Do your investments match your values?
In October 2024 the panhandle of Florida and western North Carolina were decimated by hurricane Helene. It is already expected to be one of the 10 most expensive disasters in the world. So far 216 are confirmed dead and over 600 people are missing. A week later hurricane Milton has grown to a category 5 storm overnight and is getting ready to strike the west coast of Florida.
We are living in an age of consequences.
Continue reading “Why Divest From Fossil Fuels…”
In a recent Harvard and NBER study, economists evaluated what impact the climate crisis is expected to have on the global economy. “This paper estimates that the macroeconomic damages from climate change are six times larger than previously thought. A 1 degree Celsius increase in global temperature leads to a 12% decline in world GDP.” They summarize, “A business-as-usual warming scenario leads to a present value welfare loss of 31%. These are multiple orders of magnitude above previous estimates and imply that unilateral decarbonization policy is cost effective for large countries like the United States.” (1)
The study continues, “Climate change implies precipitous declines in output, capital and consumption that reach 47% by 2100. These magnitudes are comparable to the economic damage caused by the 1929 Great Depression, but experienced permanently.”
Continue reading “Climate Crisis Impact on the Economy”
A recent study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College found that “many younger baby boomers and members of subsequent generations who don’t have access to a traditional pension could outlive the funds in their 401(k) accounts.” (1)
In the 1980s 401k plans began to replace pension plans in the workplace. Workers became responsible for accumulating their own retirement savings. Of workers born in 1947, 52% had pensions. By comparison workers born only 10 years later, only 21% had pensions.
The study compared retiree spending for people who had pensions and those who only had a 401k. They found that “retirees with pensions often didn’t spend their savings at all. In fact, many saw their nest eggs continue to grow after they stopped working.”
Continue reading “Strategies to Help Avoid Running Out of Money in Retirement”
In May 1974 Fed Chairman Arthur Burns gave a commencement speech to Illinois College. The speech was titled “The Menace of Inflation”.
At this point in the 1970s the nation had been struggling with high inflation for four long years… For perspective, we have been only dealing with high and rising inflation for one year so far. His voice offers a view of what to expect in the years to come.
Continue reading ““The Menace of Inflation”: Inflation in Perspective”
The question is one that is asked frequently, and recently came up in a conversation with a new client. The quick answer is no…
Even when funds are labeled “green” or “ESG” it is important to understand that these labels mean different things to different managers and investors. Some focus on corporate governance, some focus on diversity and labor issues, some focus on shareholder activism, some focus on environmental issues. It is important to look deeper into your investments to make sure they align with your expectations and demands.
Continue reading “Are all ESG funds “green”?”
I met Charlotte and her Husband Randy years ago at a Green Drinks in Philadelphia. It was before the days of Tesla, widespread solar power and organic food sections at the grocery store. People got together to share a beer and dream about a future that would be more sustainable. Things have changed a great deal in the past few years.
Charlotte is a graphic designer based in Philadelphia. She has agreed to share some of her experiences and insights so that we all might have an easier path to financial security.
Charlotte has been interested in supporting socially responsible investing for many years. I asked her what it means to her. Charlotte said, “For one thing it’s smart. We have a finite amount of resources and we are running out of them. To continue doing things in the old ways is to set yourself up for failure. Green investment is where the growth will be.”
Continue reading “Embracing the Future: An Interview with Charlotte Markward”