Earth Day 2012
A time to reflect on how investors can positively impact the environment
4/17/2012
Four Decades of “Earth Days” Turn a Spotlight on the Environment
A decade into the 21st century, it may be hard to imagine that there was a time when the sweet smell of success was associated with the toxic fumes of a belching smoke stack. That prevailing image of prosperity was changed by a singular event: Earth Day, April 22, 1970, which saw 20 million Americans from coast to coast demonstrate in support of a healthy, sustainable environment.
The work, however, is far from completed. According to the Earth Day Network, more than one billion people around the globe will participate in Earth Day activities on April 22, 2012, to address the need for world leaders to take serious steps to ensure a global sustainable future.
Celebrate Earth Day on the Mall with Calvert
Join Calvert on the National Mall in Washington D.C., to celebrate Earth Day 2012.
If you are in the Washington, D.C., area over the weekend of April 21 and 22, please come Walk the Green Carpet™ with Calvert. As the only financial industry exhibitor at this year's festival, Calvert will have a major presence. Along with an opportunity to have your photo taken by a photographer on our celebrity-inspired green (instead of red) carpet, visitors to Calvert's display will have ample opportunity to learn about how sustainable and responsible investing works. We will be offering 5 minute "chats" about a variety of current topics with relevance to our engagement with companies and issues relating to the environment. In addition, Calvert will be underwriting two round table discussions behind the main stage with a variety of thought leaders such as Congresspersons, celebrities, scientists and other environmental leaders. A trailer for our new short film on water and energy will also be shown to the crowd. Check back after Earth Day weekend to see how it all went!
Calvert Supports the Goals of Earth Day
Calvert Investments supports the goals of Earth Day and has been a leader in the field of sustainable and responsible investing (SRI) for over 25 years. Our credo has always been that responsible management of environmental, social, and governance factors contributes to sound financial performance, which in turn can translate into long-term shareholder value.
Investment Opportunities
Investors have unprecedented opportunities to address the need for long-lasting solutions to two of the globe’s most vexing problems: providing clean, fresh water to its growing populations and discovering and utilizing sources of alternative energy. Regarding water, the United Nations predicts that by 2050 two-thirds of the world will be “water stressed.” In terms of energy, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that global primary energy demand will rise 50% between now and 2030.
As global populations grow, the efficiency of energy production and water systems will need to improve. This will necessitate better engineering, planning, and management practices, as well as create a vast market for new technologies that improve efficiency, including meters, pumping systems, and more. The opportunity now exists for investors to become part of a wider solution to issues that affect all of us.
Learn more about Calvert Global Water Fund or Calvert Global Alternative Energy Fund.
Note: Mutual Funds that concentrate investments in a specific sector may be more volatile than traditional mutual funds.
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