Climate Finance and Community Propserity
According to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures:
For many investors, climate change poses significant financial challenges and opportunities, now and in the future. The expected transition to a lower-carbon economy is estimated to require around $1 trillion of investments a year for the foreseeable future, generating new investment opportunities. At the same time, the risk-return profile of organizations exposed to climate-related risks may change significantly as such organizations may be more affected by physical impacts of climate change, climate policy, and new technologies. In fact, a 2015 study estimated the value at risk, as a result of climate change, to the total global stock of manageable assets as ranging from $4.2 trillion to $43 trillion between now and the end of the century.
Organizations that invest in activities that may not be viable in the longer term may be less resilient to the transition to a lower-carbon economy; and their investors will likely experience lower returns. Compounding the effect on longer-term returns is the risk that present valuations do not adequately factor in climate-related risks because of insufficient information.
Just that right there could keep an army of people busy. But we’re not just talking about traditional finance here. Several organizations are already making strides in new local ownership models and community-powered ventures and investments, including the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Common Future. Author Marjorie Kelly, in Keeping Wealth Local, sums up the power of individual community and rural residents:
Community prosperity rests on the ability of residents to make the most of the resources they have on hand. This means (1) recognizing the assets a community has, (2) managing them in effective ways, and (3) using appropriate ownership and wealth-control designs to define, capture and benefit from those assets.
Models of shared ownership include cooperatives, employee ownership, community land trusts, community covenants and easements, and more. The power of communities to produce what their people need locally and to provide opportunities for everyone to contribute in their own unique ways is largely untapped and waiting to be explored. Author Michael Shuman and other have provided a wealth of information on these topics over the years; view presentations by Michael here and here.
Virtual Event this Saturday Provides Education, Community Conversations, Networking and Celebration of Community Resilience and Sustainability
Everyone is encouraged to attend this virtual event, to find their niche in the upside of taking action on climate change. This event, held virtually this Saturday, August 28, 1-3:30 p.m., aims to accentuate bold action on climate change—action that leads to improved...
Life Cycle Analysis – Coal produces 25 times more greenhouse gases than solar photovoltaics
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Press Release 10/02/20: Local solar business wants to donate solar systems worth $20,000 each to local nonprofits that can generate the most community support over the next two weeks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2020 Contacts: Aur Beck, AES Solar, 618 893 1717, tech@aessolar.com; Amy McMorrow Hunter, The Climate Economy Education Inc, 618 713 2896, amy@theclimateeconomy.com Website: https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/story/Coal2sol ...
Press Release 9/30/20: Investment in Southern Illinois communities and people is the focus of this upcoming webinar series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2020 Contact: Byram Fager, Southern Illinois Community Foundation, 618 997 3700, blfager@sicf.org; Amy McMorrow Hunter, The Climate Economy Education Inc, 618 713 2896, amy@theclimateeconomy.com Website: www.keepingmoneylocal.com ...
Press release 9/23/20: Local fundraiser looks to stir up community support for free solar installations at local nonprofits
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 23, 2020 Contacts: Aur Beck, 618 893 1717, tech@aessolar.com; Amy McMorrow Hunter, The Climate Economy Education Inc, 618 713 2896, amy@theclimateeconomy.com Local fundraiser looks to stir up community support for free solar...
CLEANetwork – CLimate Economy Action Network
WHAT IS THE CLIMATE ECONOMY ACTION NETWORK (CLEAN)?The Climate Economy Education Inc (TCE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that provides education, ideas and resources about how to thrive in a world with a changing climate by reconnecting to nature, our fellow...
Metro East Kickoff – Local Community Investment and Funding Strategies – May 27 2020
Presenters and PanelistsA million thanks to our keynote presenter and our panel of experts! Listen to author and economist Michael H. Shuman discuss local community investment strategies. Michael Shuman is an economist, attorney, author, and entrepreneur, and a...
Metro East Kickoff – Regenerative Organic Agriculture – May 13 2020 – And Funding Resources
Much appreciation and thanks goes out to our esteemed presenters and panelists! Presenter L. Hunter Lovins Natural Capitalist Solutions, President, Founder, Author Watch the video on YouTube. Hunter talks about regenerative agriculture, gives examples of...
Women and The Climate Economy
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Saltwater Batteries
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Stop Using Oil – A Spreadsheet
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Visions of the Climate Economy: An Incredible Illustration of the Benefits of a Low-Carbon Future
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Moms and Dads Carbondale Meetups
The first meetup is Friday, September 13, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. at Turley Park in Carbondale, Illinois. We are in charge of buying things for our family, of making sure we can provide for them, and making sure that they get the education they need. We want to do what’s...
Key Takeaways, Presentations, Videos from June 12 2019 Event in Carbondale
Fifteen presenters helped to set the stage for community resilience in southern Illinois. One senior executive from St. Louis said: This is the best networking I've ever had. Panel discussions provided ideas and perspectives on energy, economic...
Innovation Panel – June 12 2019 – Carbondale, Illinois
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Economic Diversification Panel – June 12 2019 – Carbondale, Illinois
Economic development and diversification is a key component of community resilience. Consider this excerpt from L Hunter Lovins et al's "A Finer Future": The key may be to start not with the nation but at a more local level. Imagine what might be called the Just City....
Energy Panel – June 12 2019 – Carbondale, Illinois
Here are some details about the energy panelists and topic areas at the upcoming June 12 event in Carbondale: The Climate Economy in Southern Illinois - Creating Resilient Businesses, Jobs and Communities. Our energy panel is going to help us look at our current...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Conference and Workshop Coming to Carbondale June 12-13: The Climate Economy in Southern Illinois – Creating Resilient Businesses, Jobs and Communities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: May 8, 2019 Contact: Amy McMorrow Hunter, 618 713 2896, amy@shopcarbondale.com Conference and Workshop Coming to Carbondale June 12-13: The Climate Economy in Southern Illinois - Creating Resilient Businesses, Jobs and Communities Education...
Biochar – Expanding Our Economic Choices
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Moral Imagination, Strategic Foresight and Backcasting for Sustainable Futures
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Shop Local – Unleash Your Inner Entrepreneur
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EcoTourism
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Blockchain for Carbon Credits in the Climate Economy
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Biochar: Resurrection
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Natural Climate Solutions: Trees, Water, Land and More for 37% of GHG Reductions in Near Term
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Why the Climate Economy #6: For Future Generations
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Labels for Impact
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Fossil Fuels Aren’t Cheap
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A Fashion Transformation
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Break a Leg, Climate Change
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TCE Opinion: The Paris Climate Agreement “Decision”
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Waste Not Want Not
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Why the Climate Economy #5: Um, Climate.
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Why the Climate Economy #4: Resilience
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Blockchain for Energy
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Why the Climate Economy #1: Money
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