More and more investors pull their money out of coal, Gas and Oil industry – also in Germany. The physics Student Jondalar kiss is told in the DW-Interview, as he has his University from the Divestment convinced.
Deutsche Welle: Mr kiss, the Divestment movement is gaining momentum. Worldwide, there are nearly 1000 bodies and institutions not to invest in companies that do business with fossil energies. The total amount of Divestments has increased in the last few years. During 2014, approximately 44 billion euros (52 billion dollars) from the environment – and climate-damaging projects was deducted, investors have says worldwide, 5,37 trillion euros (6,24 trillion dollars) to divert, says a new report by the consulting firm Arabella Advisors. The Georg-August-University of Göttingen in the future will not invest in coal, Oil or gas companies. How did you as a student manage that?
Jondalar kiss: We took a very strategic. We first looked at the actors and the decision-making processes at the University With whom we must speak, in order for a Divestment decision a reality.
Then we started our search for allies, the same or similar interests, and our campaign would like to support. We have spoken with the student Parliament, with the sustainability officer to the Senate and explained to them, what are the benefits of Divestment for the climate and for the University.
We had students of the economic Sciences that have shown that green shares Fund cut much better today than in the past, sometimes even better than normal. So we managed to clear up some of the skepticism out of the way.
Read more: Divestment calls for coal and Oil
Jondalar kiss, to the left in the image, has advertised with friends for months on Divestment
That sounds relatively easy. At the University of Cambridge students are entered even in a hunger strike to get attention for the cause. Did you know no resistance?
No resistance, I wouldn’t say that now. There were people that were convinced from the outset. They feared that income could fall, if one restricts the investment possibilities. All in All, were all right-we had open and, at the latest, after the first contacts, it was always possible to have open discussions. There was quite a lot. We were surprised that we needed no forms of protest.
Another example from Germany: Münster preceded by the protection of the environment
What is it exactly that you have achieved?
The Göttingen University is a Foundation University, the assets of 191 million euros, and thus income. Our goal was that this money is not created arbitrarily, but only in companies that don’t deserve your money so that you can reduce fossil fuels and distribute, and thereby the climate change fueling.
The University is committed to the public good, and since it is also a moral responsibility. The big idea behind Divestment is that If it is wrong to destroy the climate, then it is also wrong to profit from it. The University did not invest now publicly known, in climate-damaging industries.
Divestment can be a relatively dry subject. Why are You so concerned with this Form of climate protection?
I find it very interesting, because you can take in this way, a relatively direct impact on the economy. Many of the initiatives are aimed at political actors, or individuals. This is incredibly important. Divestment promotes the responsibility of companies. Generally, it was an exciting and great experience. We have been working in small groups, had a lot of freedom of decision and action. I’ve learned a lot.
What would You advise other people who want to be in the Divestment movement active?
You should close together in groups. Alone you can’t make it. In the meantime, the Divestment-movement also in Germany. You can join existing groups or advice, if a group is founded. We want to give now: Our experience.
The Interview was conducted by Katharina alarm clock.
Jondalar kiss, studied physics with the goal of a Master’s degree in the second year
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