This feature was originally published in the Sphinx Student News 2018/19 print edition (Released, March 29th). This collection of articles focused upon student-led climate activism at University of Liverpool. The first section 'Think about the planet Janet' was written by the editor-in-chief, Albert Toth and directed at Vice Chancellor Dame Janet Beer. The second part is by me during my time as News Editor. It addresses the successful fossil fuel divestment campaign run by the Students' Union.
THINK ABOUT THE PLANET JANET!
Posted by Albert Toth | Jul 31, 2019 | Campus News, Editor's Pick, News, Opinion, Print
Our University currently invests £11,812,131 in fossil fuels. This includes £3.8m in BP, £3.1m in Shell, and £2.2m in BHP Billiton. There has been no commitment to divestment. This is despite an ‘Environmental Policy Statement’ in which our Vice-Chancellor Janet Beer claims the university is dedicated to managing its operations in ways that are ‘environmentally sustainable’. This is clearly mouth service from our grossly overpaid VC, and behind her the University continues to profit from the destruction of the planet. In our name.
Here at The Sphinx we represent a broad range of views. But there’s no nuance when it comes to saving our planet. We’ve dedicated the first few pages of our print edition to a feature on climate change, how our University is failing in the area, and what you can do to help.
£12M IN FOSSIL FUELS: STUDENTS DEMAND UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL DIVEST
BY ANNA SCOTT, NEWS EDITOR
There are 51 UK Universities that have cut all ties with the fossil fuel industry. But University of Liverpool is not one of them. With nearly £12m invested in fossil fuel companies, our University is not doing all it can to reduce the devastating impacts of climate change. Liverpool Guild of Students launched the Fossil Free Campaign in 2019, demanding total divestment from these harmful industries.
The Guild summarise the aims of the Fossil Free Campaign;
“The Fossil Free campaign, launched in January, aims to ensure the University of Liverpool stops investing their endowment fund in oil and gas companies, to have permanent student representation on the investment sub-committee and to refuse research contract with fossil fuel companies.”
The Fossil Free Campaign here in Liverpool has taken inspiration from the Global fossil fuel divestment movement, which has been campaigning since 2011. Since then institutions from all over the world have pledged to withdraw investments, together worth $7.93 trillion, from fossil fuel extractor industries.
Last year was characterised by extreme tropical storms, deadly wildfires and rising sea levels. These events are almost universally agreed to be driven by human induced climate change. As 71% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since 1988 has been caused by just 100 fossil fuel extractor companies, the Guild’s believes that we must hold these companies accountable.
Photo: Liverpool Guild of Students
Throughout the UK, universities collectively give £1,804 per student to fossil fuel companies. As an investor in the fossil fuel industry, the University of Liverpool is part of this problem. Recognising this, our institution has recently made their first steps towards sustainable investment. Their new Ethical Investment Policy promises to divest from thermal coal and tar sands. But the Guild’s Fossil Free Campaign does not believe that this policy goes far enough. Other UK Universities have set a precedent. Sheffield, Newcastle and Bristol are all fully divested, proving that this shift is possible. The Fossil Free Campaign wants the University of Liverpool to be next.
It’s time that University of Liverpool put their money where their mouth is. This must be a year marked by ethical, climate conscious investment decisions. With your engagement, University of Liverpool could become the 52nd institution to divest, becoming Fossil Free for good.