Editor’s note: This commentary is by Olivia Liu, a sophomore at the University of Vermont, studying environmental studies and wildlife biology.
[T]he world uses 100 million barrels of oil every single day. There are hardly any rules or regulations keeping that oil in the ground. We exploit this resource and only 1% of the population gains, leaving the rest to suffer the undeniable consequences of pumping that much carbon dioxide into the air we breathe.
In 2015, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was assigned the task of analyzing the possible impacts and outcomes of a 1.5-degree centigrade rise in global temperature. Ninety-one prominent scientists from 42 different countries reviewed over 6,000 published climate studies. The IPCC recently released their findings. It turns out we have 10-15 years at most before an unprecedented climate Armageddon – it sounds like we might be screwed, right?
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that is one of the main contributors to climate change and is released by the burning of fossil fuels. If we hope to stay beneath 1.5 or even 2.0 degrees of warming, it will require emitting no more than 565 gigatons of carbon dioxide. A gigaton is equivalent to a billion metric tons. To put that into perspective, a male African elephant weighs around 6.8 metric tons, so a gigaton is well over 100 million African elephants. Now multiply that gigaton by 565. That’s a colossal amount of carbon dioxide. In 2018, fossil fuel companies had enough fuel in their reserves to emit more than 2,795 gigatons.
We need to keep that fuel in the ground and we need to cut off our reliance on fossil fuels. We are already making crucial transitions to renewable energy. There are more electric cars on the road than ever before, and more jobs in the renewable energy sector than the fossil fuel industry, a sector that didn’t even exist 30 years ago! The value of fossil fuel companies will keep plunging no matter what OPEC does, especially as research and development improves renewable energy technologies and nations begin tightening restrictions on and lessening subsidies to fossil fuel companies.
I attend the University of Vermont, where I am working to receive my bachelor’s in environmental studies and wildlife biology. Once a young and naïve student, I was entranced by UVM’s advocacy for and dedication to protecting Vermont’s natural resources. Entrancement quickly turned sour when I realized that UVM had not divested from fossil fuel infrastructure. I learned that in 2013, despite a huge push from faculty and students, the UVM board of trustees decided not to divest part of its $400 million endowment.
Some may argue against divesting from fossil fuels. Energy is an essential sector for diversified investment funds, and fossil fuels historically have performed well. Schools can’t look past the lack of proven alternative investment models, and the uncertainties and risks that divestment might create. If return on investment suffers, many educational opportunities are threatened for students. This is, of course, an understandable worry. But, channeling 16-year-old Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, “I want you to act as if the house is on fire, because it is.” We see so many natural disasters in the news today that it has made us desensitized to tragedy. We have no future to look forward to if we don’t make serious changes right now. If UVM considers itself a leading sustainable college, then it should practice what it preaches. Looking out for the health and well-being of the students should be a top priority.
Colleges are taking action. On Jan. 29 of this year, Middlebury College committed to divesting $1 billion of its endowment from fossil fuels. It’s trying to achieve this within 15 years, and has promised to transition to 100% renewable energy sources, effectively reducing energy consumption by 25%. Bill McKibben said, “This is great news because it’s a billion dollars – but also because it’s one of the first institutions to reject divestment and then change its mind.” Colleges all over the country are divesting from fossil fuels. They don’t want to be associated with huge oil and gas conglomerates that live above the law, putting profit before people. If Middlebury can do it, why can’t we?
This is a time for action. Join the battle against fossil fuels. Check out 350.org’s website, participate in protests and make your voice heard. Send letters to the UVM board of trustees office, sign petitions, and utilize that tiny, powerful computer that you carry around in your pocket. Climate change is not a problem that’s going to go away. UVM has the chance to get ahead of the game and start making the transition towards renewable energy and sustainable development. It’s time to evolve beyond fossil fuels.
