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Subject: permaculture
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- From: "Michael Kramer" <MKramer@hawaii.rr.com>
- To: <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: [permaculture] permacultural investing
- Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2004 15:54:14 -1000
A lot of people ask me about the relationship
between my work as a permaculture teacher trainer and my profession as
a socially responsible investment (SRI) advisor. Aside from the fact the SRI is
one of the topics included in the invisible structures component of the basic
design course, there hasn't been a whole lot of attention within the
permacultural community towards money. Of course, we do have the Permaculture
Credit Union, which is an astounding accomplishment, but I see that more as a
Zone 1-3 strategy, a way to circulate capital amongst like-minded folks towards
more sustainable ends, such as greener car and home loans and permacultural
small business enterprises. As a Zone 4-5 strategy, SRI offers the opportunity
to influence the wider economy by redirecting resources away from degenerative
sectors of the economy, such as polluters, oil, the military-industrial complex,
and sweatshops while supporting more regenerative activities such as organic
food, biodegradable products, and renewable energy. As permaculturists, I hope
we see the value of participating in all the zones of influence, for money is
clearly a tool we can use to hold corporations accountable. The days of
protests, boycotts and lawsuits as our only recourse are over - now we can own
companies and try to change them from the inside or conversely support the
competition if they choose to embrace better practices and products. Little by
little, we can change capitalism so it reflect more of our permacultural values.
It will take time, and certainly there is plenty of compromise along the way,
but the trend is encouraging: 11% of managed money in the stock market is now
socially screened, so we're not talking about small potatoes or fringe people
anymore; it's mainstream. There are 200 SRI mutual funds and $2.3 trillion
invested in better companies and/or community development financial institutions
(including the assets of the Permaculture Credit Union). These are exciting
times; all the corporate scandals are giving rise to far greater ethical
considerations in the rules that govern corporations, which is what's been
needed for generations. So with crisis there is opportunity, and I encourage any
and all permaculturists to put their money where their values are and join the
movement to transform the economy.
Peace,
Michael
-----
Michael Kramer Natural Investment Services P.O. Box 390595 Keauhou, HI 96739 www.NaturalInvesting.com
888-779-1500 "Be the change you wish to see in the
world."
------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
-
[permaculture] permacultural investing,
Michael Kramer, 01/03/2004
-
Re: [permaculture] permacultural investing,
Robyn Francis, 01/05/2004
- Re: [permaculture] permacultural investing, Claude William Genest, 01/05/2004
-
Re: [permaculture] permacultural investing,
Robyn Francis, 01/05/2004
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