As students, we have immense power to push for change and demand better from Loyola. Students have been pushing for environmental change on campus for years, and there has been a lot of admirable progress in our energy sourcing, waste reduction, pledge for carbon neutrality, compost program, Climate Action Plan, and more. However, Loyola has made little progress on one key issue: divestment. Divesting is the opposite of investing, so it is removing  money from an asset. We are pushing for Loyola to divest from fossil fuels. 

Currently, Loyola has an undisclosed amount of money invested in fossil fuels. Sadly, since it is a private institution, we are not allowed to see what amount of money is allocated into these companies. It is disgusting to see that an institution who prides themselves on being environmentally friendly has these allocations and still does nothing to change this. The silence and ignorance of the school speaks volumes.   

As a Jesuit university that is dedicated to environmental issues, Loyola’s irresponsible investing is in direct conflict to their commitment to sustainability and Jesuit values. Other Jesuit institutions have already announced their plans to divest from fossil fuels, including Seattle University and Georgetown. Join us in calling for Loyola’s divestment from fossil fuels and a promise for a better future. We are also calling for Loyola to reinvest these funds into the surrounding Roger’s Park community and other green foundations. 

“When nature is viewed solely as a source of profit and gain, this has serious consequences for society. This… has engendered immense inequality, injustice and acts of violence against the majority of humanity, since resources end up in the hands of the first comer or the most powerful: the winner takes all. Completely at odds with this model are the ideals of harmony, justice, fraternity and peace as proposed by Jesus.” 

- Pope Francis, Laudato Si

If you support the divestment from fossil fuels for Loyola University Chicago, sign below!