As You Sow’s resolutions with Amazon are paying off.
[Image alt text: As You Sow® banner with logo, image of mountains and a lake, and text saying: The nation’s leading non-profit shareholder advocate, with a 30+ year track record of changing corporations for good]Dear John,
As the world realizes this month’s extreme weather may be the new normal, we’re more thankful than ever to have your support in taking bold action on climate change. From helping stop the flow of plastic into our oceans, to exposing the hidden racial injustice in our 401(k)s, here are examples of the powerful and crucial impact your support is having right now.
[Image alt text: Amazon paper mailer] < [link removed] >
Amazon Reports Significant Drop in Plastic Use After As You SowResolution
In 2022, Amazon used 12% less single-use plastic to ship orders to customers. This significant drop in plastic use, as well as plans to phase out plastic mailers, are actions sought in shareholder resolutions filed by As You Sow over the last three years.
“[This represents] significant achievements by Amazon towards meeting reduction goals that will lead to less plastic waste,” said Conrad MacKerron, Senior Vice President at As You Sow. “We are pleased the company has heard the strong voice of shareholders on this issue and responded.”
Amazon’s reduction in plastic use comes on the heels of Walmart’s recent commitment to phase out the use of plastic mailers in the U.S.
[Image alt text: Nuclear bomb mushroom cloud] < [link removed] >
401(k) Funds Funnel Billions into Nuclear Arms and Other Controversial Weapons
A new analysis < [link removed] > from As You Sow found that the largest U.S. mutual fund managers, responsible for funds found within thousands of corporate 401(k) plans, have significant investments in nuclear and other controversial weapons like white phosphorus and cluster bombs.
Sustainable investing has traditionally avoided weapon investments not only for moral reasons, but with the goal of avoiding the financial risk inherent in the business models of arms manufacturers.
“Many investors, given a choice, would not want to profit from companies that manufacture weapons of mass destruction,” said Andrew Behar, CEO of As You Sow. “Yet nearly every retirement plan has nuclear and other controversial weapons embedded in their plan. Our new ratings empower investors with the tools to know what they own so they can invest their money in alignment with their values.”
The new Fund Manager Military Weapon Ratings are the latest addition to As You Sow’s Weapon Free Funds investment tool < [link removed] > , built to help responsible investors prioritize peace and people.
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Community Building and Networking Events in Philadelphia and Washington, DC
Join us in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Sept 13, 6:00pm – 8:00pmat Liquid Art Barrel House for Inspiring Change with As You Sow and ImpactPHL < [link removed] > . This event will have a lively discussion on shareholder advocacy, aligning your investments with your values, and inspiring change through corporate action with As You Sow’s CEO, Andrew Behar. Sign up here < [link removed] > .
If you’re in the Washington, DCarea, connect with As You Sow’s CEO, Andrew Behar and Board Chair, Cari Rudd on Thursday, Sept 14, 6:00pm – 8:00pmin Woodley Park for Let’s Talk Climate < [link removed] > . We hope you will join us to discuss climate, clean energy transitions, and the power of shareholder advocacy. Sign up here < [link removed] > .
For questions, please reply here or email me directly at
[email protected] < mailto://
[email protected] > .We hope to see you there!Nothing changes without you, and we can't thank you enough for standing with us now and in the future. Your unwavering support is crucial in helping us work towards securing a safer, greener, and more peaceful world. We’d love for you to renew your commitment to As You Sow’s work. If you’d like to make a donation online, you may do it here < [link removed] > .
For the future, [Image alt text: Photo of Jenna Belisle] Jenna L. Belisle
Director of Individual Giving
In 2023, shareholders voted over $1.9 trillion of share value in support of As You Sow resolutions. Out of our 210 corporate engagements, we resolved over 75% without requiring a shareholder vote at the annual meeting. To learn more, watch our Proxy Preview Review webinar < [link removed] > .
Donate < [link removed] >
As You Sow’s30+ year track record promoting corporate responsibility spans a broad range of the most important environmental and social issues facing corporations, investors, and citizens today, including climate change, ocean plastics, pesticides, racial justice, workplace diversity, and executive compensation. < [link removed] > < [link removed] > < [link removed] > < [link removed] >
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