Fossil Fuel Divestment: Colleges & Universities

Colleges and universities are leading the way. Students have always been key to movements of conscience, and this fight is no different.

Institutions of higher education are charged with preparing their students for lifetimes of work and service. But if those institutions are invested in fossil fuel companies, then students’ educations are being subsidized by investments that guarantee they won't have much of a planet on which to make use of their degrees.

Colleges and universities rush to launch greening initiatives, sustainability offices, and environmental curricula, but it makes no sense to green the campus and not the portfolio. Fossil fuel divestment is a reasonable next step -- and it’s the right thing to do.

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Campaigns (109)

  • Monmouth
    Divest Western Oregon University Foundation
    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.
    38 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Beth Bello
  • University of Nebraska - Divest from Fossil Fuels!
    Climate change is one of the most imperative issues of this generation. The Natural Resources Defense Council contends that climate change will cost nearly $1.9 trillion annually if forced to go unchecked. This is an imperative issue that has led to loss of life and property all around the world, including here in Nebraska. In 2019, large floods led to the loss of three lives and threatened the livelihoods of thousands. The total cost of these floods were nearly $3 billion dollars, dealing a large blow to our state. As the climate crisis continues, it is more important than ever that the University takes an active role in helping prevent the issue. Climate change continues to lead to extreme weather events and cause disruption in too many lives. The University of Nebraska should follow the lead of the Association of Big Ten Students and divest from fossil fuels.
    37 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Rohan Thakker
  • San Jose
    Divest SJSU From Fossil Fuels
    It is not sustainable for San Jose State University to invest in fossil fuels. With fossil fuel dependency declining, investing in better performing stocks will be necessary for SJSU. As a student at San Jose State University, I want my school to have corporate social responsibility and not support the fossil fuel industry because of the effects it has on our environment. 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.
    37 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Matthew Nicolay
  • Northwestern University: Go Fossil Free!
    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 $50bn 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. As public pressure to confront climate change builds, we call on Northwestern University to immediately freeze any new investment in fossil-fuel companies, and to divest 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 Northwestern University 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.
    35 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Kelvin Ho
  • Stop Funding Climate Change, University of Chicago
    Climate change is accelerating. 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.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 the University of Chicago's endowment beyond fossil fuels.
    35 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Alicia Klepfer
  • Savannah
    Divest SCAD From Fossil Fuels
    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.
    30 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Karen Briceno
  • Normal
    Fossil Free ISU - Divest Illinois State
    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.
    21 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Jake Breit
  • Bruce
    Divest UC From Fossil Fuels
    In UC's strategic plan one of the three main objectives is: "to contribute to the building of fair, prosperous and sustainable communities which are respectful of their Indigenous past and committed to redressing disadvantage." It is well known that Indigenous communities are some of the worst hit by the impacts of climate change, so for the university to achieve their objective it is vital to divest from fossil fuels. In order to contribute to the building of sustainable communities, we our selves must become one. UC proudly speaks of Adam Verwey, former student and president of the UC Student's Association, who was involved in the start up of fossil free superannuation company Future Super. They hang posters of him and his achievements around the university. With this in mind it makes zero sense that we are still invested in fossil fuels. UC needs to step up and become a leader on this issue and move on from the past of fossil fuels. Together we can put this issue on the agenda of our Vice Chancellor and the university board, and make our university fossil free.
    19 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Violet Cully Picture
  • Divest the Bronx High School of Science Endowment Fund from Fossil Fuels
    As a leading educator of future scientists, the Bronx Science endowment should not invest in companies that profit from carbon pollution. 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. Scientists 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.
    17 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Jeremiah (Jay) Schuur
  • Worcester
    Divest Clark University from All Non-renewables
    Climate change is accelerating at unpredictable rates; this necessitates direct and collective radical action. 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. We just witnessed one of the strongest Superstorms in recorded history. 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. It is time for Clark University, in solidarity with WPI and WSU, to join the divestment community, and extend this to the regional community at large. To remain inundated and feebly committed is to accept the certain death of the entire global community. It's time for Clark to take a stand and truly, radically, (not under presumed false guise) assist in challenging convention and changing the world.
    15 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Scott Canavan