The UoB Climate Justice Movement hosted their very own Divest Fest

Last Friday (18th March), the UoB Climate Justice Movement (CJM) hosted Divest Fest at the Mermaid Square, Guild of Students. It was a day of festivities centred around climate change and fossil fuel divestment.

They are a newly formed student group advocating for the university to divest from fossil fuels and provide information on how these issues link to the different student groups at UoB.

Throughout Divest Fest there were live performances, speeches, stalls and activities related to the movement, with many UoB societies showing their support and participating in the event.

Societies that participated included Islamic Society, KINVIG, Philosophy Soc, UoB UNICEF, Solidarity UoB and many more.

Black Voices UoB and BreatheUni both held stalls and provided information on how the climate crisis and fossil fuel investment affects their societies, as well as performing speeches speaking out on the issue.

Philosophy Soc provided resources on why philosophy is important for the climate crisis and how it shapes climate change in many ways.

Students made a banner of the CJM logo out of old t-shirts and up-cycled clothing rags. The banner provided a space to write thoughts on the climate crisis and encouraging the university to live up to its social responsibility.

Students contributed to a banner with thoughts on UoB’s investment in fossil fuels.

You can find their Instagram here for more information about the society and all the upcoming events they are planning. Their petition asking the university to divest from fossil fuels can be signed here.

The University of Birmingham said: “The University of Birmingham invests in companies that are committed to transitioning to a sustainable future and an associated lower carbon world in line with the Paris Agreement, enabling us to influence change.

“All investments are identified by the University’s socially-conscious, independent investment managers; they comply with the University’s Responsible Investment Policy, which excludes oil and mining companies where over 5% of their global revenues come from the largest pollutants.

“The University of Birmingham is committed to sustainability, setting ambitious targets to achieve net zero carbon by 2045. We have also signed up to the UN Race to Zero global campaign, which aims to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions and investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.”

More information about the university’s commitment to their environmental policy can be found on the People & Planet website.

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