A global campaign to invest less in oil and coal in favor of renewables

USE LESS OIL AND COAL –

Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas are the main cause of greenhouse gas emissions that are changing the climate and worsening poverty in the world's poorest communities. Suffice it to say that 2016 was the hottest year in recorded history , a record previously held by 2015 and 2014. For this reason, everyone must make a commitment to the planet that will host our children. The first to step forward are world leaders and major organizations, who, in response to the wishes of an ever-growing number of citizens, must begin to take a clear stand . To ensure that this accountability occurs as quickly as possible, the NGO 350.org has organized a “ Global Divestment Mobilization ,” an initiative in which people from all over the world are taking action to ask cities, universities, churches, pension funds, museums, and other institutions to demonstrate their willingness to incentivize renewable energy through divestment from fossil fuel industries.

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REDUCE THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS –

700 institutional investors have already joined the movement , with combined assets under management amounting to over $5 trillion. In Italy, 27 associations are promoting the campaign and have said no to oil and coal . Among them, many Catholic organizations stand out , from the Archdiocese of Pescara to the Jesuits. The latter were the second Jesuit province to divest globally after the Canadian one, and were followed by the Monastic Community of Siloam and subsequently the Interdiocesan Network New Lifestyles and Dialogue.

USE OF RENEWABLES –

The fact that Catholic associations are on the front lines is no coincidence. It's clear that the decisions made two years ago at the Paris Summit were ineffective and that the situation hasn't improved. For this reason, it's necessary to accelerate the ongoing energy transition, divesting from fossil fuels and focusing on clean energy . This initiative fully reflects Pope Francis's encyclical "Laudato Si' ," in which the pontiff invites everyone, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, " to care for our common home ."

The photo is taken from the Facebook page 350.org

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