You’re right. This goal may not be “accomplished” It’s maybe more like a path than a destination.

You might want to check out the Domini Index mutual funds (named after its founder who was named something like Annie Domini… which just makes me chuckle for some silly reason. Like that’s what you’d name a cartoon character who’s a school girl at a Catholic school.) Even if you don’t want to own the mutual fund itself, the index of companies might give ideas you could investigate for investments.

Also for long distance phone service… assuming you need such a thing, you might want to check out Working Assets.

There’s a school of thought in socially conscious investing that you buy a single share of certain companies in order to exercise your proxy vote at shareholder meetings and steer them in a more ethical direction. I know I don’t have the patience for this and I’m not 100% certain it works but it’s sure an interesting perspective.