What Does It Mean To Be Green?

By: Lisa Smith

When people hear the term "green investing", they often dismiss everything that follows as "tree hugger stuff". After all, investing is about making money and not being too concerned about the environmental impact companies have in making it. However, there has been a shift in both the board rooms of major corporations and the portfolios of investors, toward getting more "green", only now they're not talking about money.

Green investing involves putting money into companies that actively promote environmental responsibility. In a way, it turns some of the traditional criteria used for investing upside down. But will green investing actually put any green in your wallet? In this article, we'll take a look at green investing from both sides of the argument. (The term "green investing" is subjective. Find out how this impacts green investors in Forget Green Stocks, "Green" Will Do.)

The Old Ways
The traditional economic approach toward the world's environment is largely centered on generating a profit. Trees are made to be cut down and sold, land is made to be developed, and animals (when they are considered at all) are either raised to sell or (in the case of rare fish, birds, amphibians, etc) are treated as impediments to deforestation and land development. Most credible experts agree that this approach to the environment has contributed to a host of environmental problems, including global warming, pollution, the extinction of some animal species, deforestation and drought.

The New Ways
The major environmental concerns that have arisen as a result of economic development are now gaining attention and have generated a host of concern. They have also generated a heightened awareness of the importance of the environment. As a result, businesses are either seeking to operate in environmentally friendly ways or seeking to solve some of the problems that industry creates for the natural world. And we're not just talking about companies that sell hemp T-shirts or biodegradable pots made from cow dung - even major corporations (and major polluters) are jumping on board. (For more on this movement, read For Companies, Green Is The New Black.)

Environmentally Friendly Operations
While operating in an environmentally friendly manner is a new way of doing business for most firms, some of the biggest names in business are giving it a try. Although many of them still have a long way to go, Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX), Nike (NYSE: NKE), General Electric (NYSE: GE) and McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) are a few examples of companies that are far ahead of their competitors in terms of the way they operate. Many of these companies track and measure their impact on global warming, have set goals for the reduction of energy use and provide easy-to-access information about their efforts to address environmental issues. (For related reading, see Go Green With Socially Responsible Investing.)

Seeking to Solve Problems
If this shift in corporate and investor focus seems odd, consider that solving the world's environmental problems is big business. Efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels have spawned a host of enterprises ranging from wind farms to alternative fuels - and these aren't pie-in-the-sky efforts. For example, in 2007, legendary oil man T. Boone Pickens launched a bid to build one of the biggest wind farms in the United States. Energy giant General Electric also participates in the design and manufacture of wind turbines, while other major energy companies have partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop clean coal technologies. Toyota (NYSE: TM) and other big companies are already selling hybrid cars, and most major auto manufacturers are racing to develop the next generation of fuel technology, with ideas ranging from engines that deliver dramatically increased gas mileage to hydrogen fuel cells that forgo gasoline altogether. (For more on these kinds of companies, see Top 10 Green Industries.)

Other companies are reclaiming brown field (abandoned or underutilized) industrial sites, designing energy efficient appliances, creating new products from recycled materials, engaging in sustainable farming practices, and developing methods to reduce air pollution. These companies are all looking for ways to solve problems, operate in more environmentally friendly ways and run profitable enterprises. (To learn more, see Clean Or Green Technology Investing.)

The Roots of Green
The concept of green investing is an outgrowth of the socially responsible investing movement. Socially responsible investors often seek to avoid investing in companies that produce products such as alcohol, tobacco and firearms; green investors seek to put their money into supporting companies that protect the environment. While the movement has taken awhile to generate momentum, the outlook looks bright as concern about energy and the environment continue to mount. (To learn more, read Socially Responsible Mutual Funds.)

Supporting Green
If you are ready to go green, investing in companies that engage in environmentally friendly practices is the easiest and most obvious way to show your support. Not only do you get to feel good about your investment, but you also get to make a profit if the enterprise is successful. Less obvious, but not to be overlooked, is the opportunity to vote with your dollars in other ways.

In addition to buying stock in environmentally friendly companies or companies engaged in efforts to solve environmental problems, you can also purchase their products. You'll get to enjoy the products themselves and every dollar you spend will help to support your investment. In a similar fashion, if you identify companies that operate in ways that are detrimental to the environment, you can choose to keep their stocks out of your portfolio and their products out of your home.

Source: http://www.investopedia.com

Environment Friendly Home Business

By: Mark Styranka

Whether a person is conservative or liberal, young or old, male or female the message is the same. No matter where they live, how much money they have, education, social status, you name it, most people agree. Albeit for different reasons, people are becoming more environmentally aware. "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" is becoming a common household and business phrase. These three "R"s will help to save the planet but there is an added benefit to your home business.

When we started applying these to our home business we achieve amazing results. With regard to paper, we print or copy only what is absolutely necessary and then we use both sides of the paper. We provide our customers electronic information and only supply paper copies when requested (and may even charge a fee for this). We reuse paper that we receive that is only printed on one side, for notes or message taking. When we do buy paper, it is 100% recycled for only about one dollar more per ream. We recycle our paper and printer cartridges as well. Because of all these things, we contribute less to landfills and to destruction of forests and very importantly, our costs for paper and printer ink is way down. We have seen no negative consequences by taking all these steps.

To save electricity, we have replaced our light bulbs with florescent ones. They cost more initially, but our electricity costs are reduced and they last six times longer. We have a power bar on all of our electronic equipment and we turn the power bar off at night or when they otherwise won't be used for an extended period of time. This saves electric costs and I personally like the idea of having my internet modem and wireless network unavailable to hackers when I'm not using the equipment.

To save on heating and cooling, we have accepted that the temperature may not be ideal and that we can change what we are wearing (great benefit of a home business!) to become more comfortable. So the temperature range set on our thermostat is set a bit higher or lower than we used to depending on the season.

Our utilities bills continually show that we use less power or natural gas than in the same month of the preceding year and this is our goal. There is more that can be done but these simple steps described here will:
1. Help you save money on paper, ink, electricity and natural gas,
2. Impress your customers if you advertise that you are environmentally friendly,
3. Contribute less to landfills, and
4. Help to preserve the environment for future generations.

Efficient and effective use of resources should be a goal of every business. It does not cost more money to be environmentally friendly, contrary to popular belief. If we focus on efficient and effective use of nature's resources then the result has to be a positive one. One person and one business can make a difference, one person and one business at a time.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Recycled Printing, Your Opportunity to Safe Guard the Environment

By: Ungira Pandit

Our generation is learning its lesson and paying the price with the effects of global warming creeping up on us. 12.5 million tonnes of paper are consumed by the UK population and a devastating 4.7 million tonnes of that paper ends up in landfills. Almost 80% of the original forests and trees on the globe have been cut down and degraded. Once mature trees are cut down, it is pitiful to convince ourselves that we are replacing the logged trees with saplings which will take years to take their full fledged form. Using recycled paper for printing is the best way to prevent this industry from taking a toll on the environment. Recycled printing is the process of recovering waste paper to make new paper which will be used for printing. The waste paper is broken down into singular fibres that are blended together to create new paper. The types of waste paper required for created recycled printing paper are old newspaper, corrugated paper, high grade paper, de-inked pulped substitutes and mixed paper.

Recycled printing paper has a variety of benefits for you and your company. It is cost effective, eco-friendly and has an appealing natural quality. Some types of recycled paper further delve into their natural attributes by included crushed petals, and grass to the fibre blend and incorporate vegetable and flower based inks. Because of the natural quality of recycled paper, it is often used for printing greeting cards, business cards, wedding cards and much more.
The process of blending broken fibres together gives recycled printing paper a softer attribute than virgin paper and does not falter in quality. Virgin paper refers to new tree fibres that have never been used for making paper. Recycled printing paper has an enhanced opacity available in different textures, weights and colours. Recycled printing paper should contain at least a minimum of 30% post consumer waste to be considered as recycled. It used to be that people shied away from recycled paper due to its drab and grey toned colours. This was caused by the ink in used paper blending into the fibres while they were being broken down to make new paper. Now there are de-inking processes available to accomplish white recycled printing paper. This procedure also cleans the fibre pulp by removing unwanted fillers, clays and fibre fragments. Recycled printing paper requires less water as well as energy. In fact, 50% less energy is used when recycled printing paper is produced. Approximately 1 tonne of recycled paper prevents 1.32 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering our atmosphere. The reduction of carbon emissions, logging, water consumption and energy all have a positive impact on our environment, making recycled printing paper an ideal source for businesses. It is a social and environmental responsibility of you and your enterprise to used recycled printing paper. Utilizing recycled paper reduces waste in landfills and also the strain on our forest resources. Take an initiative to save trees and preserve the environment while running your business. Utilizing recycled printing paper reflects a prestigious environmentally conscious image for you and your company.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Our Environment, Global Warming, And How You Can Help!

By: Gordon Brown

Source: http://news.softpedia.com/news/A-New-Explanation-of-Global-Warming-19650.shtml

There's no question that our planet is warming up. Average global temperatures have risen around the world in the last 100 years, especially in the past 20 years. There are many theories out there when looking for answers to this, but only two are obvious. One of those theories is the idea that the Earth naturally goes through temperature cycles during the course of its existence. Another idea is that we as humans are introducing untold amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and this is causing the planet to heat up.


Regardless of how and why Earth is warming up, it's happening, won't stop anytime soon, and may be dangerous in the long run. Maybe it's human activity or maybe it's not, nobody will be able to tell us what the exact cause is. However, what we do know is the human population most certainly contributes to the warming of the planet. The good part is we have the power to slow it down and cut our carbon dioxide output down drastically.

There are many things you can do to help our environment and cut down on your carbon footprint, all of which are reductions of energy usage at home and on the road. First and foremost, replace all the light bulbs in all your residencies to the energy-efficient bulbs. This is huge and will save you hundreds of dollars a year on your power bill, thus promoting a cleaner environment. You can also replace your old appliances with newer, energy-efficient models. The same goes for your air conditioner. These are the top 3 ways to cut your power costs at home.

There's now a 4th and big way to reduce your carbon footprint and power bill, that is, solar panels and wind turbines you can build yourself. You can find guides and manuals online that teach you about everything you need to know. The best part about this is how simple and easy it is to construct a green energy power system in your home. Not many people know about this, but it's a serious money saver when comparing DIY green energy to professional installations. They cost tens and tens of thousands of dollars. If you're interested in such projects there's a popular new site on the internet that will feed you all the information you need.

Finally, and the most effective way to reduce your carbon footprint is to avoid driving your vehicle! Walk, jog, roller blade, or bike everywhere and anywhere you can. Get that blood pumping and the savings of fuel and energy mount up incredibly fast. If you can apply multiple techniques described here, I guarantee your energy costs will drop drastically. Regardless of what's causing global warming, we should all be striving to do our part and cut down our carbon footprints. Whether it's turning the TV off at night or riding your bike to school, the Earth and the people inhabiting it will thank you.


http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/gordon-brown/133872.htm

Eco Friendly Tourism, St Lucia

More and more savvy travellers are doing their research and choosing ecologically and socially responsible vacation destinations. The surge of the eco-friendly holiday has made responsible tourism trendy while effecting good in the communities which offer the option. St Lucia in the Caribbean has emerged as one of the more preferred eco-friendly destinations, located as it is in the dense rainforest belt of the Caribbean archipelago and boasting a natural beauty that has garnered the attention of international publications like Condè Nast and several tourism industry award bodies.

St Lucia’s lush vegetation and tropical rain forest, which lends itself to hiking, bird watching, camping, and a whole host of nature-related activities, has long made it a favourite of those who are seeking a quieter, more environmentally friendly tourism experience. That is not to say that there isn’t a fair amount for the thrill seeker as well. St Lucia’s dramatic coast is the playground for sailing, diving, snorkelling, wind and kite surfing, all activities which guarantee maximum recreational enjoyment with minimal environmental impact.

The new environmentally conscious traveller is looking for accommodation that subscribes to an eco-friendly ethos, and St Lucia’s hotels and bed and breakfasts have responded to the demand by examining the sources of energy they employ, sustainability of growth and conscientious waste management practices, and by forging relationships with the communities that host them. This is particularly so in Soufriere, St Lucia’s former capital under the French, and breadbasket of the island.

Situated as it is in some of the most fertile land on the island, Soufriere is leading the way in insisting on low air mile produce. Hotels and restaurants are provisioned with the freshest local ingredients grown right in the heart of this remarkable town. And when a resort or restaurant grows their own produce or sources from local farmers and markets, you are guaranteed a great dining experience.

The town of Soufriere, referred to by American personality Oprah Winfrey as one of the top ten places to see before you die, is uniquely placed in its claim to eco-tourism. The coastal town which rises dramatically into some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on the island, is home to the iconic Pitons, the sulphur springs, several waterfalls and a botanical garden and constitutes an environmentally and culturally protected area as a World Heritage site. The UNESCO appointed epithet assures the visitor that certain standards are being maintained with regard to the actual upkeep of the site, and the efforts at ecological and architectural preservation and conservation.

St Lucia’s picturesque town of Soufriere is increasingly appearing on the radar of ecologically conscious travellers who want an environmentally friendly holiday with their pina coladas. (Both pineapples and coconuts are locally harvested!).


by: Fond Doux Estate
web address - http://www.fonddouxestate.com

10 Easy Ways to Go Green

Almost everyone has heard the phrase "go green." If you haven't, 'Where ya been?' You don't have to be a "tree hugger" to go green and make our planet a healthier place to live. Here are just a few ways to go green that don't take a lot of effort.

1. Don't waste. Turn off the lights, TV or radio when no one is in that particular room and save energy. Cook the right amount of food or be sure to use leftovers to cut down on food waste. Take shorter showers and don't let water run unnecessarily.

2. Recycle. Reuse shopping bags. The plastic kind can be used as small trash can liners. If you shred documents, use the shredded paper as packing material when shipping things. Reuse partially used notebooks - just rip out the used part and use the rest. Instead of throwing away printer paper that has been botched on one side, cut it up and use the front as scratch paper.

3. Buy in bulk. It's less expensive than buying single items and there is less packaging going to landfills.

4. Buy organic. Food grown organically is free of pesticides and, therefore, less toxic and healthier for humans and animals and better for the environment.

5. Buy eco friendly cleaning products. Better yet, make your own from ingredients you already have. Most cleaning products are toxic to humans and animals and not good for the environment.

6. Drive less. Plan out errands to be done all in one day and make one trip do it all.

7. Use disposable containers less often. Use regular dishes and silverware. If using a dishwasher, make sure it's full before running it. Buy cloth napkins instead of using paper towels and paper napkins.

8. Use the clothes dryer less. Hang clothes on a line outside to dry. Some of the benefits are less static cling, fresh smell and disinfection from the sun, not to mention saving money on your electric bill.

9. Use natural and organic fertilizers and natural pesticides. Start a compost pile and use that when planting flowers and gardens. Put dead leaves on gardens in the fall to make soil richer. Natural pesticides can be purchased or made from scratch.

10. Buy products that are made from recycled items. Many companies are now making products from recycled materials, including furniture, clothing, flooring, packaging materials, stationary and even dog beds, dog toys and dog clothes. The various materials used for recycling include aluminum, plastic soda bottles, reclaimed cotton, reclaimed wood, rubber and paper.

There are actually many ways to go green and make our planet less toxic. If every person would make a conscious effort to do just one thing to go green, the impact would be huge.


by: Anita Funkhouser

Want to Know the Effects of Global Warming?

The effects of global warming are, needless to say, alarming and cause for immediate attention. The effects of global warming are more visible now than it ever has been before. Its apparent visibility makes it impossible to ignore. Changes in climate, in rainfall and snowfall patterns are all too hard to ignore. Mankind can no longer continue in its denial in the face of such drastic changes in the climate and weather patterns of the earth.

Summers are getting hotter. There is a shortage of fresh water. There are more floods, earthquakes than ever before. More and more species are becoming extinct, and even more are on the brink of extinction. If steps are not taken immediately, life as we know it now will cease to exist for our children and grandchildren.

The earth's temperature is increasing. The ocean is getting warmer. Marine life is threatened. These are the effects of climate change. Global warming is very simply the continuance of an ever increasing temperature of the earth. The earth's temperature rose 0.06 degrees Celsius in the 20th century. And by the year 2100 it is predicted that the earth's temperature will rise from 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. This in turn will lead to the ocean level rising by 25% or more.

The main culprit of climate change is the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere. Co2 increases are due to deforestation, an increase in the production of methane, and the burning of fossil fuel. To be more specific, the main culprit of global warming is mankind. And it is mankind who is ultimately responsible for finding a solution. It is everyone's responsibility to do something about it. Each one of use can make a difference. No matter how small a contribution it is, it will go a long way to make a big difference.

The news of the increase in global warming is not only a thing of worry but it is also frightening. Only a drastic turn around can stop this alarming trend. Only drastic measures can bring about a drastic change. Only if these measures are taken can a solution to the effects of global warming be found.


by: Dewayne Blalock
http://environmentallyfriendlysecrets.com/