Newsletter Sample

Dear Friends,

New Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are piling in, giving sustainable investors an increasingly wide array of choices. Our sponsor (see above) launched the Market Vectors - Global Alternative Energy ETF (NYSE: GEX) on the New York Stock Exchange last week. It tracks the Ardour Global Alternative Energy Index (AGIXL), which consists of 30 clean energy companies worldwide. Ardour is one of our research partners for Progressive Investor.

New Water ETFs also hit the markets this week. Until now, the $1.6 billion PowerShares Water Resources Portfolio ETF (AMEX: PHO) was one of the few ways investors could gain exposure to the water industry. It's shown outstanding performance since its debut in December 2005, but only holds companies that trade on U.S. exchanges. They plan to roll out an international water ETF soon, but competition is finally heating up from new funds - the First Trust ISE Water Index Fund (AMEX: FIW) and Claymore S&P Global Water Index ETF (AMEX: CGW).

First Trust is also U.S.-based, while the Claymore invests in companies globally. Claymore is based on the newly launched S&P Global Water Index.
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There have been some outstanding TV programs on environmental topics lately from Discovery Channel's series Planet Earth: Portrait of the Planet to a PBS special on solar PV technology and an excellent Frontline, the Politics Behind Global Warming, to 20/20's consumer-oriented "what you can do" program.

Starting June 5, PBS is airing a 13- episode "Building Green" series, which will feature how people are employing green building techniques in residential and commercial buildings. "Many people don´t realize that buildings cause more CO2 emissions than cars," said Kevin Contreras, host and creator of the show. "In fact, buildings and their construction account for nearly half of all greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumed in this country each year."

The Sundance channel's, "The Green" is the first regularly scheduled program on the environment (Discovery is also planning a separate environmental channel). Presented by Robert Redford, it help people learn about greening their lifestyles.

You may have heard that Yahoo! also got into the act this week, with its launch of Yahoo!Green, a "one-stop website for the environmentally-concerned." They'll donate a fleet of hybrid taxi cabs to the city that wins their "greenest city" contest. Finally, celebrity Ed Begley, Jr. launched a green community, which offers topic specific forums centered on environmental issues.

And the Statue of Liberty was just certified by the Green Restaurant Association for its use of biodegradable/ compostable cups; water efficient kitchen; educating employees to conserve water; and for using recycled, chlorine-free toilet paper and paper towels.

Until Next Time,

RONA