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Investing in Fossil Fuels is Unethical

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• The fossil fuel industry disproportionately affects marginalized communities. Research has shown that developing nations are more likely to suffer from climate change and African Americans are over three times more likely to die from air pollution than white Americans. Thus, by pouring money into the unethical fossil fuel industry, Rutgers is committing climate injustice, going against Rutgers’ mission for public service. 

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Investing in Fossil Fuels is Fiscally Irresponsible

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• For decades, the divestment movement has pushed academic, corporate, and public institutions to divest from the fossil fuel industry. These institutions have seen their endowments grow in the face of opposers claiming that fossil fuels are stable investments. In the past year, we have seen just how unstable the fossil fuel market can be. The pandemic caused the price of oil to drop below $0 per barrel, and a decreased reliance on fossil fuels due to telecommuting has lowered demand for fossil fuels. Analysis by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund shows the financial success in institutions divested from fossil fuels.

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Investing in Fossil Fuels Lowers Public Health 

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• Burning fossil fuels not only contributes to climate change but also releases pollutants in the atmosphere which leads to respiratory illnesses (such as asthma), cancer, and heart disease. Higher pollution-related health impacts disproportionately affect low income communities of colors. Everyone deserves the right to a clean and healthy environment.The science is clear that we must divest from fossil fuels if we want to ensure a healthy environment for students.

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Rutgers can mitigate damages to public health and act in a financially and ethically responsible way by reinvesting in sustainability

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• Once we divest from fossils fuels, we want to reinvest in sustainability which has numerous benefits. There are several ways we can work towards making our university green. Reinvesting in clean energy such as solar and wind is not only healthier, but also more financially sound. There are also several innovative ways to reduce waste such as composting and anaerobic digesters. By divesting from fossil fuels, we can reinvest in our futures.