Millennials: 5 Ways to Help Save the World — and Make a Profit
These days it seems like there are numerous issues spanning the globe that need to be dealt with collectively.
Issues such as climate change and escalating violence are just a few of the growing problems that need to be addressed to preserve a better life now and for future generations.
With all these problems, it’s natural to want to make a difference doing whatever you can to help.
One growing trend are companies that are being run to make a profit, but also with a social benefit or charity in mind.
Although not everyone can start a business, with investing, you can find top companies that will grow your wealth over the long term in addition to making a positive impact on the planet solving a major problem that desperately needs to be addressed.
Here are five ways you can help save the planet and make a tidy profit doing so.
Green energy
The first way you can help save the world is by investing in a renewable energy company like TransAlta Renewables Inc. Renewable energy will be key for the world going forward, and TransAlta Renewables is one of the leading companies on the TSX.
It owns more than 2,400 megawatts of generating capacity with 34 renewable power facilities located in 10 different regions.
Its stock is up nearly 50% the last year, yet its dividend still offers an attractive 5.3% yield so you can collect passive income, while watching your capital appreciate and knowing you’re helping the environment.
Emission reduction
Despite the growth in renewable energy around the world and especially in Canada, energy still comes from fossil fuels. One company that is helping to reduce the emissions that these companies inevitably pollute is Questor Technologies Inc.
Questor provides companies with technology to harness waste gasses and reduce emissions by 99%. On top of the green benefits though, its technology can also use these trapped gasses to create power or heat for its customers, ultimately helping them to save on costs while helping the environment.
The stock is up more than 550% over the last three years as its technology catches on and the company grows it sales. Despite that major increase, however, it’s still only a $135 million company, so there’s plenty of room for it to grow another 500% or more.
Improved security
One unfortunate trend that’s been growing around the world is the frequency of harmful attacks being carried out; however, Patriot One Technologies Inc has been creating cutting-edge technology to help prevent these from happening.
The company has created systems to detect threats such as concealed weapons or explosives and can be implemented anywhere to help prevent harmful attacks.
It has a variety of technological and artificial intelligence security systems that can be layered to create the ultimate security package.
The stock is trading near its 52-week low, and at a market cap of just over $180 million, giving it plenty of room to grow considerably as it helps protect the world.
Waste and recycling services
If you want to consider an environmental services company, Waste Connections Inc is the ideal stock to buy. The company is responsible for waste management and recycling services in many industries across North America.
Most important, the company is one of the best at recycling and reusing old materials, reducing its footprint by creating clean renewable energy through methane gasses it traps and other hazardous waste it’s responsible for.
Waste Connections is the biggest of these five stocks, with a market cap north of $35 billion. It’s still a great growth investment though, as its stock’s up more than 75% in just the last three years.
Filtration and purification
Xebec Adsorption Inc the last company on the list, designs and manufactures air purification products that transform raw gasses into clean energy.
The company is well positioned as the world shifts to cleaner energy, and just announced its first renewable gas infrastructure project.
At a market cap of $300 million, investors can get in on the ground floor, so don’t miss this opportunity to invest in clean energy while making a healthy profit at the same time.
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Fool contributor Daniel Da Costa has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of Questor Technology Inc.
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