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Dear Co-op America member, That's right. We all have roles to play in changing the way America does business. We touch on three big ones in today's issue of our e-newsletter.
And of course, the role that transcends all of these is to make good green living choices every day. That includes all the ways we lighten our impact on the Earth and its people – from choosing to conserve energy and water, to reducing consumption, to repairing or buying used rather than buying new. Check out one of our most popular features, "10 Things You Never Need to Buy Again," for some ways to assist your efforts to live lightly on the Earth. Thanks so much for all you do in all of your roles helping to build the green economy. For greener businesses everywhere, Action: Tell Clorox: Take Back the Filter
In our Real Money article on water filters last year, we told you how the Brita company discontinued its water filter recycling program in the United States (though a similar program exists in Europe), and gave you the phone number to company headquarters so you could call and urge Brita to restart US-based recycling. To learn more about the campaign, sign the petition, write your own letter to Clorox, or find the address for sending in your used filters, visit the "Take Back the Filter" Web site. News: Greening Texas, One Lot at a Time
David Ilfrey has always had a passion about the proper use of native plants to restore nature -- to save water, protect soil and air quality, and as a habitat for native birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. While working at a former job at the Dallas Arboretum he'd share his knowledge about native plants with anyone who would listen, and his views became so well-known amongst his colleagues that one of his co-workers tagged him with a nickname, "Native Dave." Fast forward to 2001, and when Dave and his wife Christy started their own native landscape/design business, they mulled over what they should call it. "We started the business as Native Texas Garden Designs," recalls Christy, but there was a problem. "Nobody – not even our parents – could remember the name of the business! Everybody, however, could remember 'Native Dave,' so when we incorporated in 2003 we opted for the more memorable NativeDave, Inc." The rest is history, and we asked Christy to fill us in on how their design business merged with Christy's passion for communications to become the premier green landscape consulting firm in Texas. Resources: Clean Tech Investment Opportunities on the Rise
According to Clean Edge, a research firm specializing in alternative energy, annual revenue for four key energy technologies – biofuels, wind power, solar power, and fuel cells – is expected to quadruple by 2016. There are plenty of opportunities for individual investors to invest and support clean technologies. A crop of new and seasoned mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and index funds are available for your investments in clean tech industries. Before making any investments, make sure to request a prospectus and consult your financial advisor. (To find a financial advisor who specializes in socially responsible investing, check our National Green Pages™.) |
June 3,
2008
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