Green Yield

It’s been called Clean Yield, Green Money, Good Money, etc., but mostly it goes by Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). What’s SRI? Simply put: its either investing in something that you feel will make the world a better place, avoiding companies that are making the world worse, or both. There is one other strategy: Shareholder Advocacy: Investing in typical corporations and supporting resolutions at shareholder meetings that will make for a more wholesome company. For example, the Domini Mutual Fund group will work together with various non-profits to raise vital issues and sometimes even get a company to change its policy.

And how did SRI begin?
In 1967 a woman wrote asking: "Is there a mutual fund which will manage my pension money without investing in war-related industries?" By 1971 the Pax Fund was formed “1) to make it possible for people to invest in keeping with their values and 2) to challenge corporations to establish and live up to specific standards of social and environmental responsibility. They thought they could best influence corporations from the inside, as potential shareholders who might invest in a company if it met these standards.”

There are over 200 SRI mutual funds now, as well as various SRI investment advisors throughout the country.
Besides stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, one can invest in one’s own SRI business, a local SRI business, or a SRI credit unions or loan fund. What’s more rewarding investing in your own sustainable business? Or a small local business ready to expand? Here in Lancaster Co. PA, I may soon have two opportunities: Greenline Paper residing in nearby York Co. and Mission Research in Lancaster City.

I expect a thriving discussion of this whole SRI concept, but the teacher in me will also be presenting the basics as we muddle through and peak our oil.