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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Lindsay Meiman, lindsay@350.org

Dec 15: New Yorkers to Mobilize at NYC Pension Meeting Urging Full Fossil Fuel Divestment

NEW YORK, NY

Just three days after an annual report revealed the global fossil fuel divestment movement has doubled in size, with 688 commitments across 76 countries representing $5 trillion in assets, a broad spectrum of New Yorkers backed by a global movement will mobilize around the New York City pension funds quarterly board meeting. This is the third year in a row the report was released in New York, yet New York City and New York State remain heavily invested in dirty fossil fuel companies, such as ExxonMobil, to the tune of billions.

What: New Yorkers mobilize around NYC quarterly pension meeting urging full fossil fuel divestment, reinvestment in people and planet. #DivestNY

Who: A broad spectrum of New Yorkers including union members, teachers and retirees. Organizations represented include 350 Brooklyn, 350 NYC, 350.org, Divest-Invest, GreenFaith, New York Communities for Change, New York Progressive Action Network.

When: Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 8:00 AM EST

Where: New York City Comptroller's office at 1 Centre Street, 10th Floor, Room 1005, NY, NY

Why: New Yorkers > Fossil fuels. At the end of the hottest year in history, with climate change an immediate existential risk for New York, it's more critical than ever for our institutions to take the necessary bold action on climate. In the face of a regressive and anti-climate Trump administration, our institutions -- especially at the local and state level -- must step into their leadership and divest the City's $170 billion pension funds from the fossil fuel industry that is knowingly perpetuating the climate crisis, and reinvest in a sustainable economy that works for all New Yorkers.

350 is building a future that's just, prosperous, equitable and safe from the effects of the climate crisis. We're an international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.