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Many consider climate change to be the defining existential threat to Earth in the 21st century. With emissions continuing to rise, the battle is being lost to prevent the increase of the global average temperature to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Rising above this level will trigger all sorts of cataclysmic environmental results. Fighting climate change will require the motivation of billions and investments of trillions of dollars.
But what if the need to move to clean energy is also one of the best investment opportunities available now? It turns out it is. Nearly three-fourths of all investors are interested in sustainable investments.
According to the Principles for Responsible Investment, the global mobilization to fight climate change among corporations, investors, and governments will create incredible investment opportunities on clean energy in the push to transition to a low-carbon world.
Investors are getting in the game. They are involved in such efforts as Climate Action 100+, the largest corporate/investor engagement initiative to date, and The Investor Agenda, through which investors are showing how they will massively reduce their carbon footprint. This will be done through the support of sustainable agriculture and reducing deforestation, among many other efforts.
Morningstar, an investment research firm, discovered that 72% of the U.S. population is interested in investing in environmental, social, and governance funds. This is true among age cohorts: Millenials and Generation X were statistically identical in their level of interest.
“A lot of people care about sustainability,” said Ryan Murphy, head of decision sciences at Morningstar Investment Management and a co-author of the research. “This is not just a fringe preference. “The idea that this is of interest to a subgroup doesn’t really hold.”
“Many investors are looking for a way to alleviate the potential problems of climate change," said Patrick Sherwin, GoSun CEO. "GoSun provides a unique opportunity because we provide several solutions to massive, global issues. Or technology can cook, cool and charge off-grid, helping people become energy independent and to cut down their emissions. With innovation at the core, in 2018 GoSun launched the first hybrid solar and electric oven through Kickstarter so customers can cook at night. In 2019, the company launched a solar-powered cooler on Indiegogo, that eliminates ice, thus freeing up space, keeping contents from being soaked and smashed.
The interest in sustainable investment goes beyond enthusiasm. It's also back up by hard numbers. In 2018, renewable energy investment hit nearly $300 billion, far outstripping investment in fossil fuels.
There was nearly $140 billion invested in solar in 2018, along with $134 billion in wind energy, according to a UN Global Status Report.
"Investments in renewable energy in 2018 were three times higher than the amount invested in new coal and gas-fired generators,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme.
How you can invest in sustainable energy
Funding sustainability can be done by putting money in investment choices with a high sustainability rating, such as Charles Schwab or Johnson & Johnson. But you can also invest on the crowdsource level.
One great way to get involved is by backing GoSun on Start Engine, an equity crowdfunding site. Start Engine offers a unique equity crowdfunding platform for companies looking to raise capital, and for investors to discover them.
Here's why GoSun is a great company to be a part of. GoSun literally started in an old garage and has now shipped over 35,000 solar products to over 60 countries. GoSun makes a variety of solar products including breakthrough solar ovens, which use vacuum insulation to bake, boil or fry a meal in only 20 minutes, using only sunlight.
After three years in business, GoSun is taking its innovative Solar Energy company to Start Engine, for equity crowdfunding raise. Last year, GoSun sold $1.6 million of solar products, and now they are and raising funds to ramp up all of their efforts. GoSun launched a campaign on October 16, 2019, and it has raised over $150,000 within the first five days.
“Many investors are looking for a way to alleviate the potential problems of climate change," said Patrick Sherwin, GoSun CEO. "GoSun provides a unique opportunity because we provide several solutions to massive, global issues. Or technology can cook, cool and charge off-grid, helping people become energy independent and to cut down their emissions. With innovation at the core, in 2018 GoSun launched the first hybrid solar and electric oven through Kickstarter so customers can cook at night. In 2019, the company launched a solar-powered cooler on Indiegogo, that eliminates ice, thus freeing up space, keeping contents from being soaked and smashed.
This article is part of our larger information resource on green investing. To see our Ultimate Guide to Socially Responsible Investing, click here.
