How to Go Green: Investing

[by Rebecca Silver and Kristin Underwood]

During the past few years, the business world has awakened to the concept that "green," meaning environmentally conscious, and "green," meaning financially lucrative, are not mutually exclusive. But how can this knowledge translate to individuals who have their own green to invest? Whether or not you knowingly do so, as a conscious consumer you use your purchasing power to demonstrate which products and services you support. If you have money available to invest, you can take this concept a few steps further by investing directly in your favorite environmentally-minded companies and helping to bolster both existing and emerging sustainable industries.

The challenge of green investing is twofold: To increase personal wealth while avoiding harm to people and the environment. Ideally, socially responsible investing can help work to help make the world better. That can be a daunting task, but our green investing guide is an armory of tools that help you get started down the path to green prosperity.

As with any significant financial investment, we advise you to do your research before you bet the farm on any one sustainable investment strategy. Keep in mind as you are choosing investment opportunities that, if the company you choose to support doesn’t make money, you aren’t doing yourself or them any good by backing them. Carefully consider not only which investment plan best suits your level of financial commitment and needs, but also which environmental goals, sustainable enterprises, and green organizations you are most eager to support.

Note: Planet Green does not endorse any business in this guide and is not in the business of providing financial advice. Any potential investor acting on any advice provided in this guide does so at their own risk. Planet Green advises potential investors reading this guide to always seek financial advice from a financial advisor before investing. No information provided in this guide should be considered an inducement to invest.

Special Thanks to Jeff Siegel, Managing Editor of Green Chip Stocks, and to Russell Baruffi, fellow at the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise at the University of Michigan, for their contributions to the content of this article.

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