Latest news with #Earth-friendly
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Report reveals seismic change in investment thinking: 'You've got to be attuned to where the economy is going'
A major shift is underway in the investment sector. Experts forecast that environmental, social, and governance considerations will become secondary concerns as financial returns take priority in investment decisions. A Pensions & Investments report highlights how regulatory and political pressures are pushing asset owners and money managers to rethink their investment strategies. Citing industry experts, including Kirsten Spalding of Ceres and Maulik Doshi of Steward Redqueen USA, the P&I report reveals that many institutional investors remain committed to sustainable investing despite increasing scrutiny spurred by the ESG movement. However, some firms are shifting their messaging to emphasize financial returns, which is also in compliance with new regulations. Reiterating the need to move beyond the container approach, Doshi said, "The principal North Star for the investment-decision process is around financial returns." This, however, doesn't mean investors are discarding ESG considerations. Companies focused on eco-friendly energy remain some of the smartest long-term investments. While the ESG bubble was built on broad misguided strategies, eco-friendly energy remains a fundamentally strong investment. Even as investors adjust their messaging to new regulations, the momentum for a clean economy continues to grow. According to the International Energy Agency, investments in eco-friendly energy now double those in dirty energy. Of the estimated $3 trillion global energy investment, approximately $2 trillion is allocated to eco-friendly energy technologies and infrastructure. Unlike dirty energy investments, which are prone to price shocks and geopolitical risks, eco-friendly energy investments offer stability and long-term growth potential. Aside from high expected returns, the clean economy also fuels job creation and economic resilience. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that wind turbine technicians and solar panel installers are the country's top two fastest-growing jobs. So, what does all this mean for the future of investing? Rather than abandoning sustainable investing, asset owners and money managers should refine their approaches. Instead of considering ESG as a catch-all label, backing eco-friendly energy and resilient businesses will enable them to prioritize financial returns while supporting Earth-friendly practices. In other words, long-term trends — not short-term politics — are what will lead to major financial wins in the years ahead. As Spalding said in the P&I report, "You've got to be attuned to where the economy is going, and how you get ahead of it, so that you stand to benefit, and companies you invest in stand to benefit." Should governments be investing money into new, futuristic cities? Definitely No way Not sure Depends on the country Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New legal analysis uncovers disturbing trend affecting homeowners across the country: 'It could be illegal'
Life off the power and water grids is becoming harder as cities and counties create regulations that discourage self-sufficient living, according to an analysis of laws across North America provided by Prepper1cense. While there is no allegation of a purposeful plot against living off the grid and the analysis is not comprehensive across the country, the anecdotal facts paint a picture that many cities are using zoning rules, building codes, and local laws to restrict people who want to disconnect from utilities and live more naturally, whether for financial reasons or to rigidly uphold laws beyond their original intent. In Cape Coral, Florida, Robin Speronis faced eviction from her home because she chose not to connect to city water. In Clark's Harbour, Nova Scotia, Cheryl Smith couldn't get permission to live in her new house because it lacked wiring for certain systems. Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Definitely Only if it saves money I'm not sure No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Some places now forbid keeping small animals that provide food. Visalia, California, threatened Gingi Freeman with $1,000 daily fines for having two Nigerian dwarf goats — which are no bigger than medium dogs — that provided milk for her children when she couldn't produce breast milk herself, classifying them as livestock on private property. While perhaps a small yearly fee could be understandable, $1,000 per day was a penalty clearly impossible for anyone to justify paying just to keep a pair of goats. Similarly, "it could be illegal to keep livestock even on rural property in some parts of Michigan," Dave Jefferson of Prepper1cense noted after the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development allowed local governments to ban animals from residential zones. These rules prevent people from making personal choices about how to live more naturally and affordably. When cities ban home gardens, small livestock, or off-grid utilities, they remove options that help people save money and reduce their carbon footprints. The effects touch families, as parents lose sources of fresh food and people face fines or evictions for choosing Earth-friendly ways to power and run their homes. These barriers make it harder to build strong, self-reliant communities. People are fighting back — and winning. After 29,000 residents signed a petition supporting Josée Landry and Michel Beauchamp's front yard garden in Québec, the city backed down. Jennifer and Jason Helvenston of Orlando, Florida, started Patriot Garden to encourage others to plant radishes as a peaceful protest, leading to policy changes. More cities now welcome natural living choices. By sharing stories of success and working together, communities can shape laws that support both people and the planet. The path to living starts with speaking up for our right to make Earth-friendly choices at home. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
