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

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...

read more
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

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 ...

read more
Press Release 9/30/20: Investment in Southern Illinois communities and people is the focus of this upcoming webinar series

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 ...

read more
Press release 9/23/20: Local fundraiser looks to stir up community support for free solar installations at local nonprofits

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...

read more

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...

read more

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...

read more
Key Takeaways, Presentations, Videos from June 12 2019 Event in Carbondale

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...

read more
Innovation Panel – June 12 2019 – Carbondale, Illinois

Innovation Panel – June 12 2019 – Carbondale, Illinois

The Innovation Section, with keynote and panelists, will wrap up the day's events at The Climate Economy in Southern Illinois - Creating Resilient Business, Jobs and Communities. The cultivation of southern Illinois' rich natural resources and waste streams  are...

read more
A Fashion Transformation

A Fashion Transformation

"One truckload of clothing is wasted per second." Are you kidding me? This is from the findings of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's (EMF) new report on the textile industry. Also this: "If the industry continues on its current path, by 2050, it could use more than 26...

read more
Why the Climate Economy #5: Um, Climate.

Why the Climate Economy #5: Um, Climate.

We humans kind of need planet Earth to be healthy so that we can all, well, survive. If the planet gets really sick, the only ones who will survive will likely be those hydrothermal vent creatures and super rich who can escape to the moon or Mars. Do you fall into...

read more
What is the Circular Economy?

What is the Circular Economy?

The Circular Economy takes the old fashioned linear take-make-dispose model and turns it circular, designing out waste and optimizing resource use. It's not just recycling, it's more like designing the product from the start to be zero-waste. Businesses save money by...

read more