Clean Edge Can Help Investors Profit From Clean Tech

The world needs to be saved. The global climate crisis threatens our planet. But for every mayor like Greg Nickels of Seattle, who encourages people to drink tap water rather than bottled, or for every consumer who chooses reusable tote bags when shopping, there are thousands of cars and factories cropping up in developing countries such as China and India that cancel those actions out.

Small steps by individuals certainly can help, but major progress is not going to be made in solving the worldwide crisis without major action.

Major action will happen when people realize they can profit from making environmentally conscious choices.

To that end, Clean Edge is here to help.

The company, founded in 2000 by Ron Pernick and Joel Makower, is a research and publishing firm that strives to help investors, companies and governments learn about and profit from using clean technology.

Clean Edge "tracks and analyzes clean-tech markets, trends, and opportunities through its network of partners and affiliates," according to the company's website. "Clean Edge, with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland Oregon, offers unparalleled insight and intelligence on the emerging clean-tech economy."

Clean Edge's products and services include market research reports, the Clean-Tech Investor Summit, strategic consulting services, a daily newsfeed and a monthly newsletter. But perhaps the most useful and unique tool they offer investors are the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Indexes. These are "benchmark indexes which track U.S.-listed clean-energy companies," according to the website.

"The NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index (CLEN) and the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index (CELS) are modified market capitalization-weighted indices designed to track the performance of companies that are primarily manufacturers, developers, distributors, or installers of clean-energy technologies. An exchange traded fund (ETF) is based on the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index and is sponsored by First Trust Advisors L.P.," according to the website.

If enough people invest in clean technology, and make clean technologies viable on a large scale, the world can be changed.

Pssst - A Little Secret

In theory, this blog is supposed to discuss interesting people doing exciting things within the world of real estate and other alternative investments as well as highlight new technology and interesting news.

Today’s post, however, is going to be a little different. I suppose you could categorize it into "interesting things."

In my position at NuWire, I’m always looking for ways to engage investors, service providers and people who just want to learn about alternative investments. It’s a bonus if I get to do it in a way that’s exciting and new and helpful. That being said, I’m always looking around for the next best thing. I’m always looking for ways to educate readers.

I’m about to scoop you on something (sense the buildup).

One of my top informants for the past year has been the Rain City Guide, a contributor-run blog out of Seattle. Not all of the contributors write about Seattle-related topics; in fact, some of the most compelling information about the newest and biggest and best within real estate is in this blog. Many of the contributors have their own websites and blogs, which I also enjoy keeping up with. Dustin, who also writes 4realz, is a favorite of mine to read.

I think aside from Top Pot Doughnuts and my favourite guilty pleasures, Impulse and Lambs Ear, Rain City Guide is one of the best-kept secrets in Seattle. (And you thought I was going to say Starbucks).

I’d encourage you to check it out. Multiple posts are made daily, and I bet that soon you, too, will be adding RCG to your blog roll.

Now, go tell all of your friends my little secret.