Michigan Tech Fossil Fuel Divestment

 About the Petition:

KYCA is currently leading a petition for Michigan Tech to divest from fossil fuels. We currently have over 550 signatures, with a goal of reaching at least 750.

The petition reads:

Michigan Technological University has positioned itself as a leader in the innovations of the 21st century. We believe that one of the most important of these innovations will be the transition to a global zero-emission economy. Therefore, we ask that Michigan Tech :

(1) 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 their investment portfolio,

(2) 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝘁 new investments into the fossil fuel industry,

(3) 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱-𝘂𝗽𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 from any current fossil fuel investments, and consider the reinvestment of these funds to be an opportunity to support environmental and social justice, and

(4) 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 with the student body, faculty, staff, and community members

Why are we calling for divestment?

We all deserve a healthy planet with clean, breathable air, drinkable water, and thriving, biodiverse ecosystems. Climate change poses a serious crisis to the well-being of our planet, and this crisis must be solved by ceasing to consume fossil fuels.

Locally, climate change is already impacting, or is projected to impact:

The Environment
Lake Superior is one of the fastest warming lakes in the world. Climate change affects (or is expected to affect) the lake in various ways, including reducing ice cover and increasing susceptibility to invasive species and algal blooms.

Cultural Lifeways
Sugar maples are projected to lose most of their habitat, endangering traditions of making maple syrup and sugar.

Oil pipelines in the local area (Line 5 and Line 3) threaten Ottawa and Chippewa wild rice fields, forests, waters and Indigenous Treaty agreements.

The Economy
The “Father’s Day flood” of June 17, 2018, cost Houghton around $30 million in infrastructure damages. Extreme weather events such as this storm are predicted to increase in frequency.

Fluctuating water levels across the Great Lakes wreak havoc on business, beaches, and homes.

Regional Recreation
Many beloved winter sports and recreational activities, such as skiing, snowshoeing, sled-dog racing, and MTU-specific events such as the Winter Carnival snow sculpture competition and broomball, are threatened by a warming climate.

We must also acknowledge that regions with more vulnerable ecosystems and fewer resources are experiencing far more deadly situations than what we face here.

What can you do to help:

Sign the petition and share it with others connected to Michigan Tech and the local community through email and/or social media. Share your story and let them know why this is important.