Divest state pension fund from fossil fuels

The robust call from academics to New York’s pension fund to divest from fossil fuels could not be more timely (“Advocates call for complete fossil fuel divestment for state pension," Sept. 11). Our beautiful American West is on fire. There have been numerous tropical systems brewing out of the Atlantic, many headed west. Climate disruption is here, but our president denies it. New Yorkers need to take the lead.

We applauded the passage of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, but now we need a complimentary Fossil Fuel Divestment Act. The combustion of fossil fuels is at the heart of the climate crisis, but New York state’s retirement fund continues to maintain billions of dollars in these dirty, destructive industries.

State Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli speaks of a climate plan and of an ability, with the fossil fuel investments, to have influence with these companies with regard to climate action. This shared advocacy is not working well. The level of greenhouse gases continues to grow in our atmosphere and, in response, the global temperature rises. Our climate’s stability continues to degrade and extreme events such as insidious fires and monster hurricanes pummel us.

Bill Mckibben, author and activist, spoke during the media event that rolled out this announcement from the academics. He said that divestment is easy, it saves money and is smart. I agree. A serious uptick in renewable energy, more-sustainable agricultural practices and a dramatic draw-down of

support for fossil fuels is desperately needed. We need the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act.

Sally Courtright

Loudonville