Divest NY Teachers from Climate Destroying Fossil Fuels
Andrew Pallotta President, NYS United Teachers Andrew.Pallotta@nysut.org
The climate crisis deepens with daily reports of severe weather, firestorms, and rising oceans causing devastation to communities in New York and around the world. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that humankind has ten years left to avoid catastrophic harm and tipping points of no-return, adding that nothing short of "rapid and far-reaching transformation of our energy systems is needed."
- It is immoral to provide financial support for or to seek to make money from an activity that is destroying the planet.
- New York's recently passed Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requires New York to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in just ten years. It makes no sense to invest in an industry that is being dismantled.
- Divestment is a powerful statement at a time when our federal government has abdicated its responsibility to fight climate change.
- Continued investment in fossil fuels puts the fund at risk. The world has committed to transition to renewable energy.
- Students have taken to the streets demanding climate action. The fund must support the students in their goal for a sustainable future.
Please sign our petition asking the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) to support divestment from fossil fuels and work with the NYS Teachers Retirement System (NYSTRS) to get fossil fuels out of our pension fund.
To:
Andrew Pallotta President, NYS United Teachers Andrew.Pallotta@nysut.org
From:
[Your Name]
We call on NYSUT to work with NYSTRS to stop funding climate destruction and divest its funds from all fossil fuels. Continued investments put our climate and the financial stability of our retirement fund at risk. The pension fund is for our future. Let's use it to create a sustainable future for our retirement and for our students.