment managers and 96% of S&P 500 companies use ESG to mitigate risk, find opportunities, and build profits. Among U.S. institutional investors, 81% plan to increase ESG allocations, boosting more sustainable assets under management 84% by 2026.” 

That means the most effective way we can fight the anti-ESG campaign is to keep voting with our dollars. Leonard Leo and the fossil fuel industry have a lot of money, but what they don’t have is people. By voting with your dollars, you are telling businesses that the people who buy their products and services want them to use their financial assets to create a more sustainable and equitable world. 

Take action! 

When consumers and investors work together to encourage companies to adopt climate-friendly policies and support workers and human rights, it has an impact – and makes companies more profitable over time. Here are multiple ways you can urge companies to improve corporate responsibility: 

Banking 

• If you are still using one of the big banks, now is the time to move your money. Here are 10 steps for breaking up with your megabank and switching to a community bank or credit union. 
• Ensure your transactions support community development and climate solutions by finding a socially and environmentally responsible credit card. 
• Tell 44 executives at the Big 4 banks to stop bankrolling the climate crisis. 

Shareholding 

• If you own stock, you have a voice in how companies are run. Learn how you can engage in shareholder activism. 
• Be sure to vote your proxy ballots on 2023 shareholder resolutions to demand better business practices.  

Investing 

• Ensure that your investment portfolio does not support fossil fuels by finding fossil-free financial planners, mutual funds, and other products and services.  
• Check out our guide to adding socially and environmentally responsible investment options to your employer’s retirement plan. 

For more information on responsible finance and community investing, check out our Guide to Socially Responsible Investing and Better Banking (to be updated this summer). 

Spread the word! Share information about the fossil-fuel driven attack on ESG and how it harms us all. You can start by sharing this blog series and social posts and articles about the true motives of the anti-ESG crusaders who want to keep us addicted to fossil fuels and fight basic human rights. 

Credits 

For more information about the anti-ESG campaign and the groups behind it, check out the work of these tireless research organizations: 

• Center for Media and Democracy, especially its website sfofexposed.org, as well as its many articles on the State Financial Officers Foundation, American Legislative Exchange Council, Heartland Institute, Heritage Foundation, Republican Attorneys General Association, and more. 
• Documented, especially its research on the State Financial Officers Foundation.  
• Grassrootbeer Investigations, founded by Connor Gibson, which has been tracking anti-ESG legislation in the states and documenting state hearings. 

Masks and distancing remain as COVID cements its presence, but the world still calls. Traveling is happening again, as weddings resume and that private rental on the beach beckons.

But while traveling is a great way to appreciate the world, or, more safely, your city or state, by immersing yourself in diverse lands, histories, and traditions. It can also wreak havoc with carbon footprints, disruption of local ecosystems, and more.

But that unexplored neighborhood in your city is calling, and you can answer—sustainably.

Travel Slow

You’ve been anxiously waiting to stretch those travel legs and we understand the desire to hit the ground running. But while tour groups may encourage thirteen countries in just seven days, sometimes the best way to take it all in is by slowing it all down. Rather than exploring a new place in the fast lane, stop by the visitor center or do an online search for local walking, biking, and hiking tours to travel slowly and sustainably.

Carolyn Crouch, founder of Washington Walks, the first company to offer walking tours of our nation’s capital, says it plainly: “The beauty of a walking tour, apart from the fact that it is inherently sustainable, is that it’s also slow travel.”

By exploring a new place on foot, tourism becomes more intimate as you consider the immediate locale around you, whether that be in local restaurants or historic neighborhoods. “I love that about walking tours,” says Crouch, whose tours may take two hours to travel a single mile. “It allows you to take a concentrated experience of a city home with you.”

Planning and Packing

When it comes to travel, planning and packing is part of the fun, so before you even set sail, consider the small ways you can make your next adventure greener.

Packing a reusable water bottle and toiletries (bar shampoos and soaps from Tangie and Vermont Soaps travel especially well) will save money and reduce plastic use. Before you leave, research public transit, and as always, living a more eco-friendly life revolves around habit-building, so re-adjust the thermostat and turn off the lights before leaving your hotel room for the day, and pass on linen and towel service when you can.

Make sure you also pack plenty of masks for whenever you’re using transportation or in crowded spaces.

Stay Local

When visiting a new city, you can find joy—and sustainable travel—in getting to know a place from the ground up.

“You could do something quite extraordinary if you said, ‘I’m going to dine at locally owned places, I’m going to see about accommodations in a home or a small inn operated by locals,’” Crouch says. “Then you’re really contributing to the local economy.”

For example, if you’re heading to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, consider a stay at Montfair Resort Farm. Further north, you can find Thyme in the Country B&B in the Hudson Valley region of New York.

Voting with your dollar is not a concept that only exists where you live. As a visitor, you can give back to the city welcoming you by supporting small businesses, local restaurants, and experiences that pay into the community.

Instead of a magnet that was made overseas from a busy tourist shop, find souvenirs at local brick and mortars or packable food from a farmers market.

Watch Out for Your Footprint

You’ve heard of your carbon footprint, but what about every other footprint you leave wherever you go?
A crucial consideration when traveling is how you will leave a place, including its ecosystem and residents. Strive to leave a positive footprint or, in many cases, no footprint at all.

“Sometimes you can’t help it,” Crouch concedes. “You must get on that motorcoach or plane to get from A to B.”

Do your part, then, to try and offset those emissions by making greener choices elsewhere and buying carbon offsets if you can afford to. If you’re renting a car and can afford it, opt for an electric rental or, as Crouch would encourage, walk as much as you’re able. Public transportation and rental bikes are also fun options.

Finally, understand your presence’s impact on the people and living creatures of your destination.

Travelers can leave bitterness amongst locals when there is a lack of courtesy, which is why it’s important to first and foremost respect wherever it is you’re traveling to and all the living beings who inhabit that place. Especially now, this includes considering the health and safety of the communities you’re going to.

“Research tours and experiences before booking and understand how they impact the local ecological environment, but also the local population, who plays a role in the tourism industry,” Crouch advises.

Advocate for Sustainable Travel

Choosing sustainable travel doesn’t end when the trip is over. Based on what you learned or experienced, start conversations with friends and family, and inspire others to do more. If you have feedback for a restaurant or hotel you patronized, get in touch with them—for example, Crouch has written to accommodations to ask that they stop using Styrofoam and plastic dishware.

Traveling is already overwhelming without considering sustainability, but with the right knowledge, you, too, can become an eco-friendly traveler!

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have a long history in the US with major contributions to technology, science, and entrepreneurship.

Today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest-growing ethnic group in the US. The vast diversity of this group of people, spanning from India to Hawaii and Korea to the Polynesian Islands, means that their businesses are informed by an array of cultures and experiences.

However, AAPI has the largest intragroup income inequality of any racial group. Because AAPI people have many different countries of origin, their reasons for immigrating can range from refugee status to work visas. And facing persistent discrimination can adversely affect their ability to accumulate wealth.

In fact, the struggles of AAPI are often invisible. Only New Jersey and Illinois require teaching Asian American history in public schools. As a result, 1/3^rd of all Americans are unaware of the anti-Asian racism in the US. Additionally, the model minority myth—the false idea that certain racial groups are high-achievers and others are not—hides the systemic racism that AAPI face.

To combat systemic racism and recent acts of violence, it’s important to support AAPI people, communities, and businesses. Here are four ways to support Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in your community and beyond:

Buy from Asian- and Pacific Islander-owned Businesses 

Spending money at AAPI-owned businesses is one of the most effective ways to support economic prosperity and fight income inequality.  

At Green America, we call this tactic “voting with your dollar”—essentially, putting your money in causes and companies that align with your values. Whether that be shopping at your city’s Chinatown or Little Tokyo, or donating to AAPI-led nonprofits, your dollars will support AAPI families and communities.  

Search “AAPI businesses near me” online to find options in your town—there are many articles listing collectively hundreds of companies both big and small. Google also offers an “Asian-owned” label for business profiles, which can help in your search. 

ChowBus is a meal delivery app, much like GrubHub or UberEats, but it’s for authentic Asian-owned food and restaurants. So far it’s only available in some US cities, such as Chicago, Seattle, and Boston. 

Support AAPI Organizations 

Donating to organizations such as Stop AAPI Hate, AAPI Equity Alliance, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice, is valuable to ending hate speech and crimes. These groups work to support AAPI people as well as enact legislation to protect and empower communities. For example, in 2021, President Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Bill to address the rise of hate crimes during the pandemic, with a particular focus on Asian American victims. 

Donating to community organizations that work to preserve culture is also important. With over 75 countries represented in the AAPI umbrella, there are hundreds of languages and dialects that may be lost over time. Cultural organizations, such as the Filipino Language and Cultural School of Jacksonville, offers conversational Tagalog and cooking classes. 

Partner with AAPI-owned Businesses 

If you are a business, try partnering with local AAPI-owned businesses. By letting your customers know that you are partnering with the AAPI-owned business, you are helping to make AAPI-owned businesses visible. For example, Ti Café in Denver, Colorado is a Vietnamese-owned coffee shop that hosts themed weeks several times a year, where all the drinks and pastries are themed around an anime show or movie. The owners—three sisters—partner with other AAPI-owned bakeries for their pastries and snacks for their themed foods. 

Additionally, partnering with AAPI-owned businesses builds equity. AAPI people are the least likely to seek help from institutions, turning to personal resources like family and friends for financing. Using your resources as a business to partner with and highlight AAPI-owned businesses is a great way to support.  

Get to Know the Different Cultures Within “AAPI” 

AAPI people come from 75 different countries, representing just as many cultures, traditions, and languages. Acknowledging diversity is important to dispel the monolith myth and invisibility problems that AAPI people face. 

One of the best ways to get to know a different culture is through food. Food can demonstrate the type of climate a people live in as well as histories of trade and colonization, but most importantly, the practice of breaking bread opens room for conversation and friendship. Whether it be through an AAPI festival in your town or visiting your local Little Seoul, seeking out food at AAPI-owned restaurants is a wonderful way to familiarize yourself with a different culture. 

Other ways to learn about the diversity of AAPI people is to attend events in your town or state catered to different Asian countries. Filipino American History Month is in October and Native Hawaiian History Month is in September, for example, which can include family-friendly events like dance shows, food festivals, and language classes. 

Purchase from Companies that Care About Workers 

The majority of the world’s garments come from Asian manufacturers and  the industry employs some 60 million workers. While public pressure has helped in securing better wages, the reality is that workers are still vulnerable and experiencing poor working conditions. Long hours, lack of safety measures, and violations of rights still occur in the workplace. 

We can do our part to prevent this by shopping at companies that offer clothes that are made by workers in safe workplace conditions that are paid fairly. Find them at GreenPages.org  

Stop Anti-Asian Hate 

Beyond spending money in support of AAPI businesses and communities, speaking up against hate is crucial to ending discrimination and racism. Asians are often scapegoated in times of crisis, from the Japanese internment camps during WWII to the increase in crimes against Asian Americans during COVID-19. Developing our knowledge of historical patterns and the AAPI experience can help us collectively move away from the invisibility problem and racism that AAPI people face. 

Reading is a great way to start. Here are some books and pieces that we recommend: 

1. Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong. This book is an honest exploration of the self-hatred Asian Americans feel, neither white enough or black enough to be in conversations about racial identities, and validates the Asian American experience.  

2. The Making of Asian America: A History by Erika Lee. This book describes the history of Asian Americans, from the first Asians in the Americas to the 21^st century experience. It helps to fill the gap of AAPI history that is lacking in educational institutions.  

3. How White Women Can Move Towards Anti-Racism. This piece in an interview with the authors of What’s Up With White Women: Unpacking Sexism and White Privilege in the Pursuit of Racial Justice. Ilsa Govan and Tilman Smith give us a sneak peak of the lessons they’ve learned through experience in working towards anti-racism for all races in the US. 

While these tips are a place to start, don’t let it be the end of your education and support of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Celebrating AAPI joy and successes is important, too—together, we can move towards a more equitable and sustainable world for all people. 

In 2024, Pride Month means summer is here—stores fill up with rainbow merch and you might celebrate with some drag queens or throw confetti at a local parade. But the month isn’t about rainbow capitalism, it's about liberation, an active fight for people in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities. We use the acronym LGBTQ+ at Green America, adding the + to symbolize the many identities, such as intersex or asexual, not all named under LGBT, that fall under the queer umbrella.   

LGBTQ+ people have always existed, but in American culture, those identities were not just unaccepted but criminalized throughout history. There was a turning point in June 1969, when patrons, led by transgender women of color, at the New York City gay bar The Stonewall Inn fought back when police attacked them during a routine raid of gay bars. Protests where activists demanded the right to live openly popped up in New York and around the country. The first pride marches took place during the anniversary of the riots, in June 1970, in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. In 2015, the Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states. Stonewall was named a national monument in 2016, and for the 50^th anniversary of the riot in 2019, five million LGBTQ+ people and allies marched in New York. Finally, the city’s police commissioner gave a formal apology for police actions that night in 1969.  

Now, Pride is celebrated in cities across the country and the world during different months of the year, besides June, which was first named Pride Month nationally by President Clinton in 1999. The community recognizes those who paved the way for living proudly and openly, such as Marsha P. Johnson, a drag queen and founding member of the Gay Liberation Front, who was one of the prominent figures of the activism following Stonewall. Also recognized in these events are the leaders and members of each LGBTQ+ community, who come from all different backgrounds and identities. 

Today, though being LGBTQ+ and out is more common and accepted than ever, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is on the rise, which comes alongside homophobic and transphobic individuals with large public platforms. The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking 490 anti-LGBT+ laws in the 2023 legislative session alone, which disproportionally target transgender people and LGBTQ+ youth. Trans people and LGBTQ+ youth are also likely to face hate, bullying, and violence in their lives if they are not accepted by their families and communities. According to The Trevor Project, “LGBTQ youth are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society.” The Trevor Project provides free and immediate crisis counseling by chat, phone, or text for LGBTQ+ young people (and will not turn people away due to age). The Trans Lifeline is run by and for trans people and provides peer support, even for people who are not in crisis or not sure they are trans.  

As with all heritage months, we celebrate our differences, acknowledge historical victories and setbacks, and fight for justice for people who may be of different backgrounds than oneself. This month brings us together to remember, honor, and be inspired by LGBTQ+ pride and history as well as the countless individuals of those backgrounds who have made tremendous contributions to our country. We also highlight the continued fight for equality. Over 1.5 million people aged 13+ in the US identify as transgender - they are our brothers, sisters, neighbors, friends, teachers, colleagues, and beyond - and they deserve to live in a safe, loving, and just world.

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

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

History/Community 

Untraditional Bonds, Unconditional Care 

Library of Congress: The History of Pride 

How historians are documenting the lives of transgender people 

Library of Congress – Pride Month History 

Economy 

Why LGBTQ Inclusivity is Good for Business 

LGBTQ ECONOMIC SECURITY  

America’s LGBT Economy Report 

Social Justice 

Take Action Against Trans Hate in Your State 

Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures in 2024 

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

PFLAG: Join the Fight 

The Art of Queer Joy 

The Risk of Gentrifying Queerness 

Environment 

Queering Outdoor Spaces Heals People and the Earth  

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

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

Why Climate Justice Must Include LGBTQ+ Justice 

Events

DC Pride - Capital Pride 2024 Celebration - Capital Pride Alliance 

NYC Pride - NYC Pride 

Chicago Pride - 2024 Chicago Pride Parade | Parade Organizers (pridechicago.org) 

Atlanta Pride - Atlanta Pride – Official Site of the Atlanta Pride Committee 

Charlotte Pride - Home - Charlotte Pride 

Twin Cities Pride - Twin Cities Pride (tcpride.org) 

Houston Pride - The 46th Annual Official Houston LGBT+ Pride Celebration - Pride Houston®| The Official Houston Pride® Celebration (pridehouston365.org) 

Austin Pride - Pride 2024 – The Austin Pride Foundation 

San Francisco Pride - San Francisco Pride Parade and Celebration (sfpride.org) 

LA Pride - LA Pride Festival & Parade 2024 – LA Pride 

Portland Pride - Portland Pride | Portland, OR 

Seattle Pride - Home | Seattle Pride 

Denver Pride - DENVER PRIDE: June 22-23, 2024 

Boston Pride - Boston Pride For The People 

If your city isn’t listed above, find more info here: Gay Pride Calendar 2023 (this says 2023 but links to a page that’s up to date – so we can just leave off the 2023) 

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

Virtual Events: 

PRIDE: A Celebration of Love, Resistance, and Empowerment PRIDE: A Celebration of Love, Resistance, and Empowerment. Tickets, Wed, Jun 5, 2024 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite 

"Celebrating Progress and Centering Joy" "Celebrating Progress and Centering Joy" Tickets, Thu, Jun 6, 2024 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite 

Brave/Safe Space Training Brave/Safe Space Training Tickets, Thu, Jun 20, 2024 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite 

Books:

We are Everywhere By Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown 

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin 

Fairest by Meredith Talusan 

How to Live Free in a Dangerous World by Shayla Lawson 

Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni 

All My Mother’s Lovers by Ilana Masad 

Tomorrow Will Be Different by Sarah McBride 

First Time for Everything by Henry Fry 

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe 

Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde 

All About Love by bell hooks 

Angels in America by Tony Kushner 

Transgender History by Susan Stryker 

A Queer History of the United States by Michael Bronski 

Tomorrow Will Be Different by Sarah McBride 

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

Hours: 32 hours per week/4 days 
Salary: $72,000 - $80,000 
Grant Track: This is an 18-month position with opportunity for extension 
Reports to: Soil Carbon Initiative Managing Director 
Benefits: Excellent benefits including health care, dental care, paid leave, socially responsible retirement plan, friendly work environment, 4-day work week 
Application Deadline: June 15, 2023, details below 
Apply to: scihiring@greenamerica.org with cover letter, resume and writing sample  

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY: 

Green America is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a just and sustainable society by harnessing economic power for positive change.  

The Soil Carbon Initiative (SCI) is an outcomes-based, scientific, agricultural commitment and verification program designed to help farmers and supply chains measure improvements in soil health and scale the adoption of regenerative agriculture across food and fiber acres. The SCI Company Program empowers food and fiber brands, processors, aggregators, and other supply chain participants to advance regenerative outcomes through their support of farms in the program.  

We are seeking an experienced finance specialist with knowledge of federally funded agricultural conservation programs, technical assistance, and regenerative management. This role involves developing and disseminating educational materials, templates, and training, and providing targeted farmer support. The Finance Specialist will also play an integral role in managing, expanding, and evolving the SCI Farm Transition Fund, which has committed over half a million dollars in regenerative transition finance to date. The Finance Specialist will collaborate closely with the rest of the SCI team to build relationships of trust and respect as we deliver outstanding support to a diverse set of stakeholders across the country. 

SCI team members can choose to work remotely or in our Washington, DC office. This position will involve occasional travel to Network meetings, conferences and business cultivation meetings, staff training, and other purposes. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The Farm Finance Specialist will work closely with the SCI team, as well as our organizational partners in the farm community, to expand farmer access to transition finance as they pursue their soil health and regenerative goals. Responsibilities include: 

• Conduct a landscape mapping of federal funding opportunities for advancing farm-level regenerative outcomes, especially via Inflation Reduction Act funds and related sources 
• Work with SCI farmers and partners to understand obstacles and opportunities for funding the regenerative transition on-farm 
• Contribute to the management and evolution of the SCI Farm Transition Fund, including by seeking new and expanded sources of funding, and developing impactful models for maximizing fund impact 
• Map and assess existing technical assistance resources available to farmers and develop guidance on accessing this support 
• Disseminate findings through various channels, including member meetings, newsletters, webinars, and other communication platforms. 
• Develop new communications resources, such as webinars and guides, to facilitate farmers' understanding of funding opportunities and technical assistance. 
• Provide application templates and assist farmers in compiling the necessary information for their funding applications 
• Provide direct coaching and application assistance to a limited number of farmers seeking federal funds to support their farm transition 
• Organizational Support: The success of our work and the strength of our organization depend on the voluntary participation of staff members from all levels of the organization in various cross-departmental teams, in addition to the core responsibilities of each staff position. While staff members are not required to participate in a voluntary team every year, we do depend on volunteers throughout the year for teams such as: Operating Plan & Budget Team; Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Team; Pulse Survey Team; and our annual in-person staff gathering. 
• Other duties as assigned 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• 5+ years' experience working with farmers and/or farm technical assistance providers to advance soil health and conservation outcomes. 
• Experience with fundraising and grant-writing, including for federally funded programs. 
• Strong knowledge of USDA-NRCS granting programs, including EQIP and CSP.   
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex topics and information into easily digestible educational materials. 
• A passion for and strong knowledge of regenerative agriculture. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with internal and external audiences 
• Strong technology skills, including videoconferencing and website platforms (e.g., Squarespace), Microsoft office tools, with mastery of PowerPoint, and the ability to pick up a variety of data/project management platforms. 
• Demonstrates a high degree of adaptability to work on a rapidly growing team 
• Creative approach to problem-solving  

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

HOW TO APPLY: 

Please email your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to scihiring@greenamerica.org  Applications are due by June 15, 2023 and will be considered on a rolling basis.  

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

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.

During Jewish American Heritage Month, we pay tribute to Jewish Americans who helped  make our country what it is today. Jewish people have a broad range of life experiences, coming from different countries, ethnicities, and all walks of life. While there are different ways of identifying as Jewish, according to Pew, Jewish people, both those practicing Judaism as a religion and nonpracticing people who consider themselves Jewish because of family, culture, or ethnicity, make up 7.5 million Americans.  

Jewish American heritage month originated in April 1980, by President Jimmy Carter, who acknowledged that specific month of 1980 had significance as the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Solidarity Sunday for Soviet Jewry, Israeli Independence Day, and the Days of Remembrance of Victims and Survivors of the Holocaust. The week was expanded to several weeks and finally to the month of May in 2006 by President George W. Bush. 

Jewish people have been present in the US since the colonization of the country and by the time of its founding, and as immigration from Europe increased, Jewish communities grew stronger in many American cities. Jewish people have faced dangerous and deadly Anti-Semitism throughout the course of American history to the present day. At the same time, Jewish Americans have created vibrant communities across the country and also faced concerted efforts for learning English and assimilating.  

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

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

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

Holiday Background & Social Justice: 

Jewish American heritage month 

14 Ways to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month 

18 Ways to Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month 

Keshet: Works for the full equality of all LGBTQ Jews and our families in Jewish life 

Ken Burns: The US and the Holocaust 

Reform Judaism: Racial Justice 

Jews for Racial Justice 

Economy and Labor: 

Dayenu: Tell Big Banks – Move your Dough 

Jewish Center for Justice: Labor and Economic Justice Work 

Environment: 

Repairing Our World: Jewish Environmentalism through Text, Tradition, and Activism 

Dayenu: The Jewish Movement to Confront the Climate Crisis 

Regenerating Traditions in Growing 

If you are looking at our profile, you are curious about what it means to invest according to your values. For the past decade Longwave has pursued investment returns through a scientific approach and repeatable process. With our 2023 merger with JSA Sustainable Wealth Management, a firm with 30 years experience in values based and impact investing, we have brought together the heart and mind. Through this depth of knowledge and experience, Longwave has created portfolios can help you do well while doing good.

Our ESG Investing Principles:

• Make an authentic contribution to the ESG space. We focus on only the most devout and rigorous ESG solutions. 

• Focus and capture all tracked ESG categories, not just one. 

• Use the weight of our capital as a voice for structural change, including using our voting power to make real change.

We may be a great fit if you see yourself in the following description: People in our client family care about leaving a positive legacy, whether it’s with their children, their community or in the creative equity of the world. Their sense of curiosity drives them to travel, explore, teach, heal, create and advocate. Work is both a passion and a means to share their time and resources with the people and activities they care deeply about.  

We hope to hear from you soon!