The International Panel on Climate Change gives us fewer than 10 years to take action before we face catastrophic, irreversible effects of climate change. Each year we wait, about 150,000 people die from climate related disasters, forced relocation, and resource shortages. Drexel University can no longer conscionably fund an industry so culpable in exacerbating this infringement on human rights and the environment.

Therefore, we call on Drexel University's board of trustees to immediately freeze any new investments in fossil-fuel companies, and within five years to divest from direct ownership and from any commingled funds that include fossil-fuel public equities and corporate bonds. We believe such action on behalf of Drexel University will not only be a sound decision for our institution's financial portfolio, but also for the well-being of its students and surrounding communtiy, who all deserve the opportunity to live in a world that is not defined by climate chaos.

As an institution of higher education, Drexel must rise up and help pave the way for other institutions. Drexel University has an obligation to its students and local community to stand for progress, equality, and health, all of which are put in jeopardy by the fossil fuel industry which unjustly targets minority and lower income communities and threatens the existence of all human life. As the timer of catastrophic climate disaster counts down, Drexel University must think carefully about what side it is on. We students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members stand for climate justice, and we hope the university will too.