Nearby Petitions

Cities & States

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  Divest States of Jersey Funds from Fossil Fuels

  Climate change is the greatest challenge humanity has encountered. Warming in excess of 1.5°C will have catastrophic consequences [1]. In order to have a chance of staying below this temperature rise, 80% of known fossil fuel reserves must not be burnt [2]. The fossil fuel industry currently holds vast carbon reserves which if burnt would result in emissions 5 times larger than what it is deemed to be safe [2]. All available evidence suggests that fossil fuel companies intend to burn the reserves within their control. In addition, companies such as Shell are actively trying to discover new reserves, often in environmentally sensitive regions [3]. If it is wrong to damage the world we live in, then it is wrong to profit from that damage. Responsible investors should no longer be profiting from the destructive activities of these companies. The States of Jersey Common Investment Fund (CIF) manages the public funds of Islanders. It manages nearly £3 billion worth of assets, millions of which are direct investments in fossil fuel companies including BHP Billiton, ExxonMobil, BP, Rio Tinto and Shell [4]. These fossil fuel investments are becoming increasingly risky as the cost of extraction increases and international treaties restrict the use of fossil fuels [2]. Not only does it make moral sense not to invest in the destruction of our planet, it also makes financial sense. By divesting from fossil fuels, the States of Jersey will join New York City and public institutions such as the British Medical Association, Glasgow University and Oxford City Council, amongst many others, in leading by example to help create a sustainable future for the citizens of Jersey and beyond. So we ask that the States of Jersey, through the Minister for Treasury and Resources, to: - Immediately freeze any new investment in fossil fuel companies, including those made by externally managed and pooled funds. - Ensure pension options to employees are fossil free - Divest from the top 200 companies with the largest known carbon reserves (oil, gas and coal), and shift these funds to lower risk, ethical investments within 5 years Sources: [1]http://bit.ly/1Cp61vN [2]http://bit.ly/1mLPo58 [3]http://bit.ly/1r2Y2Qb [4]https://www.gov.je/Government/Pages/StatesReports.aspx?ReportID=3466

  33 of 100 Signatures

  Created by Ollie Taylor
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  Divest Derbyshire

  1. Derbyshire County Council Pension Fund has £290 million invested in fossil fuel industries, including Royal Dutch Shell, BP and Rio Tinto. Fossil fuel industries make up nearly 6% of the pension fund. 2. The pension fund affects over 170 employers in Derbyshire including Derbyshire County Council, all the borough and District Councils in Derbyshire [1]; Derby City Council; Chesterfield College; Derby College; Derbyshire Fire Authority; Derbyshire Police Authority; Peak District National Park Authority; University of Derby and a large group of smaller employers. 3. 97% of climate scientists agree that humans are the primary cause of recent climate change, largely due to the release of greenhouse gases from the combustion of oil, coal and gas for heat and power. Climate change is happening now - we’re already experiencing global temperature rise, warming oceans, shrinking ice sheets and more frequent and intense extreme weather events. [2] Whole ecosystems are threatened, and people's lives are at risk due to flooding, food and water insecurity, creating climate change refugees. [3] 4. In order to stop the global climate warming by 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and avert global catastrophe, 80% of all known fossil fuels must stay in the ground. [4] By removing investments in fossil fuel companies Derbyshire County Council will be showing its commitment to creating a healthy, sustainable future for both the people of Derbyshire and the planet as a whole. 5. There is also a financial argument to divest from fossil fuels. The need and growing political pressure to leave as much of our fossil fuels in the ground make the risk of stranded assets (worthless fuel stocks that regulation will prevent from being burned) very real. [5] At the same time it is becoming more expensive both to find and to extract the remaining fuel deposits, while, renewable energy technology is becoming more efficient and less expensive. [6]. Both of these factors create risks for investors. People and institutions that own shares in fossil fuel companies will see the value of their investments decrease. [7,8] 6. Institutions across the world including churches and universities, the Environment Agency [9] as well as local authorities in the UK such as Bristol City Council and Oxford City Council have already committed to divest from fossil fuels. [10] Let's see Derbyshire join them in making this small but impactful commitment. This petition is supported by the following Derbyshire organisations (in alphabetical order): Amber Valley Against Fracking; Calow Against Gas Extraction (CAGE); Chesterfield and District TUC; Chesterfield Climate Alliance; Clay Cross Against Fracking; Creswell Against Fracking; Derby Climate Coalition; Eckington Against Fracking; Glossopdale Transition Initiative; Melbourne Area Transition; Sustainable Edale; Sustainable Hayfield; Transition Belper; Transition Buxton; Transition Chesterfield; Transition Hope Valley; Transition Matlock; Transition New Mills. Transition Wirksworth; University of Derby Students’ Union. Please let us know if you would like your group to be added to this list. A hard copy of this petition can be downloaded from www.transitionchesterfield.org/divest-derbyshire/ Notes [1] Amber Valley Borough Council; Bolsover District Council; Chesterfield Borough Council; Derby City Council; Derbyshire Dales District Council; Erewash Borough Council;; High Peak Borough Council; North East Derbyshire District Council; South Derbyshire District Council [2] http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/ [3] www.unhcr.org/pages/49e4a5096.html [4] www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30709211 [5] www.carbontracker.org/report/wasted-capital-and-stranded-assets/ [6] www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/10957292/Fossil-industry-is-the-subprime-danger-of-this-cycle.html [7] www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/03/bank-of-england-warns-of-financial-risk-from-fossil-fuel-investments [8] www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/oct/12/millions-wiped-off-uk-local-government-pensions-due-to-coal-crash-analysis-shows [9] www.eapf.org.uk/en/news-feed [10] http://gofossilfree.org/commitments/

  450 of 500 Signatures

  Created by Lisa Hopkinson
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  North Yorkshire Fossil Fuel Divestment

  The North Yorkshire Pension Fund Committee could, like a growing number of other Local Authority-administered Pension Funds, adopt a strategy of steady 'divestment and re-investment'. This means moving away from investing in an increasingly unstable and more costly fossil fuel dependency towards a cleaner, cheaper and ultimately more profitable renewable future, which will enable local communities across North Yorkshire and beyond to benefit. To help achieve this, we are asking the Pension Fund Committee to: 1. Freeze any new investment in the top 200 publicly-traded fossil fuel companies[1] at the earliest opportunity [1] The Carbon Underground 200 Project, at http://fossilfreeindexes.com/research/the-carbon-underground 2. Commit to a policy of divesting or withdrawing from direct ownership and any commingled funds that include fossil fuel public equities and corporate bonds over the next 5 years; and of re-investing in a new carbon-free portfolio of more local, ethical and renewable energy technologies and infrastructure developments 3. Include these action points above in the Pension Fund Committee’s Investment Strategy Statement, with effect from the earliest possible date. (* Adapted from the petition model in the Gofossilfree campaign’s guidance – see Local Government Guide at https://gofossilfree.org/uk/pensions/#action )

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  Created by Mike Barron
• Die Stadt Heidelberg soll sich zu einem klimafreundlichen Finanz- und Anlagemanagement bekennen

  Begründung: Der globale Klimawandel und seine Folgen stellen eine greifbare Gefahr für unsere Gesellschaften dar. Schon heute sind die Konsequenzen des globalen Temperaturanstiegs zu spüren. Dazu gehören vermehrte extreme Hitzeperioden in europäischen Städten genauso wie die "Jahrhundertfluten", die inzwischen alle 10 Jahre auftreten und verheerende Folgen haben. So waren von der "Jahrhundertflut" 2013 neun Bundesländer betroffen, in 55 Landkreisen musste Katastrophenalarm ausgerufen werden und zehntausende Menschen mussten für Wochen ihre Wohnungen verlassen. Die weltweiten Folgen des Klimawandels, vom Schmelzen der Gletscher bis zu vermehrt auftretenden extremen Wetterereignissen wie Dürren und Hurrikanen sind so zahlreich, dass sie hier nicht alle genannt werden können. Nahezu alle Regierungen der Welt stimmen überein, dass eine Erwärmung um mehr als 2°C sehr gefährlich wäre und durch katastrophale Rückkopplungen dazu führen könnte, dass auf unserem Planeten menschliches Leben unmöglich wird. Die Zahlen sprechen für sich: Aktuell steuern wir darauf zu, fünfmal so viele fossile Brennstoffe zu verbrennen wie laut vorsichtiger Schätzungen tragbar wäre. Wenn wir den Temperaturanstieg unter 2°C halten wollen, müssen wir also dafür sorgen, dass 80% der bekannten Vorkommen fossiler Brennstoffe unter der Erde bleiben. Erdöl-, Kohle- und Gaskonzerne erschließen aber weiterhin ohne Rücksicht auf unsere Lebensgrundlagen und auf junge Generationen in alarmierendem Tempo die bestehenden Vorkommen und geben Milliarden aus, um noch mehr fossile Brennstoffe zu finden. Dabei schrecken sie auch nicht vor hochriskanten und umweltzerstörenden Methoden wie Fracking, Mountain Top Removal, Tagebau, Offshore Drilling und dem Abbau von Teersanden zurück. Als Konsequenz sollten alle Investitionen in diese Industrien schnellstmöglich eingestellt werden. Dabei sind nicht nur private Investoren gefragt, sondern insbesondere öffentliche Institutionen und große Organisationen wie Städte, Kommunen, Universitäten, Kirchen, Stiftungen oder auch Finanzinstitute. Zum einen sind gerade diese Akteure in besonderer Weise dem Gemeinwohl verpflichtet und müssen sich vor ihren Bürgerinnen und Bürgern, ihren Mitgliedern und vor der Gesellschaft verantworten. Zum anderen haben sie einen Vorbildcharakter in unserer Gesellschaft und können dadurch weit mehr bewirken als ihr eigenes Investmentpotential zunächst vermuten lässt. Unsere öffentlichen Gelder sollten in eine lebenswerte Zukunft investiert werden, nicht in eine Industrie, die dabei ist, unseren Planeten unbewohnbar zu machen. Es ist an der Zeit, dass sich die Stadt Heidelberg öffentlich und verbindlich zu einem klimafreundlichen Finanz- und Anlagemanagement bekennt. Aktuelle Informationen auch unter www.facebook.com/fossilfreeheidelberg

  117 of 200 Signatures

  Created by LIsa-Marie Zoller
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  Divest Gonzaga University from Fossil Fuels

  Gonzaga University occupies a special place in the academic landscape. As a humanistic Jesuit institution, it strives to prepare its students to be actively engaged with the world in which they live; advocate for social justice; serve the common good; be innovative, critical thinkers; and live ethically. One of the greatest challenges facing the world today is climate change and its effects – effects that greatly impact the most vulnerable and powerless in society. Millions are threatened by rising sea levels, intensification of extreme weather events, flooding, droughts, food insecurity, and the resulting social and political instabilities. The scientific consensus is overwhelming: the current rise in global temperature and disruption of climate patterns has anthropogenic origins – specifically, the deforestation of large tracts of land and the extraction and use of fossil fuels. If left unchecked, these actions will bring the average global temperature to a level which threatens to destroy countless ecosystems. This is already beginning to happen. We are requesting the Board of Trustees to seize the opportunity to be at the forefront of a divestment movement that demonstrates the responsible stewardship of Gonzaga’s financial resources in accordance with the principles of the mission statement and ultimately seeks to care for our common home. We feel it would show the world just how special Gonzaga truly is.

  424 of 500 Signatures

  Created by Kathryn O'Brien
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  Make Maplewood Fossil Fuel Free

  Burlington, Vermont, Aspen, Colorado, and Greenberg, Kansas have all successfully transitioned to 100% renewable energy, and many more cites across the country are setting ambitious goals to go fossil fuel free. As a town in a state that was heavily affected by Superstorm Sandy, I think it is in an economic and moral imperative that we set an example for the rest of the Garden State and rid ourselves of our dependance on fossil fuels. I believe Maplewood is uniquely suited to this challenge: we have a town full of community oriented, socially conscious individuals and families whom I believe would welcome such an exciting and ambitious challenge. Hopefully, we can set an example for other small towns to do the same. As a result of human consumption of fossil fuels, earth has an atmospheric concentration 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide, and we’re adding 2 ppm of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere every year. Unless we are able to rapidly turn that around and return to below 350 ppm this century, we risk triggering tipping points and irreversible impacts that could send climate change spinning truly beyond our control. We owe it to our children to do everything we can to leave a safe and livable planet for them. Let's do our part, and let's do it together.

  1 of 100 Signatures

  Created by Diane Davis
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  Defund DAPL: Divest Boise from U.S. Bank

  U.S. Bank is providing capital for construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Thousands have gathered in North Dakota to support the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's efforts to protect their ancestral Tribal lands and to protect the water. Divestment campaigns are underway worldwide because people all over the world understand that the fossil fuel economy and pipelines that transport fossil fuels contribute to global warming, and threaten our clean water supply. Since October, the citizens of Boise have held regular rallies and public forums to discuss the best way we can support the Standing Rock Sioux, and take steps to protect human health. Divesting from institutions that fund DAPL sends a powerful message that we are a community united in the conviction that socially and environmentally responsible decisions are, from here on out, a vital part of the way we conduct our business and our lives.

  3 of 100 Signatures

  Created by Ann Ford
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  Divest from Fossil Fuels!

  Our local government has a responsibility to divest from an industry that’s destroying our future, and reinvest in solutions to climate change. We can not count on the federal government, even as extreme weather events like the record rain fall in the Duluth area last Spring overwhelm local budgets. We have the solutions, but we won’t see any political progress on the issue until we can weaken the power of the fossil fuel industry. The bottom line is this: divestment is the only moral choice for governments that care about their citizens. Solving the climate crisis is the only practical choice for governments that care about their solvency. It's time to divest from fossil fuels now!

  10 of 100 Signatures

  Created by Peter Scott
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  Divest Barnet's council Pension fund From Fossil fuel Investments.

  The fossil fuel industry currently holds vast carbon reserves which if burnt would result in emissions 5 times larger than what it is deemed to be safe. All available evidence suggests that fossil fuel companies intend to burn the reserves within their control. In addition, companies such as Shell are actively trying to discover new reserves, often in environmentally sensitive region]. For future generations.The use of fossil fuels is damaging the earth to near irreprable limits. 76% of all climate scientists agree. Barnet Borough Council has Invested over £30 million of pension funds in companies that use fossil fuels. These companies are Multi Nationals.Oil companies are not a good Investment at the present time.

  26 of 100 Signatures

  Created by John Pettigrove
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  Divest Dumfries & Galloway Council's Pension Fund from Fossil Fuels

  Dumfries & Galloway Council has aspirations to be Europe's first carbon neutral region, yet its pension fund is the most heavily invested in fossil fuels in the whole of Scotland. Currently, the fund has more than £28 million invested directly in fossil fuels and almost another £50 million in projected indirect investment. These investment decisions make a mockery of the Council's own sustainability and climate change goals. Instead of fueling the climate crisis, it's time for Dumfries & Galloway Council to take a stand and divest from fossil fuels. The more than £78 million invested in fossil fuels could be directed to renewable energy in the Council's own area, promoting the potential for clean, green technologies in the region and boosting employment and infrastructure. With such a large fossil fuel investment (9.4% of their total fund), we would like to see D&G Council implement a 5-year plan to move to total fossil fuel divestment. Fossil fuels are the technology of the 20th century, not the 21st. Stocks in fossil fuels are volatile and the industry is preparing itself for a significant future loss of revenue caused by increasing extraction costs, falling quantities of available fuels and increasing public outrage at the lack of action on climate change. Our people and our planet can no longer afford to delay climate action.

  33 of 100 Signatures

  Created by Laura Moodie
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