| Investing in "green" companies has become | | | | alternative fuel vehicles. In the long run, these |
| popular as people have become more aware of | | | | types of vehicles are expected to become |
| environmental issues such as peak oil and global | | | | increasingly popular as new alternative fuel |
| warming. But just as investing in "dot coms" | | | | methods are developed and refined. Smaller |
| during the 90s was the trend of the times, | | | | manufacturers are emerging as well, as an |
| "green" is also a trend and should not be taken as | | | | increasing number of consumers turn to scooters, |
| an indicator of guaranteed profits. In fact, | | | | bicycles and short range electric vehicles for local |
| investing in "green" companies can be quite risky | | | | transportation. |
| due to under-capitalization and lack of operating | | | | In the US, water shortages have begun to be |
| history due to their start-up status. But you can | | | | predicted as a result in population growth, changes |
| reduce the risk by investing in established | | | | in weather patterns as a result of global warming, |
| companies that are strategically adding green | | | | and aging infrastructure. In response, there is an |
| methods and systems to their existing business | | | | increasing amount of research being done on how |
| models. Here are a few industries to consider. | | | | to convert salt water into potable fresh water |
| Existing energy companies across the globe are | | | | (desalinization), how to efficiently recycle gray |
| researching and developing alternative fuels. All of | | | | water for household use, and other methods of |
| the major oil companies are expanding into wind, | | | | recycling water on a large scale for industrial use. |
| solar and geothermal energy systems. And local | | | | Since much of the future of any "green" |
| utility companies across the United States are | | | | company rests on its ability to fund research and |
| already introducing wind and solar power options | | | | development, the smart investment move is to |
| to their customers. As many states make tax | | | | look for the older companies that have deep R |
| credits available to residents for installing solar | | | | & D pockets and that have a long term |
| panels, local utility companies are creating energy | | | | strategy of developing alternative products and |
| buy-back programs that should be effective in | | | | methods. The world is in transition trying to adjust |
| increasing profitability. | | | | to its increasing demands on limited resources. So |
| In response to increasing consumer demand, the | | | | there is no doubt that companies will create |
| transportation industry has already made a | | | | alternative products and systems. Its just a |
| commitment to alternative fuels. Automobile | | | | mater of selecting the healthiest of those |
| companies like Honda, Toyota and Saturn are | | | | companies for your investment portfolio. |
| aggressively manufacturing and promoting | | | | |