Kwantlen Polytechnic University: Divest From Fossil Fuels!

Climate change is accelerating.

We are witnessing the increasing impacts of a warming planet more and more consistently; 2012 was the hottest year in recorded history. There was record-breaking heat, droughts, floods and hurricanes across the globe which impacted hundreds of thousands of people and cost countries hundreds of billions of dollars. Hurricane Sandy alone caused $50bn in damages.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University is contributing to this destruction by investing in the fossil fuel industry. This is immoral and unacceptable-especially for a school that prides itself on having one of the greenest campuses in Canada, and also one of the best Environmental Studies/Science programs. Kwantlen Polytechnic University should show leadership by investing in progressive companies that will lead us to a clean energy future.

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 need to keep at least 80% of known fossil fuel reserves in the ground if we are to stand any chance of avoiding irreversible, catastrophic climate change.

As public pressure to confront climate change builds, we call on Kwantlen Polytechnic University to immediately freeze any new investment in fossil-fuel companies, and to divest from direct ownership and from any commingled funds that include fossil-fuel public equities and corporate bonds within five years. We believe such action on behalf of Kwantlen Polytechnic University will not only be a sound decision for our institution’s financial portfolio and public reputation, 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.