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Mayor de Blasio Announces Goal to Divest New York City from Fossil Fuels

Today, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a plan to divest the city's $189 billion pension fund from fossil fuels within the next five years, making New York City the first major US pension plan to do so. Momentum behind the push to defund the fossil fuel industry is growing in New York; last month, Governor Andrew Cuomo called on the state's retirement fund to divest from fossil fuels.

Mayor de Blasio also announced that the city has filed a lawsuit against the five largest investor-owned fossil fuel companies over their contributions to climate change.

WASHINGTON

Today, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a plan to divest the city's $189 billion pension fund from fossil fuels within the next five years, making New York City the first major US pension plan to do so. Momentum behind the push to defund the fossil fuel industry is growing in New York; last month, Governor Andrew Cuomo called on the state's retirement fund to divest from fossil fuels.

Mayor de Blasio also announced that the city has filed a lawsuit against the five largest investor-owned fossil fuel companies over their contributions to climate change.

In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
"This is what climate leadership looks like. To confront the climate crisis, we must hold corporate polluters accountable in the streets, in the boardrooms, and in the courts. In the absence of leadership from the White House, it's encouraging to see city and state leaders like Mayor de Blasio stepping up and taking meaningful action to defund the fossil fuel industry and fight climate change."

The Sierra Club is the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. We amplify the power of our 3.8 million members and supporters to defend everyone's right to a healthy world.

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