Over the past few years I\’ve looked ahead to this special 20th Anniversary Year of the GreenMoney Journal and realized that mostly, we need to talk about the challenges and opportunities in our collective future.
We know where we’ve been, but where are we going? How will sustainable business and responsible investing build better communities, improve our environment and grow a greener economy in the next 20 years?
Will innovation provide abundant renewable energy and clean water while growing more food organically to both feed and improve the health of an increasing global population?
Will Wall Street and Main Street work together to strengthen our economy and create more jobs? Will governments around the world finally reduce rampant debts which are compromising global economic recovery? And how do we encourage (and demand) more disclosure, transparency and accountability in business and politics?
Let\’s begin here in the first of two special issues in which several leaders explore the possibilities ahead. The writers include: Barbara Krumsiek of Calvert Funds; Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield; Cheryl Smith of Trillium Asset Management; and Hal Brill of Natural Investments.
Here on GreenMoney.com you’ll find additional articles including Megan Epler Wood of Planeterra Foundation on the future of Ecotourism, Don Shaffer on the world of RSF Social Finance, and Terry Mollner on the next generation of investing.
Finally, because we believe that conferences are key to professional education, we have always offered an extensive online Calendar of Global Green Events. One event we never miss is the SRI Conference on Sustainable, Responsible and Impact Investing. The 2012 conference will happen October 2-4 in Connecticut. Keynote speakers are Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Deepak Chopra. For more information go tohttp://www.sriconference.com
In closing, we value your insights. Please share your reactions to these articles as well as your own thoughts on the next 20 years. Do you have ideas about promoting sustainability and responsibility through conscious shopping, local banking, or using more renewable energy? We will feature them in forthcoming issues.
Again, a sincere thanks to our many readers, contributors, advertisers and sponsors over the last 20 years. Be sure to sign up for our Fall 2012 issue, which contains Part II of this look at “The Next 20 Years.” We’ll be sharing more ideas and articles by Amy Domini, Aron Cramer, Joe Keefe, Lisa Hall, among others.
Remember, now and in the years to come, what you do with your money matters.
