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Seriously though, do something about it.

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The future of green energy and economic prosperity rests in the hands of everyone-from small business owners to policy makers around the world. Together we can make a positive impact and promote renewable energy generation.

According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( UNFCCC), to avoid catastrophic climate change we need to stay within 2 degrees centigrade of average warming around the world. Passing this limit will create an increasingly volatile environment that will affect communities and economies on both a global and local scale.

Companies are becoming more aware of the negative consequence of climate change and are beginning to take responsibility for their actions; however, there is still an urge for substantially more government support.

There have been several global summits on the issue; including, most famously, the Kyoto conference which culminated in the Kyoto Protocol. Later this year, The Paris Summit will be added to the list. The conference seeks to promote a green economy, showcase solutions to climate change, and draft a declaration pledging support for another international climate deal.

Countries are beginning to take the steps necessary to create independence from fossil fuels. In India, the government acknowledges that investing in a better environment is in their best interests. China and the United States facilitated a joint announcement in 2014 on policies that favor investment in green energy and acknowledge climate change as a significant threat.

Even though developed and developing countries alike are putting forth effort to elevate the stress put on corporations damaging the environment by fossil fuels and pollution, there are still significant inefficiencies being fed that will be addressed at the Paris Summit later this year.

As of July 2014, Oil Change International estimates U.S. fossil fuel subsidies are $37.5 billion annually, including $21 billion in production and exploration subsidies. Those estimates do not include the negative externalities imposed on people and the environment. Developed countries collectively squandered $600 billion annually in subsidies according to Global Subsidies Initiative.

Instead of providing more wealth to harmful fossil fuel companies, this money would be better allocated to investing in renewable sources of energy and supporting innovation. The Paris summit is set to address this issue.

There is a bright future for green energy. The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate released a report in 2014 that predicts over the next 15 years, about $90 trillion is likely to be invested in infrastructure in the world's cities, agriculture, and energy systems. The report also states that renewable energy sources could account for more than half of electricity generation and investment in the energy sector should triple to well over $100 billion annually in 2020.

Investment in renewable sources of energy is essential to control carbon emissions and benefit the environment. It is our sincerest hope that the Paris summit can further these goals.
At Mention of specific companies or securities should not be considered an endorsement or a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. First Affirmative, we understand that the ways we save, spend, and invest can dramatically influence both the fabric and consciousness of society. We believe that in addition to the benefits of ownership, investors bear responsibility for the impact our money has in the world. Are you making conscious decisions about the of your consumer purchase and investment decisions?
Posted: March 30, 2015

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Renewable Energy Calls for Action | First Affirmative Leadership Blog

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The future of green energy and economic prosperity rests in the hands of everyone-from small business owners to policy makers around the world. Together we can make a positive impact and promote renewable energy generation. According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to avoid

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Known for its Beauty, and Brains.

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Oslo Norway is the first capital city in the world to divest from coal and may be paving the way for other cities to follow. The Norwegian capital city recently announced plans to sell all of the coal investments in its pension portfolio. That will reallocate about $7 million from coal investments into more worthy holdings.

The rationale behind the move was voiced by Oslo's finance commissioner Eirik Lae Solberg: "We are pulling ourselves out of coal companies, because power generation based on coal is one of the most environmentally harmful in the energy sector. We want to use our investments to promote more environmentally-friendly energy and a more environmentally-friendly society."

"We've seen that coal is clearly the energy source that is most harmful. It's been said that the cities of the world contribute about 70% of carbon emissions. So clearly, the cities of the world are an important part of the problem of climate change."

- Eirik Lae Solberg, Vice Mayor of Finance, Oslo, Norway

he move to avoid investment exposure to coal is in line with other environmental commitments that Oslo has embraced. The city plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and become climate-neutral by 2050. To begin their journey, they have invested in infrastructure to support a low emission lifestyle, including the installation of 258 municipal electric car charging stations and recycling household waste to power city buses.

On the move away from coal, Oslo may have been inspired by Seattle, the first city in the U.S. to join the Fossil Free divestment campaign. Seattle is seeking to divest its $1.9 billion pension fund and $700 million deferred compensation plan from fossil fuel extraction companies.

Fossil Free has sights on encouraging European cities, such as Amsterdam, Berlin, and Stockholm, to divest. Their mission statement is to freeze any new investment in fossil fuel companies and divest from direct ownership of any funds that include fossil fuel public equities and corporate bonds. They have been a catalyst for organizing large-scale events like Global Divestment Day.

Similar movements can be found in other major European cities. In London, Mayor Boris Johnson has been urged by the London Assembly to pull City Hall's £ 4.8b pension out of coal, oil and gas investments.

Prestigious academic institutions in America are also divesting in coal. Most notably, Stanford University has said no to coal.

While there are strong environmental reasons for divesting from coal, these moves are not entirely altruistic-there is a compelling economic argument as well. Due in part to declining relative cost efficiency, coal has lost 10.5% of the U.S. power market over the last decade. With its main substitute, natural gas, expected to remain inexpensive for the foreseeable future ( IEA estimates call for $7.65/MCF in 2040), this trend will likely continue.

Global demand does not paint a significantly rosier picture. Estimates for future coal demand in China, which accounted for 47% of the world's coal consumption in 2012, have been revised downward twice by the IEA. Lauri Myllyvirta of The Energy Collective expects a third revision as China has recently entered into an agreement to achieve a CO2 peak by 2030, putting downward pressure on demand for high CO2 emitting fuels, such as coal. BP's Energy Outlook 2035 projects coal to be the slowest growing fuel technology at 0.8% per annum from 2013-2035.

The British Petroleum report noted key industry headwinds: "the slowing of coal-based industrialization in Asia, compounded by the effects of environmental regulations and low gas prices in key markets."

Divestment from coal is spreading around the world. The statement Oslo has made with the decision to divest has bolstered a global movement which has an important role to play in creating a more environmentally sustainable world.
Picture 1: Creative Commons: Karl Johan Gate at Night At Mention of specific companies or securities should not be considered an endorsement or a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. First Affirmative, we understand that the ways we save, spend, and invest can dramatically influence both the fabric and consciousness of society. We believe that in addition to the benefits of ownership, investors bear responsibility for the impact our money has in the world. Are you making conscious decisions about the of your consumer purchase and investment decisions? by Ignaz Wiradi is licensed under
Picture 2: Creative Commons: Fossil Free Berlin by Tony Webster is licensed under

Posted: April 10, 2015

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Oslo Divests from Coal, Hopes to Inspire Other Cities to Follow | First Affirmative Leadership Blog

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Oslo Norway is the first capital city in the world to divest from coal and may be paving the way for other cities to follow. The Norwegian capital city recently announced plans to sell all of the coal investments in its pension portfolio.

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For quite some time, renewable energy has been a series of relatively small scale enterprises. But renewables have developed into industrial strength solutions that some large companies are utilizing to lower their costs for electricity.
The United States now has two of the world's largest solar plants, Desert Sunlight and Topaz, which both have the capacity to produce 550 megawatts. Large developments of renewable energy in the private sector are becoming common place. Earlier this year, Apple announced a plan to invest $850 million in solar farms which will generate 280 megawatts of power-enough to power 60,000 homes and achieve carbon neutrality for their stores.

A new chapter in renewable energy is arising. Other companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Ikea, and Walmart are making agreements similar to Apple's. Firms in the private sector are now striking deals to purchase renewable energy. These commitments are helping to create new infrastructure and stimulate renewable energy source growth.

More and more companies are coming to understand that climate change is real and beginning to do their part to minimize their carbon footprints. With the help of Solar City, Walmart now has 190 stores with solar panels installed, bringing the retailer's cumulative generation capacity to 65 megawatts.

Renewable energy is on the rise and there are impressive global trends to complement the domestic feats that private companies are facilitating. As referred to in a previous First Affirmative blog entitled Green Following Green, solar investment rose 25% to $149.6 billion in 2014, wind energy investment rose nearly $100 billion, and clean-tech firms raised $18.7 billion through 2014, achieving a seven-year high.

Renewable energy trends are spreading like wildfire across borders, influencing corporate investment, and creating positive impacts on our world. A truly sustainable future is a carbon neutral society.
At Mention of specific companies or securities should not be considered an endorsement or a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. First Affirmative, we understand that the ways we save, spend, and invest can dramatically influence both the fabric and consciousness of society. We believe that in addition to the benefits of ownership, investors bear responsibility for the impact our money has in the world. Are you making conscious decisions about the of your consumer purchase and investment decisions?
Posted: April 24, 2015

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Renewable Energy Attracts Major Corporate Investments | First Affirmative Leadership Blog

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For quite some time, renewable energy has been a series of relatively small scale enterprises. But renewables have developed into industrial strength solutions that some large companies are utilizing to lower their costs for electricity. The United States now has two of the world's largest solar plants, Desert Sunlight

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Last year was a record-breaking year for new renewable energy installations. According to a report conducted by Frankfurt School UNEP Collaborating Centre, investments in renewable energy were up 17% from 2013 to $270 billion globally in 2014.
Investments in solar and wind accounted for over 90% of all investments focused on the clean energy sector. Solar rose 25% to $149.6 billion, adding a record 46 GW of capacity. A GW (gigawatt) is a unit of power equal to one billion watts. Wind rose by 11% to a record $99.5 billion, adding 49 GW, another record.

In total, wind and solar investments added 95 GW of generation capacity in 2014. Investments in geothermal energy generation jumped as well, showing a 27% increase to $2.7 billion.

"Once again in 2014, renewables made up nearly half of the net power capacity added worldwide, Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) said. "The growing penetration of renewable generation in the world's developing economies is one of the important and encouraging aspects of the 2014 reports."

Renewable energy investments in developing nations leaped 36% to $131.3 billion. China accounted for the lion's share with $83.3 billion in investments; Brazil invested $7.6 billion, India invested $7.4 billion, and South Africa added $5.5 billion.

These steep increases are a welcome trend, hopefully providing a dampening effect on carbon dioxide emissions growth in developing countries. Nevertheless, China's CO ₂ emissions increased by 4.2% to 10.3 billion tons and India's CO ₂ emissions increased by 4.4% reaching about 2.1 billion tons, according to the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency Trends in Global CO₂ Emissions 2014 report.

The United States has also seen some progress on the renewable energy front, with $36.3 billion in new investments in 2014. However, growth has been hindered by uncertainty around energy policies and incentives. The Production Tax Credit ( PTC) is a federal incentive that provides financial support for the development of renewable energy facilities. Congress has extended the provision six times and has allowed it to expire on six occasions leading to volatile potential outcomes.

The rapid growth in renewable energy investment around the world is an encouraging trend-especially given the growth in major developing economies.
Creative Commons: At First Affirmative, we understand that the ways we save, spend, and invest can dramatically influence both the fabric and consciousness of society. We believe that in addition to the benefits of ownership, investors bear responsibility for the impact our money has in the world. Are you making conscious decisions about the of your consumer purchase and investment decisions? Muppandal Wind Farm In Tamil Nadu by PlaneMad/Wikimedia is licensed under
Posted: May 4, 2015

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record breaking renewable energy investment

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Record-Breaking Global Investments in Renewables | First Affirmative Leadership Blog

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Last year was a record-breaking year for new renewable energy installations. According to a report conducted by Frankfurt School UNEP Collaborating Centre, investments in renewable energy were up 17% from 2013 to $270 billion globally in 2014. Investments in solar and wind accounted for over 90% of all investments

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The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 to be the International Day for Biological Diversity in order to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Biodiversity is traditionally defined as the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem, but this definition only scratches the surface. There are two types of biodiversity, genetic and ecological.

Genetic Biodiversity is the variation in genes that exists within a species. For example, dogs are part of the same species, but different genes can dictate whether they are of a small dog variety or a large dog build. There can be immense variations in genes, including causes for hereditary illnesses. Genetic Biodiversity can be seen in many different species of animals including humans.

Ecological Biodiversity is the diversity of ecosystems and habitats. Many forests are different because different types of species found in ecosystems. Variables like the temperature, rainfall, and food sources also differ in various habitats around the world, producing a wide range of ecosystems. Even seemingly similar ecosystems have a lot of differences that makes every habitat unique.

The world has many undiscovered species with billions of different genetic attributes. According to the National Wildlife Foundation, researchers have estimated that there are between 3 - 30 million species on Earth, with multiple studies suggesting that there may be over 100 million species on Earth. We have only identified only 1.7 million species.

Biodiversity is important because it prevents some species from becoming extinct by being unable to adapt to changing conditions. Extinction is a natural part of evolution. Over the history of the planet, the species that exist today have evolved from species that gradually went extinct. Extinction can have many causes, catastrophic events like the meteor that struck the Earth at the end of the Cretceous Period wiping out the dinosaurs, or simple inability to adapt to new circumstances like a new predator, a changing food supply, or a shifting climate. If rapid climate change continues at the current rate, wildlife may not have the time to adapt which could cause many animals to go extinct without having the chance to adjust. The reason biodiversity is cherished so dearly is because having genetic and ecological variance in a species and in ecosystems prevents natural occurrences from wiping out whole populations. Ecological biodiversity helps not only to make species more adaptable but helps balance various food chains within habitats.

Biodiversity is essential for the maintenance of artificial and natural ecosystems on which humans depend, but human activities, which are causing a species extinction rate of 1,000 to 10,000 times the natural rate, threaten to unbalance the ecosystem.

Drivers that reduce biodiversity include habitat loss and degradation, over-exploitation, like over fishing and excessive hunting, the spread of non-native species, and disease.

Human caused climate change has had a significant negative effect on biodiversity. The IPCC has predicted that by 2100, the earth surface will have warmed as much as 6 degrees Celsius. It difficult to predict how global ecosystems will respond to the extreme warming, but the effects may be catastrophic.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, climate change alone is expected to threaten approximately one-quarter or more of all species on land with extinction by the year 2050.

Nitrogen Fertilization can also have damaging effects on biodiversity. PNAS conducted an experiment to measure the lasting impact of nitrogen enrichment of crops and its effects on biological diversity. They found that while chronic nitrogen enrichment initially increased productivity, it also led to the loss of plant species. Their conclusion states, "Our results support the hypothesis that the long-term impacts of human caused drivers of environmental change on ecosystem functioning can strongly depend on how such drivers gradually decrease biodiversity and restructure communities."

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, could interfere with natural biodiversity. GMO Compass has expressed concern that GMOs might have a harmful impact on plants and animals exposed to them. If genetically modified plants pass their engineered traits on to wild relatives; those relatives could be changed. Tampering with the natural processes like genetic biodiversity could affect populations negatively. Cross-species gene modification is a new area of research which may have short term benefits, however without careful study before widespread usage of this technique genetic diversity could be threatened, and there could be unforeseen consequences.

New characteristics created by genetically modifying an organism could offer advantages in agricultural productivity, but it could also create a loss of biodiversity. Reducing the diversity of plants found in agriculture could lead to problems like higher susceptibility to outbreaks of plant diseases and pests.

Agricultural disease is not to be taken lightly. The Irish Potato Famine of the mid 19 th Century is an example of low biodiversity leading to disaster. Because only one type of potato was planted in Ireland, most the crop was killed off by a disease leaving the island without enough food. It has been estimated that between 500,000 and 1.5 million people died, and nearly one million people left the country. Just imagine if such an event happened to wheat, rice, or corn in the US. Biodiversity within crop populations is the best defense against such a catastrophe.

It is estimated that in the United States biodiversity provides a total of $319 billion dollars in annual benefits and $2,928 billion in annual benefits worldwide according to a study conducted in 1995. After accounting for inflation since 1995 to 2014, the annual value of biodiversity is about $4,538 billion in benefits worldwide.

Investing in clean energy and supporting sustainable industries will help stop the degradation of biodiversity, as climate change is one of the largest threats to biodiversity. International Biodiversity day is to help raise awareness about issues that impact Biodiversity. It is essential for agriculture, adaptation, and life as we know it. Biodiversity provides not a only critical function, but great economic value as well.
At First Affirmative, we understand that the ways we save, spend, and invest can dramatically influence both the fabric and consciousness of society. We believe that in addition to the benefits of ownership, investors bear responsibility for the impact our money has in the world. Are you making conscious decisions about the impact of your consumer purchase and investment decisions? Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mention of specific securities should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell that security. For information regarding the suitability of any investment please contact your investment advisor.
Posted: May 22, 2015

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International Biodiversity Day | First Affirmative Leadership Blog

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The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 to be the International Day for Biological Diversity in order to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Biodiversity is traditionally defined as the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem, but this definition only scratches the

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Environmental Economics and Impact Investing 

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Environmental Economics and Impact Investing 

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This is what I am most passionate about. Putting a value on preserving the world we live in.

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While conventional wisdom holds that environmental protection and financial success are at loggerheads, they can coexist and even flourish together. The growth in impact investing, a form of investment designed to generate financial gain and positive social and environmental impact, is a testament to investors' willingness to take non-financial factors into account in their investment decisions.

In effect, they are taking into account factors (called externalities) that don't hit a company's bottom line. Investors are using their investment dollars to help the market determine the full benefit and cost of economic activity, a key focus of environmental economics.

Environmental Economics, a sub-field of economics, focuses on determining the full costs of economic activity to all individuals. This includes impacts on air and water pollution, global warming and general environmental health, which are often unaccounted for in traditional profit and loss accounting.

An example of production caused externalities impacting people is the 2014 10,000-gallon chemical spill into West Virginia's Elk River. The spill left 300,000 people without potable water. They couldn't drink it, bathe in it, shower with it, cook or wash the dishes with it. One major chemical found in people's drinking water was crude 4-methylcyclohexanemethanol ( MCHM), a chemical foam used to clean coal and remove impurities that contribute to pollution during combustion. Researchers say they identified crude MCHM in the Ohio River at Louisville, Kentucky, 390 miles downriver from the spill site. The people exposed to MCHM experienced illnesses such as rash, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel that contributes to climate change, and even though MCHM is meant to clean impurities, coal continues to contribute a significant portion of greenhouse gasses and other harmful materials. A typical 500-megawatt coal-fired electricity plant in the United States annually contributes 3.7 million tons of carbon dioxide and 10,000 tons of nitrogen and sulfur oxide, the primary cause of smog and acid rain. Another 500 tons of small particles are spewed from a plant this size. These particles are health hazards, causing lung damage, among other problems. The typical coal-fired plant also releases 720 tons of carbon monoxide, 125,000 tons of ash, 225 pounds of arsenic, 114 pounds of lead, and many other toxic heavy metals. In Wisconsin, more than 200 lakes and rivers are contaminated with mercury, making fish toxic in those areas. Divesting from coal would reduce all of these harmful externalities associated with the production of energy from coal.

Luckily, trends in young adults' values are shifting the market and triggering environmental, political, and financial change. According to a Time Magazine piece, young adults make up a "big portion" of impact investments. Going forward, this is only likely to grow: "As millennials' earning power grows and they inherit $30 trillion over the next 30 years, investing for positive impact stands to attract trillions more." The more we see the impacts of externalities caused by poor environmental practices, the more conscious of environmental externalities we become. Environmental Economic values are becoming mainstream for many investors, not just young adults.

It should come as no surprise that more than two-thirds of advisors saw sustainable investments as an opportunity to grow their practice. With increasing attention and concern for social and environmental considerations, we can expect strong future growth in the impact investing space. This will shift corporate focus to include externalities and drive positive social and environmental change.
Creative Commons: At First Affirmative, we understand that the ways we save, spend, and invest can dramatically influence both the fabric and consciousness of society. We believe that in addition to the benefits of ownership, investors bear responsibility for the impact our money has in the world. Are you making conscious decisions about the impact of your consumer purchase and investment decisions? Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mention of specific securities should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell that security. For information regarding the suitability of any investment please contact your investment advisor. Bath Garden Celebrates Biodiversity by www.worldislandinfo.com is licensed under
Posted: May 27, 2015

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Environmental Economics and Impact Investing | First Affirmative Leadership Blog

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While conventional wisdom holds that environmental protection and financial success are at loggerheads, they can coexist and even flourish together. The growth in impact investing, a form of investment designed to generate financial gain and positive social and environmental impact, is a testament to investors'

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Here is a quick newsflash on food prices, and how to get the best deal for your organics.

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According to a national survey, 71% of Americans are worried about pesticides in their food, and 74% would like to eat food on which fewer pesticides are used. Given these preferences, it is no surprise to see strong growth and market share gains in the organic food industry.

In 2014, organics captured nearly 5% of the total U.S. food market, growing over 11% for the year. Despite present supply shortages, continuing growth is set to create a promising future for both consumers and producers of organic food.

From 2004 through 2014 organic food sales grew 225%, from approximately $12 billion to $39 billion in revenue. In past years, due to the high price as compared with substitutes, organic growth has been somewhat cyclical. Growth fell from 2007 through 2009, reaching a low of 4.6%. However, the past seven years have seen a strong rebound.

Quick market growth has left supply lagging, though food retailers and restaurants are taking action to alleviate supply shortages. For example, Nature's Path Foods Inc. recently bought 2,800 acres of Montana farmland for more than $2 million to secure their future in organics. Major chain restaurants like Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. are securing the stability of organic supply by financing farmers, offering technical training and recruiting organic growers.

Reality check: Organic food can be more expensive. Why? Primarily because of the strict certification requirements. To be organic, produce must be grown on land free of pesticides and banned fertilizers for at least three years. Farmers cannot use sewage sludge to fertilize their fields and are banned from using irradiation to kill bacteria. Additionally, they cannot use genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The lack of chemicals and higher costs for organic fertilizers make input costs higher for the producers of organic foods.

And the organic certification is neither easy nor cheap. Farm facilities and production methods must comply with certain standards that can require the modification of facilities. Employees must be hired to maintain strict daily record-keeping which must be available for inspection at any time. On top of those special costs, farmers must pay $400 to $2,000 per year to be inspected. Naturally, these input costs - lack of chemicals, higher costs for organic fertilizers, and certification requirements - will affect what price consumers pay.

However, organic isn't always more costly. It's important to shop smarter not harder. An article from Consumer Reports compared 100 food pairings where, on average, organic foods were 47% more expensive than conventional goods. Organic meats tend to be pricier while organic grains and rice are generally cheaper than conventional. Furthermore, options and competition are increasing quickly. More than 90% of food retailers have increased the number of organic foods they sell since 2012.

According to a Kiplinger article, where you shop for organics can make a big difference. Trader Joe's, which has more than 400 operating locations in the US, is a popular place to get great deals on wholesome foods. In addition, more competitively priced organic food stores are sprouting up everywhere to meet the demands of their consumers. Whole Foods has created a new, smaller store plan designed to reduce costs for the consumer. These new stores are targeted at younger shoppers, primarily millennials.

Organic is now mainstream, and the trend is being recognized by major industry players. Costco now has over 150 organic food options available to consumers and is the nation's leading seller of organic products with nearly $4 billion in annual sales. Walmart is promising organic foods at reasonable prices, and Kroger is moving into the space as well.

With increasing supply and competition, leading to lower prices it wouldn't be a surprise to see the organic food sector pick up the pace of growth. Already strong demand is likely to continue to grow as consumers gain more exposure to organic products and have access to them at more reasonable prices. The last decade of growth, while strong, may pale in comparison to future growth.
Creative Commons: "First Affirmative NOTE: Mention of specific companies or securities should not be considered an endorsement or a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. understands that the ways we save, spend, and invest can dramatically influence both the fabric and consciousness of society. We believe that in addition to the benefits of ownership, investors bear responsibility for the our money has in the world. Are you making conscious decisions about the impact of your consumer purchase and investment decisions? Farmer's Market" by Rhett Maxwel is licensed under CC BY 3.0
Posted: June 19, 2015

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Promising Growth in the Organic Food Sector | First Affirmative Leadership Blog

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According to a national survey, 71% of Americans are worried about pesticides in their food, and 74% would like to eat food on which fewer pesticides are used. Given these preferences, it is no surprise to see strong growth and market share gains in the organic food industry.

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Have you ever wondered where that plastic bag on the side of the street went to? Well, here is your answer....

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"It seemed unbelievable, but I never found a clear spot. In the week it took to cross the subtropical high [between Hawaii and the continental U.S.], no matter what time of day I looked, plastic debris was floating everywhere: bottles, bottle caps, wrappers, fragments."
Since Captain Charles Moore's discovery of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 1997, nonprofits and governmental organizations have uncovered startling information about this massive dump of floating trash. Comprised of two smaller patches, one near California, and the other off Japan's shore, the garbage patch stretches in a band across the Pacific Ocean.

Twice as big as the state of Texas, garbage accumulates because much of it is not biodegradeable. An astonishing " 80% of the floating debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch comes from land-based activities in North America and Asia." Often, the result in people failing to dispose of non-biodegradable items like fishing gear, shoes, and bottles. In addition to regular plastics, the patch is riddled with microplastics. These tiny bits of plastic make much of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch water look like a cloudy soup.

Oceanographers and ecologists recently discovered that about 70% of marine debris sinks to the bottom of the ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch holds over 700 million tons of trash, in the top nine feet of water. Recent discoveries from oceanographers and ecologists suggest approximately 70% of marine debris sink, which means the garbage patch zone may well hold over 2.1 billion tons of trash.

With so much plastic trash in our oceans, health risks to both marine life and people are increased. Plastics break down through photodegradation, in which photons alter or break down an item's chemical structure. This process releases chemicals, such as bisphenol-A (BPA), which has been shown to interfere with organ development, cognitive function and mood. Plastics can also absorb pollutants like PCBs, from the seawater. These chemicals can then enter the food chain when the plastics are consumed by marine life, and enter people when we consume seafood.

In addition to the microscopic chemical hazards, the trash soup takes a toll on marine life. If fish, turtles and whales eat plastic objects, it can sicken or kill them. Over one-third of fish sampled by Aglalita , a nonprofit started by Charles Moore, had eaten polluted plastic fragments. One 2.5 inch fish had 84 pieces of plastic in its tiny digestive tract. Ocean animals are also killed by dangerous plastic waste that entangles or traps them, often suffocating them underwater.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is not the only sea trash patch but it is the biggest. Other areas of the world are developing smaller patches just like the one in the Pacific, and some of these are in more populated areas. The Atlantic and Indian Oceans both have trash patches. Even smaller bodies of water, such as the North Sea are seeing considerable trash congregation. Due to greater proximity to people, some smaller patches may pose a greater threat than the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

These patches will not dissipate by themselves. In a 2010 report, Trash Travels estimated that plastic bags can take 20 years to decompose, plastic bottles take 450 years, and fishing nets require 600 years. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is not in any nations' coastal waters so no nation will take responsibility or provide funding to clean it up. The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Debris Program has estimated that it would take 67 ships and one year to clean up less than one percent of the garbage patch.

However, more innovative practices and new technologies can drastically lower the time and resources required to clean it up. Nineteen-year-old Boyan Slat has designed a stingray-shaped trash collection vessel that navigates using ocean currents. It is estimated to be able to clean the entire north pacific garbage patch within five years.

His concept has won recognition from groups such as the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. It is estimated the project would be profitable, and all plastics from the Great Pacific Garbage patch could be worth more than $500 million.

Scientists agree that reducing our use of plastics and increasing use of biodegradable products will help to produce the desired change. Thankfully, Biodegradable product demand for North America, Europe, and Asia is predicted to rise to nearly 525,000 metric tons in 2017, representing an average annual growth rate of almost 15 percent over the 2012 level.

Recycling plastic is another great way to help. Currently, only 7% of the plastic in the U.S. is recycled, though it too is growing strongly: the percentage of people with access to plastic recycling in addition to bottles has doubled since 2008, and plastic bottling recycling has experienced a two-decade growth spurt.

Though there are environmental dangers present, and the development and growth of garbage patches worldwide is an extreme challenge, we are not without a solution. Thanks to increasing recycling, biodegradable product demand, and Boylan Slat's invention, it is possible to slow the growth, and even begin to reduce the size of humanity's largest unintentional dumping ground.
Creative Commons: "Great Pacific Garbage Patch, photo author Lindsey Hoshaw" by Duncan Kinney is licensed under CC BY 3.0 First Affirmative NOTE: Mention of specific companies or securities should not be considered an endorsement or a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. understands that the ways we save, spend, and invest can dramatically influence both the fabric and consciousness of society. We believe that in addition to the benefits of ownership, investors bear responsibility for the our money has in the world. Are you making conscious decisions about the impact of your consumer purchase and investment decisions?
Posted: July 22, 2015

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Great Pacific Garbage Patch | First Affirmative Leadership Blog

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"It seemed unbelievable, but I never found a clear spot. In the week it took to cross the subtropical high , no matter what time of day I looked, plastic debris was floating everywhere: bottles, bottle caps, wrappers, fragments."

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These little guys are quite valuble.

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" View All Blog Posts

Bee pollination is a vital planet-wide ecological service that is often overlooked and underappreciated. Honey bees influence the economy, agriculture, and biodiversity-they are an important part of maintaining agricultural strength. Unfortunately, it's becoming more and more apparent that human activities are putting bees at risk. But despite worrying signs of bee disappearance, there are actions we can take to mitigate their decline.

Among bees' most valuable contributions to the ecosystem is genetic biodiversity. Studies by J.E. Eckert have demonstrated bee colonies can travel more than four miles from the hive and traverse more than 32,000 acres on a regular basis for food. Collecting and redistributing plant pollen across that area exposes plants to great genetic variety that is useful in protecting them from disease.

Biodiversity is estimated to provide $319 billion in annual benefits in the United States. Bees and flowers have a symbiotic relationship in which flowers have evolved special mechanisms to attract bees and deliver pollen. Plants create nectar and pollen to appeal to bees-the more nectar and pollen the higher the flower's chances for pollination. Over the past ten years, more than 40% of the bee colonies in the U.S. have suffered Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). A recent Harvard Study to test the effects of pesticides on bees has correlated pesticide use and CCD. In the study, six out of twelve of the pesticide-treated colonies were lost, leaving abandoned hives that are typical of CCD.

Bee pollination facilitates the growth of at least 1/3 of the world's crops and 90% of wild plant life. One of every three bites a person takes comes courtesy of these buzzing pollinators. Without bees, we would lose many fruits, nuts, seeds, and vegetables, including apples, plums, peaches, pears, alfalfa, strawberries, onions, avocados, cherries, flax, lemons, carrots, and cucumbers. It is estimated that $40 billion worth of U.S. agricultural produce each year is pollinated by bees. If the current rate of honeybee decline continues, it is estimated that $30 billion could be lost in agricultural revenue.

A number of government agencies are actively working to minimize honeybee population decline. A study by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has labeled one pesticide, called clothianidin, as completely unacceptable for use. U.S. wildlife refuges are also protecting their bees from dangerous chemicals. Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it was unlikely to approve new or expanded uses of certain pesticides while it evaluates the risks they may pose to honeybees.

The EPA is conducting an assessment of the six types of neonicotinoids and their impact on honeybees, with their evaluation expected by 2018. The Fish and Wildlife Service will phase out the use neonicotinoids by 2016. Changes are being made on all levels of politics from international to domestic to make an effort to save the bees.

Though government organizations are beginning to take a leadership role, individual habits and choices can have a significant impact on bee populations. Keeping pesticide use to a minimum, supporting organics, and becoming a beekeeper are excellent ways for individuals to create a positive impact on the bee populace.

For home gardeners, there are many natural alternatives to pesticides. For example, aphids or plant lice can be warded off by planting chives, marigolds, mint, basil, or cilantro nearby, or by placing aluminum foil at the base of your plants. The foil reflects light onto the undersides of the leaves, which scares away aphids. For bigger animals like rabbits, sprinkle chili pepper around plants. These alternatives to pesticides don't harm the bees, and the variety of plants can liven up any garden. In addition, alternative garden care is cheaper in some cases. Seaweed spray is about $13 a gallon, while traditional pesticides for small scale gardening can be as much as $45 a gallon. In addition to saving money on pest control, seaweed sprays and powders also act as fertilizer.

Buying organic is a way to support bee-friendly farming on an even bigger scale. The USDA organic certification assures that synthetic pesticides are not used on crops, allowing consumers to get a clean crop and protect the bees. The fewer pesticides used in agriculture, the more bees are saved from CCD.

Organic farms located near bees natural habitats have been shown to foster bee populations sufficient to pollinate crops, helpoing to save bees from extinction. Since farmers benefit from bee pollination, beekeepers rent out their hives to farmers. The farms provide beekeepers with income and receive pollination from the bees.

Becoming a casual beekeeper is another highly effective way to keep bee populations strong. Joining the ranks of backyard beekeeping can strengthen the bee gene pool by adding healthy local bees to the mix. Beekeeping can be a casual hobby or even a successful career. Some hives in exceptional climates can regularly produce over 200 lbs. in a year. On average a 200lb harvest can sell for $560 at current honey prices. The 2013 national honey crop was valued at $317.1 million; plus being a beekeeper means you're never in short supply of high quality personal honey!

Bees are one of the most important creatures around us by providing over $40 billion in products and benefits, as well as irreplaceable value to the biosphere. Despite this, pesticides used on conventional crops and gardens are killing them. You can choose to help save 1/3 of our food and a keystone species by buying organic and skipping pesticides in your garden; and you can even earn a tidy profit by raising your own bees.
First Affirmative NOTE: Mention of specific companies or securities should not be considered an endorsement or a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. understands that the ways we save, spend, and invest can dramatically influence both the fabric and consciousness of society. We believe that in addition to the benefits of ownership, investors bear responsibility for the our money has in the world. Are you making conscious decisions about the impact of your consumer purchase and investment decisions?
Posted: August 7, 2015

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Bees. Even More Helpful Than You Might Think! | First Affirmative Leadership Blog

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Bee pollination is a vital planet-wide ecological service that is often overlooked and underappreciated. Honey bees influence the economy, agriculture, and biodiversity-they are an important part of maintaining agricultural strength. Unfortunately, it's becoming more and more apparent that human activities are putting