Divestment
What is fossil fuel divestment?
Divestment is an international movement for institutions like universities, churches, and pension funds to withdraw their investments from fossil fuel companies. The University of Winnipeg Foundation has millions invested in the fossil fuel sector. Alongside a coalition of student groups and faculty, the UWSA is calling on our university to become the first institution in Manitoba to fully divest.
Click the link below to join the Divest UW Zoom Meeting – March 25
12.45 PM – Part 1
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/857920656
Meeting ID: 857 920 656
1.15 PM – Part 2
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/150120239
Meeting ID: 150 120 239
Why is it important?
To avoid climate catastrophe, we must limit global warming to two degrees Celsius. Fossil fuel companies are prepared to burn five times the amount of carbon that would bring us to this critical point. These companies are also pushing for dangerous projects, such as the Line 3 replacement pipeline, that threaten the health and environmental well-being of communities. While fossil fuel companies generate large profits, they are very risky investments.
The U of W takes pride in its commitment to ‘Sustainability and Indigenization.’ Students, faculty and staff have been saying that it is unjust for the university to market itself through this slogan while profiting from the non-consensual exploitation of Indigenous land. We’re asking the university to fully live up to its commitments by freezing any new investments from fossil fuel companies and committing to completely divest from these industries.
Is there support for divestment?
Check out this video of testimonies in support of fossil fuel divestment at the University of Winnipeg. Divestment at the U of W has received public support from international leaders such as Dr. Vandana Shiva, Winona LaDuke, Naomi Klein, Dr. David Suzuki, and numerous guest speakers at the U of W.
How can I help?
March 23-29 is Divest UWinnipeg: Digital Week of Action! Do one simple task a day to take part in calling on the U of W Foundation to divest from fossil fuels. Click here to check out all the actions or follow us on social media @uwinnipeg.divest.
You can help by taking action now!
Divest Winnipeg is a student group that meets regularly to develop this campaign on campus. If you’re interested in getting involved, check them out on Facebook here!
Join the Divest UW 2019-20 group by:
- Following us on Facebook and Instagram at @uwinnipeg.divest
- Attending a DivestUW meeting at The Hive every Wednesday at 12.30 PM
I want to learn more!
Check out gofossilfree.ca for a wealth of information about the campaign. Click here to read a summary on divestment at the University of Winnipeg.
The UWinnipeg Faculty for Divestment Info Sheet is also a great resource for background and details.
Update:
The University of Winnipeg Foundation and the UWSA have had discussions regarding their Responsible Investing Policy and how they can both move towards Divestment. The 2018-19 VPSA, Jade DeFehr presented an update and recommendations to the University of Winnipeg Board of Regents in Spring 2019. You can read the presented speech here: Board of Regents Responsible Investments Speech.
