Our shirts bore the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “People of conscience need to break their ties with corporations financing the injustice of climate change.” We self-identified as students, economists, lawyers, teachers, millennials, health care workers, and small biz owners (me). And we rallied together before a public hearing on a bill that, if passed, would stop MD’s Montgomery County from investing in fossil fuels.
A local grassroots group, 350moco.org, along with three County Council members, who co-sponsored the measure worked hard to get to this point.
They weren’t the first to pursue such a goal: Georgetown University, the Guardian Media Group, the cities of Minneapolis and the District of Columbia, the World Council of Churches, and hundreds of other institutions have divested from oil, coal, and gas. (Complete list here.)
The arguments for doing so basically come down to 1) It’s a tad crazy “…to invest in companies that undermine our future” (Desmond Tutu again), and 2) Investing in fossil fuels makes about as much economical sense as investing in the animal fur industry. That’s because much of the world’s reserves of coal, oil, and gas cannot be burned if the Earth is to stay within a 2-degree C. increase, a target agreed upon by the United States and nearly every other country on Earth. Fossil fuel investments, in other words, are considered by many economists to be “stranded assets.”
But like peace, divestment begins at home. If we’re asking our local governments, schools, churches, and other institutions to divest, we best be ready to do it ourselves. Luckily, it ain’t that hard.
If you live in an area with energy choice, choose renewables. Everyone in MD, VA, and DC has energy choice, and many other states offer it, too. (Here’s a state-by-state list.) Making the switch is fast and easy; you’ll continue using the same utility wires, and you’ll continue to receive just one electric bill. There’s no penalty for switching, but you will likely pay more for clean energy than you did for dirty. (In 2012, my 100% wind power electric bill cost $120 more than non-renewable energy would’ve cost me for that year.)
For residential renewable energy options in MD, VA, or DC, check out WGL Energy or CleanChoice Energy.
Natural gas is a little trickier. Most of the gas we use for cooking and heating comes from fracking, and alternatives aren’t readily available. But in the DC metro area, Baltimore, and PA, you can purchase carbon offsets. (The cost will vary depending on your usage.) To learn more and sign up, click here. Gas suppliers in other states also offer offsets; give your provider a jingle.
Lastly, find out if your mutual funds and 401(k) invest in fossil fuel stocks. You can do that and search for fossil free funds and socially responsible funds here.
Oh! And, of course, divest yourself from gas-powered lawn care companies!
It feels good to get clean … energy. Go tell it on the non-mined mountaintop: Divest Thyself.