#2 Money Talks. What is yours saying?
Chances are, your money is being used to fund fossil fuel extraction and deforestation. If you have a credit card or bank account, invest in stocks or participate in a pension fund then you are almost certainly helping fund these kinds of operations.
It used to be considered necessary to fund bad actors in order to make good returns. But things are changing — just witness the recent activist shareholder assaults on the ramparts of the ExxonMobil and Chevron boards. A lot of smart money is realizing that these kinds of investment don’t have a future. If we are to have a future, maybe we should get on the bandwagon!
THINGS YOU CAN DO:
* Email your bank and ask if they have a policy to address climate change. Do they have plans to power their offices with renewable electricity, or install EV charging stations for their employees? Do they invest their own money in petroleum companies? Ask to see their ESG statement. Put yourself on record as a customer who will be watching.
* Big credit card companies tend to be on the Naughty List. Consider changing your card to a company like Aspiration Bank. They will automatically purchase carbon offsets for gasoline you buy, and round up your purchases to the next dollar to fund reforestation projects. Yes, it may cost you a few pennies. Aspiration Bank
* Send an email to Jamie Dimon, chairman of JPMorgan Chase asking why his bank has such an abysmal track record for funding destructive projects. jamie.dimon@jpmorgan.com
* Most large investment firms now offer socially responsible funds. Many of these outperform the market indices. If you have an investment advisor, ask them to recommend such funds for your portfolio. Or look into Chordata Capital for complete socially responsible wealth management services. Chordata Capitol
* Most pension funds are also well towards the top of the Naughty List. If you contribute to, or are receiving money from a pension fund, check out ShareAction. They can give you tips about how to talk to your employer about your pension/climate concerns. ShareAction
* Send a contribution to Stop the Money Pipeline. They help hold companies accountable for their destructive practices. If you want to really get into the trenches, this is a good place to start. Stop the Money Pipeline
* Learn more about how big money can work against us, read Doubling Down on Deforestation by Friends of the Earth. Caution: this is not for the faint of heart! Friends of the Earth
Thanks for reading,
Doug Hylan, Brooklin, Maine
“If you really think that the environment is less important than the economy, try holding your breath while you count your money.” — Guy McPherson