Renewable Energy is no longer an alternative choice but rather a necessary shift if our planet is going to last the way we want it to. Emerging Green Markets offers investors ways to not only benefit financially, but to participate in shaping the future of our Earth as well
Whilst some governments and industries might be slow on the imperative shift towards renewable energy, the change is happening. Bottom line is the more demand there is, the more supply will happen. If you are an entrepreneur or investor, this sector of the market is ripe for getting involved financially
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What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are naturally replenished. In 2006, about 18% of global final energy consumption came from renewables, with 13% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3% from hydroelectricity. New renewables (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for another 2.4% and are growing very rapidly.[1] The share of renewables in electricity generation is around 18%, with 15% of global electricity coming from hydroelectricity and 3.4% from new renewables / wikipedia
Where to Start?
You may not want to invest for financial gain just yet – but you can contribute towards tipping the scales of renewable versus fossil fuel energy:
Solar-Aid
Two of the biggest threats facing humanity today are climate change and global poverty. SolarAid helps to combat both, simply by bringing clean, renewable power to the poorest people in the world
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Practical Action
Practical Action’s energy projects aim to increase poor people’s access to energy technology options, through improving the efficiency and productivity of biomass use, and through small scale, low cost, off-grid electricity supply
See what they do
If you are ready to invest:
ONE: Look to China for the formation of new companies involved in renewable energy sources. Four Chinese companies, engaged in alternative energy include: Suntech Power Holdings, China Biodiesel International, Renesola and China Sun Biochem. Alternative energy companies doing significant business in China include: Canadian Solar Inc., Nordex, Camco International and Suzlon.
TWO: Identify and invest in established companies that are moving into the renewable energy market. This type of investment is less risky than investing in small start-ups. Favorable established companies include: GE, Sharp Solar, Johnson Controls and Waste Management.
THREE: Consider investing in companies that are part of the Climate Action Partnership. Together, these companies are lobbying for a nationwide reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Participating companies include: GE, DuPont, Alcoa, Caterpillar, Duke Energy, PG&E, BP, FPL Group, PNM Resources and Lehman Brothers.
FOUR: Watch for the formation of renewable energy focused mutual funds. While there are not many to choose from currently, such funds will appear in the future. Current funds include the New Alternatives Fund and the Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund.
FIVE: Check out exchange traded funds (ETF’s) which can be bought and sold like stocks. Funds to look for include the following: PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy, PowerShares WilderHill Progressive Energy, Market Vectors Global Alternative Energy and First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge US Liquid.
