Green indulgnces

As a certified 'green' financial advisor, it is interesting to me the stories that come across my desk about all the new innovations in the eco-friendly world. For the average consumer, you can buy things in any variety from hybrid to electric to wind and solar powered now…but what does it all mean?

Today I read an article, possibly from someone playing devil's advocate, but none-the-less aruging that not all carbon offsets are authentic and reliable. It seems that in the area of carbon offsets and buying carbon credits, the wealthy continue to live the way they always have (private jets and multiple drivers)…then pay a hefty price to 'offset' their 'footprint'. The companies that transact this type of business claim to plant trees, convert coal to natural gas, etc. Don’t get me wrong, there are some very honest companies that are actually following through, but unless we hold even these enthusiats accountable, it does nothing more than clean our conscience, and not the environment.

For reliable sources, check out www.climateregistry.com or www.cleanair-coolplanet.org for lists of certified activists that follow through on their promise to you as a consumer and to our fragile planet.

Passion for a change

I would be remiss unless I mentioned the recent passing of a world leader, a woman who stood for what she believed right until the very end. Benazir Bhutto ran Pakistan as she saw it in the future--a place of peace and prosperity--, not how the people and her killers wanted it to be--a place of hatred and violence. A few years ago at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC I had the extreme priviledge of meeting Ms Bhutto and the president of her party, Kasim. She radiated with the promise of democracy in her country that she loved. I am sad to see her life and work cut short but hope that her son can continue her legacy where she left off. Rest in Peace beautiful one.

Pinstripes: Doing well by doing good

I have been interested lately to look seriously into an executive MBA program. This would require me to study and work for a few years in order to complete a Masters degree. Yet in the growing world of specializations, titles, and expertise becoming more important distinguinsh myself, this would be a minor road bump in the journey. Right now, the thought is completely overwhelming….but I think all the while, fully do-able.

There are hundreds of great business schools and thousands more programs that sound interesting to pursue, so I quickly became overwhelmed with the resources and where to begin. Busniess Week website puts out the top ‘B’ schools ('B' read Business) issue every year which is a good place to start. However, a great resource that I have found, which pertains to a more specific area of study that I might choose is a website called Beyond Grey Pinstripes. Fabulous resource pertaining to the idea of ranking business schools based on their social and environmental stewardship, curriculum, and research. Now that sounds fun to me! It will take me a long time to really narrow down what I want to invest my time and study to, but if you are anything like me and this sounds appealing…check it out here: http://www.beyondgreypinstripes.org/index.cfm. If nothing else, you can be learning about something which the corporate world knows little about (by this I mean Social Responsibility), and can add to your knowledge about doing well for both the environment and your career at the same time!

Until that day when I will wear both a pinstripe suit and a backpack in the same outfit (usually a fashion no-no)….happy searching and please share any other resources you might know of with me also.