April is all about celebrating our wonderful, life-giving Earth and coming together to solve some of the biggest environmental issues of our time. Let’s take a look at Earth Day and some of the ways that we can invest in our planet.
Image: Earth Day / Facebook
Earth Day
On this day, every year, we celebrate our Earth. Earth Day is all about recognising the critical role of the private sector in building healthy, climate-resilient economies. It’s also about the role of governments to provide regulations and incentives for the private sector to help the planet, instead of harming it!
According to the Earth day website, “we need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going to take all of us. All in. Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet”.
“A green future is a prosperous future”
For the private sector, acting on climate change is no longer a moral or virtuous imperative, and facilitating sustainable practices isn’t just part of a ‘green’ or ‘tree-hugging’ agenda. We’re now seeing that sustainability is the path to prosperity! According to Earth Day, “studies show a direct correlation between sustainable business practices, share prices, and business performance. Companies who develop strong Environment Social Governance (ESG) standards have better profitability, stronger financials, happier employees, and more resilient stock performance”. Interesting, right?Earth Day emphasises that time is short, so we need to act now. Whilst time is short, there's still time to solve the climate crisis, time to choose BOTH a prosperous and sustainable future, and time to restore nature and build a healthy planet.
Shop from sustainable, ethical brands
Through our choices, actions, and purchases — we can demonstrate the type of change that we want to see! As individuals, investing in our planet means that we’re conscious about where our money is going and actively choosing businesses and initiatives that help the planet. Start looking at the types of products you're buying everyday and the sustainability ethos of those companies. Is the company taking steps to reduce its carbon emissions? Is the company moving away from plastic packaging? Does the company support environmental/ sustainable initiatives?
Image: Greenpeace Australia Pacific / Heaps Better Podcast
Check the climate credentials of your bank & super fund
Have you ever considered where your super fund is investing your money? Or, your bank? It’s reasonable to assume that our money just sits there, but in reality, your superannuation fund or bank could be investing your money into harmful industries and activities like coal mining, oil drilling and gas fracking. Currently, Australia’s ‘big 4’ banks — ANZ, Commonwealth, NAB and Westpac — provide finance to fossil fuel companies.
Instead of funding these industries, your money can be used as a force for good! Tools like Responsible Returns can help you to find responsible/ethical banking, superannuation and investment products that match your values and interests.
We highly recommend checking out episode 3 of Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s ‘Heaps Better’ podcast for some helpful info!
According to Earth Day, “we have the power to lobby for and support businesses that take active steps to protect our environment through their practices and climate-friendly investments, and fight against those that don’t”.
We couldn’t agree more. Remember, your money can be used as a force for good — make sure it’s helping the planet, not harming it! To learn more about Earth Day, please visit earthday.org.
