Divest from Fossil Fuels and Invest in Companies That are Kind to Our Planet and People
It makes good
environmental, moral, and ethical sense to divest fossil fuel investments
and reinvest in renewable energy and eco-friendly companies. It's easy to notice that
global warming, climate change, and its effect on human life are closely
connected, when you think of Hurricane Sandy and the devastation it caused
along the east coast of the United States. You probably also recall that
thousands died or were injured in the Philippines during Typhoon Haiyan, and
have read many Haitians are still homeless and living in tents, in the
aftermath of damage caused by hurricane flooding there.
The Weather Channel’s Position Statement on global
warming states, “The climate of the earth is indeed warming, with an increase
of approximately 1 to 1 1/2 degrees Fahrenheit in the past century, more than
half of that occurring since the 1970's. Impacts can already be seen, especially
in the Arctic, with melting glaciers, thawing permafrost, and rapid retreat and
thinning of sea ice, all of which are affecting human populations as well as
animals and vegetation. There and elsewhere, rising sea level is increasing coastal
vulnerability. There is evidence in recent
years of a direct linkage between
the larger-scale warming and shorter-term phenomena such as heat waves
and precipitation extremes. The jury is out on exactly what effects global
warming is having or will have upon tropical cyclones or tornadoes.” For
more see: The Weather Channel Position Statement
Let’s look at global
warming from another angle, information from a National Geographic Report about
the causes of greenhouse gas.
1.“One of the first things scientists learned is that
there are several greenhouse gases responsible for warming, and humans emit
them in a variety of ways. Most come from the combustion of fossil fuels in
cars, factories, and electricity production. The gas responsible for the
most warming is carbon dioxide, also called CO2. Other contributors include
methane released from landfills and agriculture (especially from the digestive
systems of grazing animals), nitrous oxide from fertilizers, gases used for
refrigeration and industrial processes, and the loss of forests that would
otherwise store CO2. Different greenhouse gases have different heat-trapping abilities.
Some of them can trap more heat than CO2. A molecule of methane produces more
than 20 times the warming of a molecule of CO2. Nitrous oxide is 300 times more
powerful than CO2. Other gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons (which have been
banned in much of the world because they also degrade the ozone layer), have
heat-trapping potential thousands of times greater than CO2.” However, the
amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is so great that this is the element that
makes weather more extreme. Read the full National Geographic Report here: National Geographic Report
2. Since the main source of fuel used in the U.S.
today is derived from fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal, it
follows that a reduction in fossil fuel use will result in less carbon dioxide polluting
our atmosphere.
Now, here are ways you can be part of the solution.
There’s a special event that’s taking place Feb 13-14, 2015
and you’re invited. Join with people from spots all over the world who are fed
up with escalating fossil fuel production and pollution from CO2 Emissions and don’t
want to take it anymore!
Take part in Fossil Fuel Divestment Day. Make a tangible economic
statement in a world-wide effort to stop global warming by divesting from those
investments in your pension plan, IRA’s, or brokerage accounts that are made up
of fossil fuel companies. Then, reinvest your money in sustainable companies that
don’t pollute or leave giant carbon footprints.
Here's Help for Sustainable Investment Choices.
* See
US SIF – The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment,
a US membership association for professionals, firms, institutions and
organizations engaged in sustainable, responsible, and impact investment USSIF.org
* Pray with others and rally to divest/reinvest. Group efforts create positive
energy to support this cause. Gather together and feel a sense of
community and sharing. Carry signs and banners, and get publicity
by contacting the media. Show your community, politicians, big business, policy
makers, and the public that you want fossil fuel to be replaced with solar,
wind, and other sustainable energy sources. The organizers of this movement have
set the goal to eventually make fossil fuels part of our past history.
* Go a step further and work to pass laws prohibiting fracking, stop the Keystone XL Pipeline, and vote in favor of legislation that limits the
amount of fossil reserves companies can store. The smoke and discharge from fossil
fuel factories destroy fragile ecosystems, can possibly create dangerous, explosive
situations, is bad for your health, and spoils natural resources. Big oil, gas,
and coal
do not need to stockpile resources, because those on hand
already surpass realistic future energy needs. According to OXFAM, “If the
world is to avoid exceeding dangerous global warming of 2°C, up to 80 percent
of known fossil fuel reserves need to stay in the ground.” See
OXFAM
* Be vocal and communicate with friends, neighbors, and civic groups about global divestment/sustainable investments to keep the ball rolling. Efforts by various individuals,
religious groups, environmental organizations, college students, pension plans,
cities, counties, and countries are part of the Divestment Movement. It is only
the beginning. Consider holding a Divest/Invest Party, rally, workshop, meeting
and the like. For hints about how to do that, look at
Divest/Invest Party
* Be smart and be kind. Reduce your own carbon footprint by
walking more and driving less, using public transportation or car-pooling, and
reducing your reliance on fossil fuels by installing a sustainable source of energy to heat and cool your home, help those less fortunate to become self-sustaining, and conserve, recycle, and reuse products so new ones won't have to be made by fossil-fueled factories.
Here’s a sample of those who have already committed to the goal of Divest/Invest:
1. Archbishop Desmond Tutu calls the destruction of the earth's environment the Human Rights Challenge of our Time. See a video about his view at Desmond Tutu Video
2.
Ten U.S. Cities Divest from Fossil Fuel Investments. They are Seattle, WA, Madison, WI;
Bayfield WI; Ithaca, NY; Boulder, CO; Rochester, MN; Eugene, OR; Richmond, CA;
Berkeley, CA; and San Francisco, CA.
3. Norwegian
Sovereign Wealth (oil) Fund has divested from a total of 22 companies on
February 6, 2015 as the result of pressure from Norway’s parliament, who stated
those companies are a high risk to climate. Global Divestment Day on the 13 and
14 of February comes at the perfect time to increase the pressure on
institutions such as the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth fund to commit to full
divest from fossil fuels. See in-depth article @ http://goo.gl/Jhc6p4
4. The Church of Sweden has
announced complete divestment from fossil fuels by ridding itself of its remaining holdings in gas companies. Its assets
of $691,292,490 are now completely fossil-free. More @ http://goo.gl/kLWbLv
5. Several
member churches of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Churches of
Christ have divested, as well as the Minnesota United Church of Christ. See
more at United Churches of Christ
6. The counties
of San Francisco, CA and Dane County, WI have divested.
7. A growing
number of Universities and Colleges have divested in fossil fuels after student
activists demonstrated or led campaigns at Hampshire College, MA, Naropa
University, CO, Prescott College, AZ, San Francisco State University
Foundation, CA, Sterling College, KS, and Unity College ME. For the latest on
this see Universities and College Pledge to Divest
8. The World Council of Churches (WCC), consisting of over 300 churches and
representing half a billion Christians worldwide, has decided to pull its investments
out of fossil fuels. See more at: WCC
9.
The Entire
Unitarian Church Voted to Divest from Fossil Fuels.
10. Newark Episcopal Church 2015 Convention Resolution to
Divest from Fossil Fuel and Invest in Sustainable Energy concludes they will divest. “It
is immoral to profit from an industry whose core business creates climate
change and whose financial and political influence has prevented climate change
legislation.” See more at
11. Karen H., who is a member of an Episcopalian
Congregation in Arizona, says “My spirit is calling me to speak out about this
moral issue. People are suffering as a result of climate change, like those who
are homeless as a result of the typhoon in the Philippines. How can I speak to
peoples’ hearts so they will make the connection between their investments in
fossil fuels and the consequences of their actions on families today and for
generations to come?”
I believe the time is ripe for us to align our values with our investments. Economic decisions and choices can serve us financially as
well as serve a greater good. Sustainable energy is a growing industry, one
where advances in technology have made renewable sources of energy more affordable, more readily
available, and an earth-friendly way to contribute to the greening of our planet.
Are you willing to contact your Senators, Congress people, and the U.S.
President to ask for a moratorium on increased fossil fuel
development? My view is that further development is unacceptable and unconscionable. Are you in favor of state and
national bills and laws that support sustainable, renewable energy
sources like solar, wind, and thermal power in public buildings, offices, and
the like? Will you raise you voice in support and invest in those companies that don’t
contribute to climate change? Will you join with others around the world to
divest fossil fuel holdings and invest in sustainable energy instead? As a
human being and world citizen, listen to your conscience and make the right choice for you.
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Before you go, take a moment to comment. Will you join this cause? What greener choices are you making in your life? Please share about that. If you have questions about this topic, please let me know. Speak with your financial planner and educate yourself before you make any investment.
If you feel I’ve provided useful information, please share a link to this blog and credit with my name, Nancy Andres. Here’s my Pinterest Page and Facebook Page.
I offer this blog to you to encourage you to look at both your values and your thought process. Remember you have options about investments and other lifestyle actions. Please consider eco-friendly alternatives. Help take this step and contribute to a world wide effort to save our precious planet.
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