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To: President Joseph B. Moore and the Board of Trustees,

Fossil Free Lesley

As public pressure to confront climate change builds, we call on Lesley University to immediately freeze any new investment in fossil fuel companies and to divest existing divestments within five years from direct ownership and from any commingled funds that include fossil fuel public equities and corporate bonds. We believe such action on behalf of Lesley will not only be a sound decision for our institution’s financial portfolio, but also for the wellbeing of its current and future graduating classes, who deserve the opportunity to graduate with a future not defined by climate chaos.

Global climate change is accelerating. We can see from increased global temperatures, extreme weather events and scientific research that carbon emissions are having a direct and lasting impact on our planet. We are already above the limit of 350 parts per million CO2 that scientists consider safe for our climate. Also, we have already seen the cost and devastation that can come as a result of climate change. From Typhoon Haiyan, to Hurricane Sandy, to the accelerating erosion of the Maldives, it is clear that climate change comes with an astronomical cost.

Why is this important?

Lesley University prides itself on preparing its students to be “socially responsible... catalysts [for] shaping a more just, humane, and sustainable world.” We believe that by investing in fossil fuels, we are not honoring our mission. If we stray from our core beliefs, we then jeopardize the integrity of our institution. We are excited to work in solidarity with you and the Board of Trustees on realigning our investments with our values.

For the good of our students and our nation, and to preserve the quality of life for this and future generations worldwide, we call upon you to join a growing movement of schools around the country that are committed to preventing a more extreme climate by moving Lesley’s endowment beyond fossil fuels.

How it will be delivered

We plan to deliver the petition via email and in person at a future board meeting if possible.

Lesley University, Everett Street, Cambridge, MA, United States

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Updates

2014-10-29 18:41:55 -0400

100 signatures reached

2014-10-22 14:07:52 -0400

50 signatures reached

2014-10-22 12:28:03 -0400

25 signatures reached

2014-10-19 20:14:49 -0400

10 signatures reached