Petition for Kent State University to Divest from Fossil Fuels
Petition for Kent State University to Divest from Fossil Fuels
Why this petition matters
Kent State University is failing its community and future students by failing to divest from fossil fuels. While the goals that have been set by the University strive toward to be sufficient in combating climate change, they are ultimately contradicted by the University failing to commit to divesting from fossil fuels which are the main driver of climate change. In response, we - the past, present, and future students and faculty of Kent State University - are demanding transparency, accountability, and sustainability at our institution. The latest IPCC report https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/ recommends that we, as a society, urgently minimize our dependence on fossil fuels in order to keep global warming under 1.5° C. If we want to be a part of the solution rather than the problem, we must take every possible step to minimize our carbon footprint, directly and indirectly.
We demand the following actions for Kent State University to take:
A. Commit to transparency on all current investments in fossil fuel exploration, extraction, refinement, infrastructure, and distribution.
B. Immediate and full divestment from fossil fuels, and a halt to all future investments in fossil fuel exploration, extraction, and distribution.
C. Kent State University must create a strategic plan that strives to reach absolute or real-zero emissions, and evaluate ways to transition existing energy infrastructure on Kent State University campuses away from fossil fuels and towards reduced and renewable energy.
D. Divest from existing infrastructure that has high carbon emissions in operation, in order to lessen Kent State University's reliance on fossil fuels.
E. From this moment on, invest in renewable energy infrastructure at all Kent State University campuses; powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind-generated electricity.
Kent State University must join the over 1500 institutions that have divested; including Harvard, Yale, University of Oxford, Rutgers, Syracuse, University of Maryland, and many more (https://divestmentdatabase.org/ Where a University invests its money is representative of the University's beliefs and values, and we, the Kent State University community cannot in good conscience support an institution that is actively supporting the interests of fossil fuel companies.
By signing this petition, you are helping to provide crucial support for this movement and are agreeing that we, members of the Kent State University community, endorse the listed recommendations for Kent State University to divest from fossil fuels and recognize the urgency of the climate crisis.
Decision Makers
- Todd DiaconKent State University President and Chief Executive Officer
- Pamela E BobstKent State University Board of Trustees & Kent State University Foundation Board of Directors
- Edward F. CrawfordKent State University Board of Trustees
- Robert S. FrostKent State University Board of Trustees
- Johnathan M. HolifieldKent State University Board of Trustees