What if it’s all a hoax?

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This is one of my favorite cartoons from Joel Pett. He offers a great question, what if it’s all a hoax?

Personally, I do not believe it’s a hoax because the data supports scientists’ claims of man-made climate change. So, I guess it’s not that I “believe,” it’s that the hypothesis has been validated by the vast majority of scientists (around 97%.)

Admiral David Titley expresses the same sentiment in an article I read this morning, “People ask me if I ‘got religion,’” Titley said. “No, I don’t ‘believe in climate change – I’m convinced by the evidence.” Read the article

But to go back to the original cartoon, what if it’s a hoax? Some claim that proactively addressing the issue will ruin the economy, but the World Bank has shown those claims to be untrue and even said that tackling climate change would grow the global economy. Read the article

Furthermore, studies continue to show significant clean energy jobs growth. Our friends at E2 are keeping on top of this. More information

So again, what if it’s a hoax and all of these scientists are wrong? Well, unless you’re the CEO of a fossil-fuel company whose very existence (not to mention multi-million dollar compensation package) is in jeopardy, there’s really not much to complain about:

–       Energy independence

–       Preserve rainforests

–       Sustainability

–       Green jobs

–       Livable cities

–       Renewables

–       Clean water & air

–       Healthy children

–       Etc, etc

So let’s focus on the positives, nurture the opportunities and make the world a better place – together.

Peter Krull is President and Founder of Krull & Company, an Asheville, NC-based socially and environmentally responsible investment management firm. For more information, visit www.investwithyourvalues.com

Why investing with your values matters

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It doesn’t matter if I invest with my values – all that matters is making a profit, right?

Well, it does matter. By investing in companies that do not align with your values, you are implicitly endorsing their business practices. If you do own them and are not actively voting your proxy to encourage better behavior, you are, for lack of a better phrase, asleep at the wheel.

Did you know that the four largest mutual fund companies did not vote for transparency in political contributions in 2013? If you have investments with these companies, and you consider yourself a responsible investor, you are not being represented. Here’s the story from the Harvard Law School Forum.

This doesn’t mean that you need to be actively managing your portfolio or that you have to give up return; but it does mean that you need to be informed. Seek out an advisor who understands the concept of responsible investing. Divest from fossil fuels. Use your proxy to challenge corporate pay structures and lobbying efforts. You can make a difference, invest with your values and still get competitive returns.

Peter Krull is President and Founder of Krull & Company, a leading socially and environmentally responsible investment management firm based in Asheville, NC.