It is both unethical and untenable for universities around the world to continue to invest in fossil fuel companies whose plans to prospect for more oil, coal and gas endanger future global prosperity, according to an influential group of academics.
That statement from, Academics Stand Against Poverty (Asap) – a global group of about 2,000 researchers who study poverty and development– urges universities to follow the lead of institutions like Stanford, Syracuse and Glasgow that have all committed to divest from fossil fuel holdings.
They write: “At this moment in history, it is paradoxical for universities to remain invested in fossil fuel companies. What does it mean for universities to seek to educate youth and produce leading research in order to better the future, while simultaneously investing in and profiting from the destruction of said future? This position is neither tenable nor ethical.”
It went on, “As academics, we are in the privileged position to understand the risks posed by climate change and to make powerful statements in support of action.”
The statement also explicitly backs the Guardian’s “Keep it in the Ground” campaign which launched last month. It is urging the world’s two largest charitable funds, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust, to withdraw their investments from fossil fuels.
The campaign has attracted over 176,000 signatures as well as support from the former chief scientific advisors to the UK government and European commission, the UK Climate Change and energy secretary Ed Davey, actor Tilda Swinton, chef Yotam Ottolenghi and activist Bianca Jagger.
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