| | | Green is now socially and financially acceptable

From WikiVerde

Contrary to previous experiences by many investors, investing with an eye toward environmentally friendly companies is no longer a recipe for financial foolishness. Choosing green investments is possible through a much wider choice of opportunities in businesses that promote green policies either directly or indirectly. These are some stable and profitable businesses that promote the concepts that are eco-friendly, so that you can earn a return on your investment funds while promoting good environmental practices. Here are some tips for finding and utilizing companies that can be considered green in policy or practices.

Socially responsible investing

Investing in businesses that take responsibility for the eco systems of the world and even for those that were created to promote the environment directly or indirectly is now much easier and much more profitable. Stability for green investments is promoted by mutual funds specifically designed to promote investment in green businesses. Investors can take advantage of stocks in publicly traded corporations that pride themselves on being socially responsible either because they promote green technology such as alternative power or because their business practices are structured with a world view such as those promoting distribution of fair trade or organic foods.

Brokers

Those investors wishing to increase the bulk of their green investment practices should check with their current brokerage house or retirement fund management to see if the investment company already offers green investment alternatives to add to their investment portfolio. Regardless of whether the investment options are stocks, mutual funds or other investment vehicles, it is prudent to do the thorough research on the company prior to making a decision to invest. Investment vehicles should be selected to match your own investment goals and strategies, and if they happen to include companies that are green, you are also assisting good environmental practices.

Green Companies

There are several businesses traded on either NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange that are reputable companies who promote environmentally friendly practices. For example, Starbucks is known worldwide for coffee and coffee shops, but it is also a company that believes in and promoted fair trade practices and policies for the company. Starbucks is traded on NASDAQ as SBUX. Whole Foods is another company traded on NASDAQ that is in the business of selling organic foods. The NASDAQ symbol for this corporation is WFMI. Other companies may not be as well known, but still offer opportunities for green investments.

Alternative Power Businesses

At least two publicly traded corporations are in the business of promoting alternative power sources for homes and businesses. For example Suntech Power and Pacific Ethanol have made it their business to create affordable energy sources that do not rely on carbon based fuels. Suntech Power is traded on the New York Stock Exchange as STP. Pacific Ethanol trades on NASDEQ as PEIX. These companies are not only environmentally friendly, but they provide profitable opportunities for investors as well.

Other Green Investment Tools

Mutual funds are a favorite investment tool for many people. Several green investment funds are available to those who choose to support environmentally friendly businesses in this way. For example, Parnassus Investment has several mutual funds that concentrate on ethical and socially responsible businesses that are as yet undervalued. Green Century Funds is an investment organization offering mutual funds that are environmentally sound. Another example of mutual funds that are socially or environmentally responsible is the Winslow Green Growth mutual fund made up of small to medium sized companies who are involved in activities considered to be sensitive to environmental issues.

Earning a Return

In the past, investors often had to make a choice between saving the environment or saving their investment funds. The difficulty of getting a decent return on funds invested in companies who are eco responsible caused many investors to simply give up trying to have both investment rewards and eco friendly investment venues. Today, however, many companies are taking a more active stance toward introducing green practices into their policies and into their routine business practices and decisions. These are companies determined to make the future world a better place while earning a decent return.

Consumers

Consumers are being challenged to understand and protect the environment and thus are aligning themselves with products and businesses who advocate green policies. Companies who do not react to changing consumer perceptions and expectations will be less likely to carry consumer confidence and interest. This means that consumers will purchase products from companies who promote green policies and this ensures continued profitability. When investors see profitable returns, they are more likely to invest in the business. Consumers are commonly paying more for products that promote environmentally positive policies, sometimes even bypassing or boycotting products from companies that do not comply with expected environmental or social standards.

Media Support

Obviously the more interest in green topics that is shown, the higher the level of media coverage, which in turn creates more interest in the subject. Events such as Earth Day create interest in the subject, but the active involvement of companies such as Microsoft's MSN concert series and Disney's environmental promotions raise public consciousness. CNN and the other news media are proactive about searching out and highlighting companies that promote environmentally friendly practices.

Venture Capital

Direct investment in environmentally active businesses through venture capital is becoming a popular way to promote the eco systems of the earth. This provides start up capital for innovative or imaginative ideas to be implemented using the high risk practices of venture capital. Once these businesses are established they move into the regular investment stream of stocks, mutual funds and retirement accounts.

Celebrity Promotion Activities

Well known figures in politics, music, sports and entertainment are promoting environmentally sound businesses either directly, through advertising campaigns or through events such as the concert series of music hard-hitters being promoted by MSN. Millions of people have viewed the information in Al Gore's lecture series and documentary.