You can use your money to power a cleaner future — here's how to "green" your green

By far, the biggest source of dangerous, heat-trapping gases worldwide are dirty fuels: materials like oil, gas, and coal that we dig up to burn for heating, transportation, and electricity. 

But in order to dig these fuels up, energy companies need funding and insurance, so they're backed by some of the largest banks and retirement funds in the world — which, in turn, get the money for their investments from everyday people.

To power a cleaner future, one of the biggest things you can do is to stop contributing money to these irresponsible investments and choose more eco-friendly — and profitable! — investments like clean energy. 

Here are three of the best ways to put your money where your mouth is and make your green, "green."

Switch to a green bank

Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America are four of the top five biggest lenders to dirty energy companies. According to a recent report, since 2015, they and other large financial institutions have poured $6.9 trillion into this highly polluting industry, generating countless tons of air pollution and driving up the Earth's temperature. 

Banks invest so heavily in this sector that if you have $125,000 or more in your accounts there, your money is probably doing more to heat up the planet than everything else you do combined.

Luckily, there are alternatives: "green banks" that invest in clean energy like solar and wind power instead. 

At many green banks, you can enjoy some or all of the normal functions of a bank — checking accounts, savings, loans, and more. And you can do so while knowing that you're helping the world instead of harming it. Trying out a green bank is not an all-or-nothing situation either. You can move some of your money and see how you like the green bank.

Many green banks, including the Climate Access Fund and D.C. Green Bank, are American Green Banks Consortium members. A number of these green banks are investment banks (rather than consumer banks) that may focus on providing access to financing to clients such as solar power developers.

You can find others through Bank For Good's custom search tool, that allows you to browse by location, bank type, account features like mobile check deposit, and other selling points like whether the watchdog org Mighty Deposits has analyzed an institution's community impact.

Some great sustainable banking options include Climate First Bank and Amalgamated Bank.

Opt for a green 401(k)

According to the Investment Company Institute, the 401(k) market holds $8.9 trillion in assets, making it a powerful financial force. 

Investopedia reveals that a huge portion of that money is invested in dirty fuels, and few 401(k) funds have eco-friendly options that avoid them.

It's even harder to find the right green 401(k) plan when some investment companies "greenwash" their funds, presenting themselves as more eco-friendly than they are. 

The Australian corporate pension fund Mercer Superannuation was recently sued for that kind of alleged deception, and a supposed industry leader, the Carlyle Group, was also recently outed as another major offender.

Besides making individual investors complicit in pollution, these investment plans have a huge flaw: As the world turns away from dirty fuels, these once-profitable investment opportunities will likely become much less stable.

The best way to ensure your 401(k) fund matches your values is to look for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment opportunities. 

These programs clarify a company's approach to issues affecting the planet and ensure that you support causes you agree with. The right plan should have a yield on par with traditional investment options. You can learn more about your current plan and locate new ones at Invest Your Values, Carbon Collective, or Green Retirement. These organizations offer resources for employers too. Sphere also has a great tool for tracking your 401(k)'s climate impact.

Invest in the clean economy

As more people become aware of environmental issues, more and more support is going to clean energy, recycling technology, and other environmentally friendly businesses. 

This industry is expanding rapidly, providing a whole realm of investment opportunities that aren't just good for the planet but also your stock portfolio. Clean energy providers are among the high performers. If you're interested in having an expert help you align your investments with your values, check out GreenPortfolio's services. Its vetted experts will give you clear recommendations on how to sustainably invest your money.

The best thing about investing in clean technology is that it's here to stay. Local and even national governments are phasing out older, polluting tech like gas cars and plastic products. Meanwhile, cleaner alternatives like electric cars are booming.

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