Vanguard is one of the world’s largest asset managers, handling the retirement savings of millions of Americans. Its mission is to help people save for the future. At the same time, it’s playing a major role directing billions in funding to carbon polluters.
Read MorePlastic pollution on land and water has risen in prominence dramatically as an environmental issue in the last two years as new science-based studies showed far higher rates of plastic ending up in oceans than previously believed, and institution issued blueprints for stemming that flow.
Read MoreThe energy transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean, renewable sources isn’t just coming, it’s here. Bloomberg New Energy Finance commented at an April presentation of their New Energy Outlook 2017 report.
Read MoreThe oil and gas industry has an opportunity. As climate change related destruction grows, it is clear that we must quickly reduce greenhouse gas emissions or face increasing destruction of our lives, the economy, and the environment.
Read MoreThe United Nations is holding its annual climate change conference in Bonn this week, but the tone this year is different. Driven by a growing litany of harms associated with a warming planet, global governments are getting down to the brass tacks of implementing the Paris Climate Accord.
Read MoreWatching Harvey approach from afar in August 2017, I again hoped for the best, but then the horror sunk in as friends posted photos and videos of unprecedented destruction. The National Weather Service had to develop new colors for its coding to account for the rain and floods caused by Harvey.
Read MoreAs millennial-aged employees now represent the majority of the U.S. workforce, it is increasingly important that corporate management finds ways to engage them in the company. Creating 401(k) plans which connect to their core values can be a huge advantage.
Read MoreTobacco kills or disables millions of the people who use it. So it shouldn’t be surprising that some people want to take a moral stand by divesting from Big Tobacco. They’re refusing to personally profit from corporations contributing to a public health crisis.
Read MoreThe Trump administration’s announcement to end the Clean Power Plan increases risk to investors now and into the future. Fossil-fired utilities are the source of one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. is already paying a high public health and economic price from climate change.
Read MoreMost smokers start before they’re 18. According to scientists and the world’s top health experts: 44% of new smokers start because they keep seeing it in movies. Thanks to Hollywood, tobacco is still the country’s (and the world’s) number one cause of preventable death.
Read MoreWe have followed Starbucks’ actions on cup recycling and more sustainable packaging for many years. In some ways, it is a leader in recycling and sustainability efforts on packaging. It is the only major retail coffee company to set specific recycling and materials reduction goals.
Read MoreAs California lawmakers consider legislation to strengthen the industry-managed carpet recycling program, it is helpful to take a look at the latest corporate sustainability report by Mohawk, the world’s largest flooring company and a major industry player.
Read MoreThe need to go green has been called “an inconvenient truth” — a distraction from the regular ways of doing business, and not necessarily a money-maker. Markets around the world, however, are proving that going green is a solid way of making green, too. The Carbon Clean 200 is a bi-annual report released by my colleagues at As You Sow and Corporate Knights.
Read MoreIntolerance and hatred have no place in our country, or for that matter on our planet. We condemn the fear based violent actions by a minority of self-proclaimed racists. Their violence and anger must be met with unity by those who believe in equality, justice, and human rights for all.
Read MoreHave you eaten an Oreo cookie recently? Or a frozen pizza, or a bowl of ice cream? Do you use soap, or laundry detergent, or cosmetic products? Then you’re likely buying products that contain palm oil, the world’s most widely used vegetable oil.
Read MoreFossil free investing has grown exponentially in recent years. Faith-based and individual investors led the way in using environmental and social criteria to align their investments with their values. Large institutional investors like foundations and company 401(k)s are starting to follow their lead.
Read MoreAs part of its annual report on CEO pay, As You Sow collects pension fund proxy voting records, either through websites or from public information requests. Given the importance of climate change, we decided to review fund voting on climate proposals.
Read MoreRetiring coal-fired power plants could be the most effective use of major investments to limit global warming. That’s why Fossil Free Funds combined forces with Macroclimate to highlight investments in the most carbon-intensive utilities with coal-fired power plants — companies that can be found in nearly everyone’s retirement portfolio.
Read MoreThe movement to divest from fossil fuels and re-invest in the clean energy transition has grown exponentially in the past five years. But moving money out of dirty energy is only one half of the equation.
Read MoreIs this the beginning of the end for expanded polystyrene, the versatile but often criticized and increasingly risky foam packaging used for takeout food, coffee cups and package cushioning? Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s new report, “The New Plastics Economy — Catalyzing Action,” released last month at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
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