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The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Students should keep pushing for divestment

Above the doors of Kendall hall reads the motto, “Today Decides Tomorrow,” and nowhere is that more true than with the issue of climate change.

Two months ago was the hottest August on record and the 352nd consecutive month that average global temperatures have been above the historic average.  In other words, if you are under 28 years of age, you have never known a normal global climate.

80 percent of the students voting in last year’s A.S. election called on the University Foundation to “immediately cease all new investments in the largest 200 fossil fuel companies, and to fully divest all of their holdings from these companies within the next four years.”                

50 faculty signed a letter of support. The University Foundation Board of Directors is meeting this month and divestment is on the agenda.

Unfortunately, the University is practicing its usual stalling tactics, hoping the students graduate and forget. The Board did not discuss divestment at their May meeting because staff said the students submitted their request too late.  Now staff are telling the students they did not formally ask for a vote on divesting.

Students and faculty are calling on the Board to divest from fossil fuels because they are also an increasingly risky investment for the University.  Scientists claim that to keep global warming to a relatively safe two-degree increase, the fossil fuel industry will need to leave 4/5 of their known reserves in the ground, severely reducing the value of their stock.

The University’s own strategic priority says “that each generation owes something to those that follow.” Encourage the Foundation Board to follow President Zingg’s nationally recognized commitment to combating climate change and vote now to divest from fossil fuels.  It is this generation’s tomorrow, and they want a decision today.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mark Stemen

Department of Geography and Planning

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