GW students typically pride themselves on their activism. From Allied in Pride to Teach for America, it sometimes seems like almost everyone on campus is involved with some cause or another. And while the lofty ambitions of some of these organizations are commendable, their recipes for success revolve around concrete and pragmatic goals.
But there’s one key area of activism that should shape our generation and our university: pushing for divestment to help slow global warming.
Students in universities and colleges across the country who are concerned about rising carbon dioxide levels have already gotten involved by encouraging their administrations to halt investments in massive fossil fuel corporations.
As of spring 2012, GW students established their own divestment campaign group, called Fossil Free GW, which has begun to engage in student outreach. They received $200 from the Student Association for the upcoming school year. It isn’t much, but it’s a start.
But here’s the problem. Divestment groups like Fossil Free GW can’t succeed in persuading the administration unless a significant number of students are meaningfully involved and interested.
A popular critical mass is necessary for their success, which can only be built if GW students realize that they can effect real change through groups like these — not necessarily through standard-bearing political groups like College Democrats or College Republicans.
They can push GW, and say that if administrators are true to their green commitment, they’d be hypocritical to shy away from pursuing divestment. It would be an opportunity to take the helm on an environmental issue that isn’t seeing much progress nationally.
Admittedly, this will be a challenge for student activists. In 2006, the University declined to divest from groups that invest in hot-button Middle Eastern countries despite student outcry. And few major universities across the country have decided that divestment from fossil fuel companies is a good financial decision.
At a time when the University is looking to grow its endowment and pay for myriad construction projects across campus, becoming more selective in where it places investments might be a risky choice.
But even though momentum from students on this issue has yet to pick up, there are tangible signs that the University cares about making campus eco-friendly.
In the fall, the University established a sustainability minor. Students compete each year for their residence hall to be the one that uses the least amount of environmentally costly resources like water and electricity. Administrators proudly boast of the University’s LEED-certified buildings, including the Smith Center, and they’ve pledged to ensure that future campus structures are equally environmentally friendly.
Fossil fuel divestment is an issue that this community cannot afford to ignore – especially since we pride ourselves on being one of the most politically active and environmentally focused universities in the nation.
As new students flood onto campus for Colonial Inauguration, they’ll hear from countless students and administrators that the best way to truly get the most out of their college experience is to get involved on campus.
So Class of 2017, as you begin your time in D.C. this fall, divestment is an issue to get vocal about.
The writer, William Green, is a senior majoring in American studies.
