100 signatures reached
To: President & Board of Trustees
Divest University of Scranton From Fossil Fuels
We call on the University of Scranton to:
1) Immediately freeze any new investment in fossil-fuel companies
2) Divest within two years from direct ownership and from any commingled funds that include fossil-fuel public equities and corporate bonds. (ex. Exxon Mobil Corporation, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation)
3) Reinvest the money in sustainable/clean energy options. (ex. Pattern Energy, Tesla)
We believe such action on behalf of our University will not only be a sound decision for our institution’s financial portfolio, but also for the well-being of its current and future graduating classes, who deserve the opportunity to graduate with a future not defined by climate chaos.
Why is this important?
As a Jesuit University, the University of Scranton knows the importance of taking care of the Earth. The University teaches about taking care of God's planet and this offers them an opportunity to live by example. Until the University divests from fossil fuels and invests in "greener" options, it is not putting actions behind its values and teaching.
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.
How it will be delivered
The petition will be delivered to President Father Kevin Quinn and the Board of Trustees.