Written by Denise Deby.
For a couple of years now, there’s been a campaign to get universities, colleges, religious institutions, pension funds, local governments and individuals to withdraw their investments from companies that produce fossil fuels.
The idea of divestment is to stop supporting unsustainable energy through stocks, bonds and other investments, and re-invest the money in renewable sources and technologies. (Here’s more about divestment, and here’s a list of companies and organizations that have already committed to divestment.)
The Go Fossil Free movement has designated Feb. 13-14, 2015 as Global Divestment Day of Action. There are at least a couple of things happening here in Ottawa around the day:
On Tuesday, Feb. 10, the Glebe Community Association Environment Committee is hosting a public talk with Paul Beckwith (Dept. of Geography, Carleton University) on Climate Disruption and Wild Weather: Global to Glebe. It’s at Ecclesiax (2 Monk St.) at 7:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Feb. 12, the Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-op, along with Bullfrog Power, 350 Ottawa, Smarter Shift/The Energy Mix and the West End Well Co-op, are holding a World Café Discussion on Divestment Strategies. People are invited to share information and ideas about re-investing in sustainability. It’s at the West End Well (969 Wellington St. W.) from 5-7 p.m. (RSVP here.)
Added: On Friday, Feb. 13, Fossil Free UOttawa is hosting a “Break up Booth” where people can write Valentines to university officials with messages about the university’s investment strategies. It’s from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
The divestment movement is modeling what governments need to be doing: withdrawing funds from the problem and investing in solution. That’s the best way to ensure a brighter future for both people and planet.” – Payal Parekh, 350.org Global Managing Director
Green Living Ottawa 