Divesting from War
I recently attended a conference at UBC and was surprised by what I saw as I drove past the entrance, pictured in the photo below. I also found a large student encampment of protesters directly outside the building where the conference was held. It was inspiring to see so many UBC students passionately living out their values.
During the conference, someone suggested that we visit the encampment to show support for the students and their cause. It got me thinking about how many of those in the room, who might share similar values with the students, may unknowingly be supporting companies that produce weapons.
It's common for traditional investment portfolios to include companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing, which manufacture jets, missiles, drones, and other military equipment. If this conflicts with your values as an investor, what can you do about it?
First, take a look at your portfolio to see if you're invested in any weapons companies. Check your funds, indexes, or ETFs for these holdings. You can ask your advisor for help or do some research yourself. Don't forget to look into companies with partial involvement in the weapons industry, not just those fully focused on it.
If you find weapons companies in your portfolio and it doesn't sit well with your values, consider making a change. It's simpler than you might think. I can set you up with help to analyze your portfolios and suggest investments that may better align with your values. Starting with a small investment of your time, you can build a portfolio you're proud of.
You have a choice. Investing for your future doesn't have to go against the values you live by in the rest of your life.
Senior Propulsion Fluids Analyst
1moJohn Whitmore look familiar? 9 years later and the test rig is still up and running for the CSU team!