To All Students, Alumni, Faculty and Staff of Willamette University
Help us Divest Willamette University From Fossil Fuels! Sign our Petition
The recent election results make it all too clear—citizens concerned about climate change must refocus their energies and resources at the state, local, and institutional levels to force action on climate change. We are unlikely to have leadership in this regard at the federal level. We need to step up our game.
Here is what we know: Climate change is accelerating. We are witnessing the increasing impacts of a warming planet more and more consistently. Experts agree that global warming caused by the burning of fossil fuels will continue to accelerate and intensify these tragic climate disasters. The scientific consensus is clear and overwhelming: we cannot safely burn even half of global fossil-fuel reserves without dangerously warming the planet for several thousand years.
Willamette University’s stated mission is to “prepare graduates to transform knowledge into action.” Now more than ever, it is vital that we transform knowledge into action. Students, alumni, faculty and staff must persuade President Thorsett and the Willamette University Board of Trustees to divest from fossil fuels. It’s time our beloved institution stop giving social license to an industry which values corporate profits over life itself. We need to say loudly and unequivocally that it is wrong to wreck the planet for the temporary profit of a tiny elite of the population. Never before has humanity faced a challenge of this magnitude. Let us join the over 400 schools, faith groups and other institutions around the world that have called out the fossil fuel industry by divesting from their companies.
Check out all the entities who have divested. You’ll see. We will be in good company.
Here is the link to our petition
Let us rise to the promise of Willamette’s motto: “Not to ourselves alone are we born.” Please sign this petition and then email, Facebook or Twitter it on to other members of the Willamette University community.
Spread the word. Let’s make a difference!
Linda Wallmark
