Fossil Free Advocacy
Turning individual divestment into social activism
Your individual leading to divest from fossil fuels can be the seed of a larger divestment campaign if you are willing to share your divestment leading with your Meeting, workplace, or social network. There tends to be a taboo among Friends and in our society in general around discussing personal finances. But you don't have to disclose details--just share the joy of having begun the divestment process and your concern for climate justice. Here are some simple but important ideas for turning your individual leading into activism:
1. Take the Pledge
You can add your name to the list of individuals who have committed to divestment. Remember that divestment is a process. It's the pledge to get started that is important. And if you don't want to add your own name, check out the resources on the Divest/Invest website for future reference. Then look at the list of organizations that have taken the pledge to see if your meeting or church, Yearly Meeting or favorite Quaker organization is listed. Many are! And if yours is not, you may want to initiate a process of discernment about taking the "organizational pledge" as well. (See #3, below)
2. Become a divestment advocate
It is possible or even probable that despite the wave of new fossil free investment vehicles, your options will be limited in your employer retirement plan or pension plan. By politely requesting that the menu of available mutual funds or other investments be expanded to include fossil free options, you will bring attention to the issues of climate change and climate justice. Simply making the request will focus the attention of others who may not know about alternative investments, or may not even be aware of the fossil fuel industry’s role in creating global climate change and its influence over policymakers and the economy. There are many sample letters ad blueprints for such advocacy available on websites like gofossilfree.org but here are a few for you to look at to get you started:
1. Take the Pledge
You can add your name to the list of individuals who have committed to divestment. Remember that divestment is a process. It's the pledge to get started that is important. And if you don't want to add your own name, check out the resources on the Divest/Invest website for future reference. Then look at the list of organizations that have taken the pledge to see if your meeting or church, Yearly Meeting or favorite Quaker organization is listed. Many are! And if yours is not, you may want to initiate a process of discernment about taking the "organizational pledge" as well. (See #3, below)
2. Become a divestment advocate
It is possible or even probable that despite the wave of new fossil free investment vehicles, your options will be limited in your employer retirement plan or pension plan. By politely requesting that the menu of available mutual funds or other investments be expanded to include fossil free options, you will bring attention to the issues of climate change and climate justice. Simply making the request will focus the attention of others who may not know about alternative investments, or may not even be aware of the fossil fuel industry’s role in creating global climate change and its influence over policymakers and the economy. There are many sample letters ad blueprints for such advocacy available on websites like gofossilfree.org but here are a few for you to look at to get you started:
| how_to_advocate_for_fossil_fuel_free_options_in_your_401_k_.docx |
| letter_to_pension_or_retirement_plan_administrator.docx |
3. Lead a process of corporate discernment
If your meeting or church has invested funds that are socially screened (for tobacco, weapons, military contracts, etc) but are not fossil fuel free, you could consider initiating a process of discernment about divestment. Many organizations are on board with the concept but simply haven't had the focus or expertise to adjust their screening for fossil fuels. Individuals in your Friends meeting or church may also benefit from a process that informs and clarifies regarding the fossil free divestment movement. You can find the resources you need to initiate the discussion with your meeting, church, Yearly Meeting or other Quaker organizations on the QEW Divestment Conversation page here.
(More ways... to be revealed)
If your meeting or church has invested funds that are socially screened (for tobacco, weapons, military contracts, etc) but are not fossil fuel free, you could consider initiating a process of discernment about divestment. Many organizations are on board with the concept but simply haven't had the focus or expertise to adjust their screening for fossil fuels. Individuals in your Friends meeting or church may also benefit from a process that informs and clarifies regarding the fossil free divestment movement. You can find the resources you need to initiate the discussion with your meeting, church, Yearly Meeting or other Quaker organizations on the QEW Divestment Conversation page here.
(More ways... to be revealed)