NYU DIVEST NOW
Divest in fossil fuels, invest in a sustainable future.
Divestment, Explained
Divestment is the opposite of investment, removing funds from certain sources by way of freezing assets, selling stocks, and boycotting further investment. The fossil fuel divestment movement is pushing defund to the industries and practices that are demonstrably destructive of our climate, including the production and transportation of oil, coal, and gas.
One, fossil fuel industries--the largest contributors to global warming globally--are stigmatized as investments and deprived of funds, often instead putting financial stake into green energy. The financial impact a large institution like NYU can make far outpaces individual changes against climate change, hitting directly at an industry level instead of consumer choices. Two, despite marketing otherwise, fossil fuels are no longer lucrative (or safe) choices of investment. Based on positive shifts away from these industries, in recent years, its been reported that major oil and gas companies often underperform the market in general. Being personally invested in green energy, for the sake of our planet's future, just makes financial investment in fossil fuels a losing battle.
In practical terms, the NYU divestment petition includes demands to immediately freeze any new investments in the 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies, and to fully divest from any direct ownership of them within five years. Additionally, NYU divest is campaigning to exclude the private prison industry from NYU's investments.
History of Divest NYU
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2015
NYU Student Senate overwhelmingly votes yes on a divestment resolution.
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2016
After pro-divestment protests, faculty support, and meetings with NYU Divest leadership, the Board of Trustees rejects the resolution to divest.
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2017
Continued protests and action by NYU Divest, addressing conflicts of interest among the Board of Trustees' professional investments.
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2018
Founding of Decarbonize NYU, NYU Divest and SLAM student members report retaliation from university.
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2019
NYU University Senate Passes Decarbonization Resolution.
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2021
Sunrise NYU launches new divestment petition, with added demands for private prison divestment, and endowment transparency.
Sign the Petition.
Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are showing their support for the student senate's divestment resolution with a survey organized by Sunrise NYU. Add your name here.
Learn more.
Divestment is not limited to institutions--if you have or plan to hold stocks, bonds, or investments, learn more about how you can invest in a green future:
Listen: How to Save a Planet Podcast, "Are My Retirement Savings Invested in Fossil Fuels?? Help!"
Watch: Do the Math: the Movie, by 305.org
Read: GoFossilFree.Org
Success Stories
The divestment moment is picking up traction in recent years, with waves of major and influential institutions making public commitments:
University of California, May 2020
Oxford University, April 2020
Cambridge University, October 2020
University of Michigan, March 2021
Harvard University, September 2021
Outside of education, New York State's $226 pension fund has committed to divesting from fossil fuels, with Mayor de Blasio and the City of New York following suit with $4 billion of divestment.