The Greening of Gavin

Divesting From The Fossil Fuel Industry

@ By 5 Comments

Picture this.  Friday 7th June 2013, Melbourne Australia.  I had my golden tickets in my hand, ready to receive a Bill McKibben math lesson.
It was windy and cold, as 800+ people piled into the Atheneaum Theatre.  Once my daughter Amy and I took our seats, the lights began to dim.

The Hon. Adam Bandt (Australian Greens) took to the podium, and addressed the crowd for about five minutes, and then introduced Bill.

Then Bill came on stage.  He was amazing.  His presentation, aka the Maths lesson, was well delivered, funny at times, and factual.  Basically the facts are this.  We do not have much time to lower greenhouse gas emissions back to 350ppm, and if the Australian mining industry is allowed to expand their coal exports as is planned, then it is game over for the support system that the planet provides us. You cannot change the laws of physics.
It was not one of those pumped up, motivational speeches.  Bill talked calmly, and with an honesty that was heart warming.  

It was truly inspiring.  The quiet type of inspiration, that once absorbed, you knew exactly what you had to do next.  Both Amy and I walked way from the presentation ready to fight the good fight, as I dare say everyone else felt that way as well.  As we walked down Collins Street,  I felt empowered and I knew that it was time for this elder to make a stand and put his real money where his mouth was.

So to that end, tomorrow I am changing my Superannuation fund to an ethical one, and I am selling any shares that I have invested in any companies that support the fossil fuel industry including their financiers.  I don’t own any direct fossil fuel company shares, as it would be totally against my values, but I am taking it to the next level.

I know that by divesting in this industry and their supporters may sound like small potatoes, but if everyone does it, it will make a huge impact.

Thanks Bill for having the moral courage to deliver this message to us here in Australia.

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Wendy says

    I couldn’t get tickets in Brisbane – shame. I have no shares but I had not thought of my superannuation – I will look clearly at that now. Thanks, Wendy

    Reply

  3. Michael says

    bought the tickets but couldn’t get their on the day. Next time. But like all my friends who did make it I am looking through all my super and shares (such as they are) and checking to see if I need to divest from fossil fuel companies.

    chip! chip! chip!

    Reply

  4. Maree says

    Do you know if this was recorded, Gavin, for those of us unable to attend? Wise advice to move investments and superannuation. Let’s put our money where our mouths are. Little steps which add up to a big difference.

    Reply

  5. Penny Pincher says

    We were so sorry to have missed Bill McKibbon when he toured in our area. It would be great to hear what action he recommended. It sounds that divesting from companies with fossil fuel interests is one strategy. Did he offer other strategies? I would love to hear Gavin how you went about finding a super fund and a bank that didn’t have interests in this dirty industry. I look forward to another post from you on this topic.

    Reply

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