Climate change, as caused by the emissions of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, poses a huge threat to the livelihoods of billions of people on this planet. Extreme weather conditions, such as the massive floods, wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, and melting ice caps we have experienced in the last few years alone, are a clear sign that climate change must be taken seriously, and acted upon promptly. Experts agree that global warming caused by humans burning fossil fuels will continue to accelerate and intensify these tragic climate disasters. The scientific consensus is clear and overwhelming; we cannot safely burn even half of global fossil-fuel reserves without dangerously warming the planet for several thousand years. In such a dire situation, it is imperative that we, as an institution, do everything in our power to solve this issue.

Our University is 'dedicated' to sustainability and Indigenization, yet is invested in the fossil fuel industry. If we are actually committed to sustainability and building respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous peoples and nations then the University would not be heavily invested in fossil fuel industries who benefit from the destruction of the planet. The University and the administration need to step up NOW, TODAY, and make a change. It's not good enough to be the second to last university in Canada who chooses to take climate action seriously. Students - Universities should be leaders in combatting the major social problems of our time – such as climate change and social justice – not continuing to prop up and support outdated, dirty fossil fuel energy that harms communities. Students are already leading; universities need to get on board! Divesting from fossil fuels creates an opportunity to reinvest in clean energy that strengthens communities and builds a 21st-century economy, creating good new jobs. Universities are supposed to be preparing us for our future, but instead, they’re contributing to its destruction; these hypocritical actions need to end. Remaining invested in fossil fuels puts a stain on our school’s reputation - will we be proud to be U of S alumni with a degree that is soaked in oil? Or could we be proud of our education, institution, and administrators who took a stand as climate leaders who lead the way? Faculty - We ask you to stand with us. You teach us about sustainability and climate change, the wrongs of wrecking the environment, the desperate need to build respectful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities, yet work within an institution who says one thing but acts against those morals and values. Please stand with us - we want to see accountability from our institution and we ask you for your support.

Our future is in the balance!

It is recognised across the world that global temperatures must remain no more than 2°C higher than in pre-industrial times if climate change is not to destroy our entire way of life. For this to happen, study after study has demonstrated that 80% of currently known fossil fuel reserves must remain in the ground. This view is endorsed by mainstream elements of society, from Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, to the United Nations. Companies like BP and Shell – and the University’s investments in them—are not part of a sustainable future, no matter how they, or the University, might pretend otherwise. Small investments in renewables are far outweighed by the catastrophic impacts of continued oil extraction. In universities around this country and the world, divestment is denying these companies their moral acceptability –. All moral and financial arguments point to the same thing – divestment from fossil fuels.

This is important because the University of Liverpool currently invests £12 million per year in the fossil fuel industry, which is 8% of their endowment. The time to reduce fossil fuel consumption is running out, and by not divesting, the University appears to be endorsing the actions of the fossil industry, and thereby failing to act on the issue of human-induced climate change. Climate change negatively affects the poorest most, and by not divesting from fossil fuels the University shows a callous disregard for the poorest populations and most vulnerable. The university is home to a leading institute for renewable energy research, yet they cannot actively be a world leader in green energy whilst funding the most polluting industry on earth. The students of this University clearly care about the environment and have created a movement within their Guild of Students to help implement a greener University (Green Guild). If this University wishes to abide by the active will of the student body, they will divest from this morally corrupt and ethically questionable industry without delay.

English below Divest MIUN Mittuniversitetet Östersund har flera program och kurser som förbereder den kommande generationen för klimatförändring. En av bygnaderna har ett tak som är fullt med solpaneler och kafeterian servera vegetarisk mat. Forskning kring ämnet finns. Universitetets vision stämmer redan med klimatförändringsfrågan. Östersunds kommun har bestämt att divestera. Men det är fortfarande ett krav att Miun Östersund är en del av att försöka lösa problemet lika mycket som att och sluta vara en del av det. Genom divestering kan vi reducera klimatförändringens oförväntade effekter och utveckla universitets ekonomiska framtid på ett hållbart sätt. Därför kräver vi att universitetet ska minska och över tid avbryta alla fossila investeringar och vara mer transparent i sin ekonomi. Som studenter, personal, alumni, representater och aktieägare av universitetet, tror vi att kostnaden som uppstår är en värdefull investering i vår gemensamma framtid, en förbättring av bilden av Mittuniviversitet och ekonomisk stabilitet. ------ Divest MIUN Mittuniversitet has several programs and courses which prepare the next generation for addressing the issues of climate change. A building's roof is covered in solar panels and the local cafeteria has among other options a daily vegetarian choice. Research is being carried out in the field. The general sentiment is that the university's vision is aligned with the issue of climate change. The municipality of Östersund has already decided to divest. However, it is as necessary that Mittuniversitet Östersund is a part of the solution as it stops being a part of the problem. By taking a proactive approach this institution can reduce the undesirable effects of changing the world's climate and create a more sustainable economic future for itself. Therefore, we demand that the institution wind down all it's investments into fossil fuels and becomes transparent with their economic policy. As students, staff, alumni, representatives, and shareholders of this university, we believe divesting is a worthwhile investment into our common future, the image of the university, and its financial stability.

Un mouvement mondial pour résoudre la crise climatique est en marche et vous pouvez y contribuer en agissant à un niveau local ! Aujourd’hui, les campagnes de désinvestissement des énergies fossiles se multiplient et nous demandons à l’ULB de se joindre au mouvement sans plus tarder. Pourquoi désinvestir des énergies fossiles ? Lors de la COP21, les États du monde entier se sont mis d’accord sur le fait que l’augmentation de la température terrestre moyenne ne doit pas dépasser 2°C (par rapport à l’ère pré-industrielle). L’accord de Paris mentionne même un objectif de 1,5°C. L’utilisation d’énergies fossiles est l’une des plus importantes causes d’émissions de CO2 dans l’atmosphère. Ce gaz est l’un des principaux responsables de l’augmentation de la température terrestre. Pour atteindre cet objectif de 2°C, 80 % des réserves connues d’énergies fossiles ne doivent pas être utilisées et doivent donc rester dans le sol. Pourquoi cibler l’ULB ? L’ULB dispose de fonds (principalement de réserve et de pension) auprès de banques s’élevant à des millions d’euros et comprenant des entreprises liées aux énergies fossiles. Actuellement, l'université ne veut pas nous communiquer les chiffres exacts, et n’a pas conditionné la totalité de ses placements à des critères éthiques. Or, l’ULB pourrait privilégier un investissement socialement responsable et investir dans des énergies renouvelables. En désinvestissant des énergies fossiles, l’ULB rejoindrait plus de 800 organisations dans le monde et deviendrait la 4e université belge à le faire, envoyant un signal fort dans la lutte contre le changement climatique. Pourquoi votre signature est-elle importante ? En octobre 2015, le Conseil d’Administration de l’ULB (CA) a été interpellé sur ses investissements et la possibilité que ceux-ci ne soient plus destinés à des entreprises ayant une activité nocive pour notre planète. A ce jour, ces demandes n’ont suscité que très peu d’intérêt auprès du CA. Durant l’année 2016-2017, l’université a été une nouvelle fois sollicitée de l’intérieur par son Conseil Etudiant ce qui a d’ailleurs abouti à une rencontre avec le recteur. Malgré l’enthousiasme de ce dernier, aucun progrès n’a été observé depuis lors. Pourtant, d'autres institutions et universités ont déjà franchi le pas en retirant la totalité de leurs investissements de l'industrie extractive. Par cette pétition, nous voulons envoyer un signal fort aux autorités universitaires et leur faire savoir que nous, citoyen·ne·s libre·s et responsable·s - étudiant·e·s, diplômé·e·s, enseignant·e·s, chercheur·euse·s, assistant·e·s, membres du personnel administratif, technique et ouvrier, Bruxellois·e·s ou habitant·e·s de cette Terre - n’acceptons pas que l’ULB compromette notre avenir et celui de notre planète en soutenant l’industrie des combustibles fossiles. Nous demandons à l'Université Libre de Bruxelles de faire preuve de responsabilité. En signant cette pétition, je marque mon soutien à la campagne « Fossil Free ULB ». Merci de préciser votre relation avec l'ULB dans votre signature (étudiant·e, membre du corps professoral, employé·e, ancien·ne étudiant·e, sous-traitant·e, etc.). Campagne soutenue par : 350.org Belgium, Greenpeace, BEA, Librex, AIC, Comac, Ecolo J, Cercle Oxfam, Amnesty International ULB, Campus en Transition ULB

ENGLISH VERSION BELOW De klok tikt. Investeren in fossiele brandstoffen betekent investeren in een toekomst van een ongeziene klimaatontregeling. Ook vanuit ons land stromen er nog miljarden euro's aan investeringen richting de steenkool-, olie- en gasindustrie. Ook de VUB belegt haar geld in beleggingsfondsen met fossiele brandstof en onethische bedrijven in. Als Brusselse studenten roepen wij onze universiteit op om haar reserves voortaan strikt fossielvrij en ethisch verantwoord te beleggen. Het is voor onze universiteit een maatschappelijke plicht de fossiele industrie resoluut de rug toe te keren en het leiderschap te nemen in de transitie naar een duurzame toekomst. Jammer genoeg blijven concrete plannen van de VUB om te divesteren op zich wachten. Daarom voeren wij de druk op! Wat vragen wij aan het bestuur van de VUB? -Transparantie en openheid omtrent huidige en toekomstige beleggingen. -Volledig te divesteren uit de fossiele brandstofsector (steenkool-, olie- en gasindustrie) en bij uitbreiding onethische bedrijven (Landen of bedrijven die mensenrechten ernstig overtreden). -Duurzaamheid bij elke toekomstige investering in infrastructuur centraal te stellen. ------------------------------------------ENGLISH VERSION--------------------------------------------------- Time is running out. Investing in fossil fuels is investing in a future of irreversible damage to our planet’s climate. Even in Belgium, billions are spent investing in the coal, oil, and gas industries. The VUB, sadly, is no exception, and possesses investment funds that contain both fossil fuel companies, and unethical investments. We, the students of Brussels, call upon the VUB to invest its capital in a strictly fossil fuel free fashion and ethically responsible fashion. Our university, as a place of science and integrity, has a social responsibility to resolutely step away from the fossil fuel industry, and to take charge in the transition towards a sustainable future. Unfortunately, the VUB has not shown any initiative in divesting from the fossil fuel industry. This is why we’re making a push. Our demands for the VUB administration are as follows: -Transparency and openness on current and future investments -Complete divestment from the fossil fuel industry (coal, gas and oil), and by extension, unethical investments (i.e. governments or companies that infringe on human rights) -To give sustainability a central role in every future investment in infrastructure

Climate change is accelerating. We are witnessing the increasing impacts of a warming planet more and more consistently; in this last year alone our country experienced record-breaking heat, droughts, and hurricanes, which impacted hundreds of thousands of people and cost our country hundreds of billions of dollars. Hurricane Sandy alone caused $50 billion in damages. Experts agree that global warming caused by humans burning fossil fuels will continue to accelerate and intensify these tragic climate disasters. The scientific consensus is clear and overwhelming; we cannot safely burn even half of global fossil-fuel reserves without dangerously warming the planet for several thousand years.

The Students’ Union recently received a response to their freedom of information request Ulster University on their investment portfolio. We had inquired as to Ulster University’s direct investments through Innovation Ulster and those made indirectly through it’s Endowment Fund. It was found that the University invests its Endowment Fund through the Rathbones Active Income and Growth Fund. Without taking into consideration the fund’s direct investments, and bearing in mind that the total amount of money Rathbones are managing for the University is over £7 million, it has invested approximately £80,000 in fossil fuel companies such as Dutch Shell and BP. Furthermore, the University also have significant investments in the tobacco industry (Over £26,000) and most worryingly in the arms industry (£13,000). In this current climate we believe this money should be invested into student facilities and more sustainable alternatives.

At the moment, there is no policy in place which stops our University investing in Fossil Fuels. We want this to change. Even though there are no investments at the moment, doesn't mean they won't in the future. We believe that it is incredibly hypocritical that an institution entrusted to prepare its students for the future should not profit from destroying it at the most fundamental level. As a forward thinking, up and coming university, is it right for Falmouth to profit from such morally questionable industries? If you are a student, academic, alumni or a concerned citizen who feels that Falmouth University should be challenged on this issue please add your signature to this petition and contact Divest Penryn to become more actively involved in this campaign!

We need to take responsability on the future of our life in this country (Israel) and on this planet. We cannot continue with the current energy policy and use fossil fuels as if there's no climate change and there's no limits of use of this resource. We must divest, not only for the future but also for the present. People all over the world and also here, in Israel, are damaged severely by the pollution that is caused by the methods of energy production from fossil fuels. The Hebrew Uni. claims to be the leading University in Israel, it is time for the University to take a stand and join the movement.