By: Mike Wood

The collision between a rapidly changing climate and a globalized, “just-in-time” economy has moved from a future threat to a present-day financial reality. In 2026, climate-driven disruptions are no longer one-off events but structural pressures that have fundamentally altered the viability of conventional investment strategies. In response, investors large and small are beginning to shift their holdings from portfolios that further degrade and destabilize the supporting socio-economic and environmental systems that underpin our global economy, toward investments that reduce instability and build systemic resilience. But the pace of change is not nearly fast enough. Sustainability-based investing of the sort described below must play a much larger role in shaping a future we all want to live in. 

Sentinel High School students spent two days this week getting their hands dirty — planting 35 new trees to restore their campus after losing several in a July 2024 windstorm and shade their school in the future.

Written by Youpa Stein:

“As Rep. Marler has stated, “there are times when government intervention is needed for the good of a greater cause.” The scale of the problems with polystyrene, the urgent need to protect health and the externalized costs all point to the need for responsible regulations. In this case we can’t afford to wait for an abstract theoretical future market response when we have a solution at hand…”

HB 477 would phase out polystyrene (styrofoam) food containers. HB 477 isn’t just about protecting our trout streams, our pristine landscapes, or even our own health; it’s about innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of Montana’s economy.

Nothing like a little positive reinforcement to clean up the air! Families for a Livable Climate Healthy Schools for Montana Kids group recently planned a No Idling Day at Russell Elementary in Missoula.

NorthWestern Energy has recently announced they plan to acquire majority ownership of Colstrip. To express our overwhelming concerns about this issue, we have created a petition and are working to gather thousands of signatures in the coming months. We plan to deliver the petition and signatures to NorthWestern and the PSC at the beginning of April.

On the heels of last month's storm and record-breaking heat, Northwestern Energy announced it will soon triple its use of coal in Montana (by acquiring more shares of Colstrip).

The world's largest banks are currently funding new fossil fuel development and resource exploitation at an alarming rate. While there is much that we can't control, we do have a say in which banks we use.

Third Act, Banking on Your Values

Global Alliance for Banking on Values

Clearwater Credit Union, Values-Based Banking

Climate First Bank

Bank Green