How We're Greening America

From the most recent issue of our magazine, Green American, where we update readers on the progress we've made over the last quarter on climate, finance, food, labor, social justice, and more.

We made tremendous progress building the green economy in 2024. Since our founding 40 years ago, Green America has focused on how consumers, businesses, and investors together can create a greener, fairer world, without Washington. And we're seeing the results all around us-from farmers and companies embracing regenerative agriculture, to corporations rapidly investing in solar and wind, companies taking responsibility for toxic chemicals in their supply chains, and the thriving marketplace for small green businesses nationwide.

In 2025, with an administration that opposes solutions to the climate crisis and supports the agendas of large corporations advancing profits at the expense of everyone else, we are prepared for this moment. We'll accelerate our green economy work on behalf of people and the planet and make progress on the most crucial issues no matter what happens in Washington-while pushing back against the worst actions coming out of Washington.

Advancing Clean Energy and Climate Solutions

Our Hang Up on Fossil Fuels campaign is moving the communications sector to 100% renewable energy that supports energy justice. Verizon is now committed to 100% renewable energy, following T-Mobile's lead. And AT&T is ramping up renewables as well. Our Cool It campaign is getting commitments from giant grocery chains to phase out climate-destroying refrigerants, with Kroger announcing the use of natural refrigerants that protect the planet in all its new stores.

In 2025, we'll put pressure on Comcast (which owns media giants NBC and Universal) and the tech sector to address the growing energy use of massive data centers and artificial intelligence. We'll up the pressure on grocery chains to protect the planet with climate-friendly refrigerants. And, at the state level, we'll work with local and national allies to stop California from pursuing biomass-cutting down forests to create energy overseas.

Accelerating Regenerative Food and Agriculture

We're advancing regenerative agriculture at the farm and local level. Our Soil & Climate Initiative now covers 250,000 acres of regenerative farmland that sequesters carbon, protects soil health, and creates more nourishing foods. We've also registered over 26,000 Climate Victory Gardens nationwide drawing down carbon in backyards and communities. Our gardening webinars and resources reach over half a million people each year, and we mobilize our audiences to get food giants to end their use of harmful pesticides, with B&G foods (owner of Green Giant) taking initial steps to phase out the worst ones.

In 2025, we'll work in Kansas to transition wheat to regenerative practices, with a long-term goal of all 5 million acres of wheat supporting climate and soil health. We'll add another 5,000 registered Climate Victory Gardens, while working to bring organic and regenerative produce to communities that need it most. And we'll build on our work to get large companies like Target, B&G Foods, and Conagra (think Orville Redenbacher and Act II popcorn) to remove toxic pesticides from their supply chains.

Securing Labor Justice

Our Clean Electronics Production Network launched a new chemical safety training program for workers and managers to protect electronics workers from toxic chemical exposures. Our Pay Your Workers campaign mobilized consumers, media, and activists on the ground to pressure Specialized Bicycles to start paying workers for back wages they were owned when their factory shut down.

In 2025, we'll pilot a new chemical safety training program in Vietnam, where electronics companies are increasingly moving their production. We'll increase our pressure on large companies to pay workers worldwide wages they're owed. And with federal and state enforcement of child labor laws likely decreasing in 2025, we'll publish a Dirty Dozen list of US companies that are using child labor and put pressure on them to end the practice.

Growing Responsible Investing

At a time when large insurers are dropping customers in states hit by climate disasters while heavily investing in the fossil fuels that drive climate change, our Responsible Finance Campaign launched the new Climate Smart Insurance Directory to help people nationwide find insurers with little to no investments driving the climate crisis. And we fought the increasing attacks from Republicans at the federal and state level against socially responsible investing and corporate diversity, quity, and inclusion programs.

In 2025, we'll launch our upgraded Get a Better Bank Directory, making it easier to find thousands of banks and credit unions that are working to build up communities nationwide. We'll promote resources to make it simpler for all investors to bank and invest responsibly. And we'll continue to defend socially responsible investing and corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from right wing attacks.

Growing the Green Marketplace with Consumers and Green Businesses

We reached millions of consumers online, and in earned and social media, with information about how to live, shop, and invest green, helping people find true green products and services. And we expanded our guides, webinars, and blogs to help the small and local companies in our Green Business Network deepen their social and environmental commitments and expand their customer base.

In 2025, we'll increase our green living content and help people support Black, Brown, LGBTQ+, and women-owned businesses that are working to create a better world. And we'll launch an incubator to support green businesses plus a podcast to help businesses across the country go green.