Invest your money to create the world you want
This inspiration for this post came from an unlikely source…a survey.
One of the mutual fund companies where I invest is Calvert Group which is a strong advocate of Socially Responsible Investing (or SRI), which is defined by the Social Investment Forum as “Integrating personal values and societal concerns with investment decisions.” Basically the survey was inviting shareholder input on policy changes that would impact the types of energy companies in which Calvert would consider investing. Near the end of the survey I was nearly moved to tears when I read the proposed policy change that Calvert is considering (see below; emphasis mine).
“PROPOSED: We evaluate overall environmental performance, including compliance with environmental regulations. We favor companies that find opportunities to mitigate their environmental footprint, have better-than-average environmental records relative to their industry peers, and are responsive to stakeholders.
Furthermore, we assess corporate-wide sustainability strategies and solutions that go well beyond regulatory compliance, such as integrating environmental factors into product design, corporate management, and governance. Calvert actively seeks investment in companies that are addressing the climate change crisis and are advancing renewables and other sustainable energy choices. This approach compels us to consider power companies that may have diversified energy mixes, including nuclear power, and to invest in such companies only if they are leaders in renewable energy and energy efficiency and at the same time maintain strong records on safety and security.”
All the statements in bold indicate some of the specific things that inspired me about this proposed new policy. To me it’s such a powerful feeling to know that the money I earn can go out into the world and work for me (and the causes I support) in a way that is in direct alignment with my values.
Do Money & Values Mix?
Many people will tell you that successful businesses can’t be “green” or that to “get ahead” you’ll have to put profit ahead of purpose. I disagree…and I do so from my own personal experience. When I “profit” by buying less expensive goods that were made by child laborers, the loss is much greater than my gain. When I shop at big box stores instead of my locally-owned merchants, my community pays a price. When I tell myself that to build my nest egg I’ll have to invest in companies like Dow or GE or Lockheed Martin, I’m denying that my nest will be fouled by the time I’m ready to enjoy it. Thank goodness I’ve figured this out for myself and have a husband whose values align completely with mine (In fact, he’s just spent a few days with former Vice President, Al Gore, being trained to give the “An Inconvenient Truth” presentation that Mr. Gore made famous in his film of the same name.).
There are many things in our world over which I have no direct control. Many people tend to think that investing is one of these things. With SRI, you’ll find that your voice counts. Your money can work for you, support the work of conscious companies around the globe, and create the world you long to see. Here are some links if you’d like to learn more about Socially Responsible Investing.
- Social Investment Forum
- Social Funds
- Calvert’s introduction to socially responsible investing
- GreenMoney Journal
- SRI info in Wikipedia
- Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
If you have any personal anecdotes to share, please add your two cents worth!
2 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post.
| TrackBack URI
You can also bookmark
this on del.icio.us or check the cosmos
Fab 5 on Friday 01/12/07…
5 Fabulous posts from this week in the blogosphere. So many to choose from, so little time.
Stephanie encourages us to embrace a New Year theme rather than a list of resolutions. “A theme actually acts as an umbrella and can encompass ALL areas o…
Trackback by Balanced Life Center — January 12, 2007 @ 12:08 am
Hey Shonnie,
It’s so much more fun to get my quarterly reports when I know the money has helped grow the future I want to live in!
I also wanted to remind folks that a great way to invest our money in the future we desire is to give to organizations that are bringing about solutions to market driven problems. For example, Dogwood Alliance, is ending unsustainable forest practices by challenging corporations to stand accountable for their impacts on the special forests of the South. Forests are vitally important to reducing global warming, providing habitat for migratory birds, producing soil and clean water. Now that’s something to invest in!
Comment by Michelle Smith — January 17, 2007 @ 3:47 pm