I heard folks talking in the elevator about SRI when speaking about their investments and I wanted to find out what the heck it was. Do you know?

SRI is a nifty and appropriate acronym that stands for Socially Responsible Investing. It is really a way to invest in companies that contain traits related to environmental responsibility, fair labor, human rights, or humanitarian causes…just to name a few of the biggies. Today, around 10% of investments have to do with some form of SRI. And, thanks to the recent trend toward raising our eco-IQ, the choices are growing. But, how do you sort out a true Socially Responsible company from the rest of the herd that likely includes wannabe organizations/firms that say they are “socially responsible”?

Well, for starters, educate yourself about the topics. There are a number of sites and free reports available on the subject. One particular source I found useful was SocialFunds.com. This resource includes the option to receive PDF versions of reports providing a good deal of education (PDFs save trees and other resources too).

Why you will make a difference: Consider SRI the next time you invest your well deserved cash. Be sure that the company or portfolio you invest in has ethical environmental and social responsibility that is both internally and externally visible (say that ten times fast). This transcends through shareholders as well. If you are looking at a portfolio or mutual fund, it may be SRI because they elected to include or exclude companies based off whether they met certain criteria.

Do you have experience with SRI? Feel free to leave a comment.

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Last May a tornado tore through the Kansas town of Greensburg whipping part of the town off the map, literally. Overcoming tragedy through heartfelt actions, the community used the rebuild as an opportunity to “go green”.

The town is tapping into energy ideas like geothermal options, wind turbines, solar panels, and improved recycling programs. In addition, they are building better buildings too. Kudos to you Greensburg (and to all others that are building green). So, how does one know they are building to a green standard? By building to U.S. Green Building Council’s LEEDs Standards system – silly.

LEEDs is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This nationally recognized third party certification rating system creates standards for sustainable green building. Eco-minded projects like these have LEEDs standards seeded during a building’s design phase and carried all the way through the daily operations of the completed/occupied building.

There are four tiers: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Platinum is the highest. Each tier has certain requirements one has to meet. As you may have concluded, the requirements get tougher the higher you go.

What goes in to a rating can vary depending on the type of structure (new or existing building, developing neighborhoods, home, hospitals, retail, school, etc.). Some of the checkpoints you can expect to get rated on can include:

• Green design/architecture
• Construction methods/materials
• Landscaping choices
• Water management
• Energy and Atmosphere Management
• Indoor Quality (air quality, moisture control, space distribution, etc.)
• Location (proximity to community, transportation options, open space, etc.)
• Sustainability
• Owner and/or Tenant green awareness/education

Why you will make a difference: LEEDs certified homes contribute to a greener planet by reducing energy consumption, waste, and emissions while creating healthier living conditions for occupants. You can also get some extra money in your pocket through qualified incentives, allowances, and tax rebates while reducing utility bills. Think you have a project that fits? Consider the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEEDs certification. Read more about the program here.

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I am taking about the gift of a live plant for a special occasion or just because. What were you thinking? Gotcha. Adding a potted/planted flowering plants to your deck, porch, garden, etc. can add more than beauty, fragrance, charm, and perhaps whimsy to your outdoor living space(did I just use the word whimsy?) . You are helping a few of the planets creatures too.

Did you know? 3 out of every 4 of the planet’s flowering plants depend on insects, bats, birds and other pollinators to produce edibles like vegetables, nuts, and fruits. Let’s hit closer to home…1/3 of all the food the average person eats exists in whole/part as a result of pollinators doing their thing. And, those creatures are dependent on having something to visit to get stuff they hold dear like nectar and fruit. Pollination occurs when the animal pays a visit and brushes against the Stamens (male reproductive parts) and Pistils (female reproductive parts) and transfers pollen.

According to the National Academy of Sciences it takes approximately 1.4 million colonies of honeybees to pollinate 550,000 acres of almond trees in California (based off a 2006 report).

A number of events are causing a decline in the species responsible for pollination. Some include: invasive (non-native) species hurting local populations, shifts in climate, and pesticide misuse.

Why you will make a difference: Primarily, you’ll provide habitat/ food for animals and give plants a home and a reproductive boost. There are a number of low-maintenance flowering plants available in your zone. Your local nursery or mega-Home store are great places to get ideas. I have always been fond of the Fragrant Gardenia.

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Author: David de Rothschild
Pages: 160 pages

If you are looking for books that provide eco-friendly tips — I recommend starting with this one. It is easy to read and compliments other books on the green movement. Whether you pick 1 thing to do, or pick 77, it lays out the facts and some simple steps you can do to help, not hinder, the impact on Mother Nature. I found that many of the tips provided are fresh and take a humorous approach to helping the planet become “greener”.

Happy Reading!

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Believe it. Sugar/artificial sweetener packets (sachets) can be recycled with the rest of your paper. Think of the billions thrown in the trash each year!

Why you will make a difference: You’ll save resources. Take the empty packets home from work, restaurants, your favorite coffee house, etc. and recycle them. And, reduce your use of individually packaged sugar or sweeteners, or use bulk alternatives, to save resources. Already take your own mug/cup with you…you get kudos for the extra effort!

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