CAUSING ENORMOUS PAIN, ILLNESS AND DEATH ALL OVER THE PLANET, The Covid-19 Crisis will eventually pass, because all of humanity is working on myriad solutions to address this globally shared problem.  

The Climate Crisis requires exactly the same level of attention. Earth Day 2020 must be a reminder to all of us that when we do conquer Covid, we are still in mortal danger from increasing wildfires, rising sea levels, deforestation, loss of habitat bringing novel virus bearing creatures into contact with humans, destruction of sea life due to plastic pollution and pesticide runoff, forced population displacement and migration leading to violent conflicts and public health risk due to drought, pestilence, RISING WATERS and starvation, etc.  

So while we shelter in place, and distance ourselves from one another to address Covid, let’s remember that AS/WHEN we recover, we will need to join together and pledge ourselves to do all we can to unite CUNY students, faculty, staff, and leadership in a common commitment to focus on the continuing threat to our planet and all its life. WE MUST DEMAND THAT THE “SOLUTIONS” TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE PLANET, NOT A LESS SUSTAINABLE ONE; THAT WE BEGIN TO MOVE RIGHT NOW TOWARD SOLUTIONS THAT ARE JUST FOR OUR PEOPLE AND START TO SOLVE OUR MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN FRONT OF US.

Sign the attached petition to remind our Chancellor and Trustees that we haven’t forgotten the dramatic struggle that must resume when the current crisis passes. CUNY’s administration already has the power to divest from fossil fuels, conserve energy to reduce carbon emissions, eliminate single use plastics and MOVE TOWARD 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY.

THE CUNY BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAS AN OBLIGATION TO REPRESENT THEIR STUDENTS AND PROTECT THEIR FUTURES. They must exercise their leadership now! Sign the petition and demand that they unite us and lead us in taking a stand on the right side of history and making all the contributions that the world’s greatest urban university can make. If we don’t take action, the Covid current crisis will only be a footnote in mankind’s FUTURE of loss. Demand that the CUNY Board and Chancellor make a commitment to support its student's and The University's best interests by divesting its endowment from the declining fossil fuel industry and investing in renewable energy and industries whose success depends environmental prosperity. Sign the petition!

Additional Resources:

USS Resolution: Fossil Fuel and Clean Energy Plan https://drive.google.com/file/d/16pBmEp-mcyxwTa0MI1Uvk8IREwXrptHl/view?usp=sharing

Video by Naomi Klein concerning the importance of prioritizing the climate crisis as we overcome the Covid Crisis: https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/03/17/we-know-script-naomi-klein-warns-coronavirus-capitalism-new-video-detailing-battle