TO THE EDITOR:
Climate change is a serious threat to the environment and human health. But as long as the University continues to invest in fossil fuels like coal, we’re contributing to it.
That’s why it’s imperative that we divest.
The environmental activist Bill McKibben is touring the country rallying college students to ask their universities to divest from coal.
He was at Duke’s Page Auditorium on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. — and UNC’s Beyond Coal was on stage to talk about how our campaign fits into the national divestment movement.
McKibben hopes to get divestment campaigns on 100 campuses — 47 already have them, including all the Ivies. And Unity College just announced its plan to divest last week.
As one of the first colleges to start a Beyond Coal campaign, UNC can take advantage of this national momentum and lead other institutions in sustainability.
McKibben’s Do the Math tour promotes a rational approach to thinking about climate change.
The fossil fuel industry plans to burn almost five times the maximum amount of carbon dioxide recommended by climate scientists to keep global warming below two degrees. Basic math supports divestment.
