Georgetown slams brakes on fossil fuel investments

摘要

Georgetown University has joined a growing list of institutions that have committed to dumping their investments in fossil fuels. The university pledged Thursday to make no new investments in fossil fuels, to divest from companies whose "primary business" is fossil fuel exploration or extraction, and to increase its clean-energy holdings. "Divestment allows us to divert more capital to fund development of renewable energy projects that will play a vital role in the transition away from fossil fuels — part of the long-term solution required to prevent the most dangerous effects of climate change," Michael Barry, Georgetown's chief investment officer, said in a statement. The decision follows nearly a decade of student activism spearheaded by the group GU Fossil Free. Even as one class after another cycled through the university, the group kept pressing the school to divest from companies within the oil and gas, coal and oil sands sectors. Victoria Boatwright, a Georgetown sophomore and GU Fossil Free member, said the students are ecstatic about the university's decision, which she said signals "total alignment between the board of directors and the student body" — a cause for celebration in and of itself.