COAL
We have talked about the movement of universities divesting from fossil fuels on this mailing list a few times. Here is a call for action at UW:
Faculty and staff friends of Divest UW,
The University of Washington could become the largest university (by enrollment) to commit to divest from fossil fuels! We are also looking for faculty quote to include in our press release, so please email us if you have a juicy quote about why we should divest from coal.
On May 14th the Board of Regents are voting to divest from thermal coal – the most harmful and greenhouse gas intensive fossil fuel. Now is a crucial time to build support and make this happen, and so I am reaching out in the hopes that you can help us make this happen. Below are some ways you can help us, please spread the word:
- Contact the Board of Regents: We need the Board of Regents to know that there is support for this proposal, so what better way to let them know than to contact them. Call them on 206-543-1633 or email them at [email protected]. You can find some talking points for coal here and reach out to them in whichever way suits you best. Why not send the regents a photo pledge not to invest in UW until they divest like Seattle City Councilmember O’Brien did? Or why not share a photo in support of divestment on the UW Facebook wall or tweet it at them?
- If you’re in Seattle, join us at the Rally and the Board of Regents meeting: The vote is on the 14th of May and it would be great to fill the room with support. We will be holding a rally in Red Square at 11am with the vote set to take place at 11:45 in Gerberding Hall 142. Please join the Facebook event and start spreading the word.
- Get the Word Out to the Press: If you are part of the press or know press willing to cover the story, we have a press release here. Please spread the word.
Friends, the power of the divestment movement is growing, and the UW can be one of the major leaders that the movement has been waiting for. Please help us provide the support and pressure to be able to do so.
Yours in solidarity,
The Divest UW Team