Divest Hull University and University Union From Fossil Fuels

It has been proven that going beyond a 2oC increase in global temperatures would lead to catastrophic climate change. In order to attain this 2oC increase, scientists have calculated that we would have to burn around 565 gigatons of carbon. It may seem like a lot... However, the fossil fuel industry currently holds 2795 gigatons of carbon in reserves which is 5 times more than is safe to burn. At current rates of consumption we would hit a 2oC increase in global temperatures in 16 years.

The planet is our home, and pumping the atmosphere with CO2, methane and other fossil fuel driven gases will increase global temperatures which will cause the icecaps to melt resulting in rising sea levels. The effects our devastating on our humanity as it will destroy our habitat and will also lead to climate change refugees seeking resources that are no longer there. Burning fossil fuels is not only bad for the atmosphere, but also the seas and oceans, whose acidity is going up, threatening its delicate ecosystems like coral reefs and the Gulf stream which we rely on for our UK climate. The impact could be catastrophic as it could lead to the stagnation of our oceans.

UK universities currently invest £5.2 billion in the fossil fuel industry. Did you know that is equal to approximately £2000 for every student? Do you really want your university's money to be invested in this industry? Or would you rather it went towards a more sustainable future, one in which we all have a future. The University is supposed to be a bastion of forward thinking and life changing research in our society. Investing our money in the fossil fuel industry goes completely against this. The fossil fuel industry is wrecking our planet so why should our University profit from such a wreckage?

Hopefully you will understand why it is so important that our University pulls its investments out of the fossil fuel industry.