CAM: WHAT WE DO

 OUR CAMpaigns:

THE ENDOWMENT

With $1 - 1.5 billion invested in the fossil fuel industry, the University of Michigan is in the ethically indefensible position of directly funding the climate crisis and the disruption of basic food systems and climate patterns across the globe, driving a humanitarian crisis on a massive scale. The administration’s claim that the endowment is “apolitical” demonstrates willful ignorance of the real impact their investments have on people’s lives. Beyond ecological collapse, U-M invests its funds with no consideration of whether it will be bankrolling exploitation, human rights violations, and violence.

CAM believes the University of Michigan must divest from fossil fuels and incorporate criteria for assessing the real-world impacts of future investments. U-M’s values are defined by where it invests its resources, not the words from the public relations office.

With a $14 billion endowment, U-M has the means and responsibility to ensure its investments are aligned with the public good, and not funding the violation of human rights.

How would we do this? Read our proposal to the Regents.

Example of just one of U-M’s fossil fuel investments, as detailed in historical Regents agendas , which demonstrates how U-M is using public funds to finance the expansion of fossil fuel extraction during 10 year typical lifetime of such “private equity” investments.

Example of just one of U-M’s fossil fuel investments, as detailed in historical Regents agendas, which demonstrates how U-M is using public funds to finance the expansion of fossil fuel extraction during 10 year typical lifetime of such “private equity” investments.

Want to learn more? Read about it through the links below:

  1. Climate and 1U protesters blockade exit after Regents, forcibly moved by police

  2. Protesters to University of Michigan: Commit to carbon neutrality by 2030

  3. Why is the University of Michigan Financing the Billionaire Oilman Whos’s Bankrolling the Texas Far Right? (Feb 3, 2020)

  4. MICHIGAN DAILY: Climate Action Movement releases statement calling for divestment of University funds in fossil fuel industry. January 13, 2020.

  5. MLIVE: Big Ten student body presidents demand universities freeze fossil fuel investments. January 28, 2020.

  6. Resolution Calling Big 10 Universities to Commit to Climate Conscious Investments.

  7. Regents announce freeze on FF investments (Feb 2020)

  8. MICHIGAN DAILY: From the Daily: Phase out fossil fuels. December 13, 2015.

  9. MICHIGAN DAILY: Fossil fuel divestment is complex but necessary. October 24, 2019.

  10. MICHIGAN DAILY: U-M has $1 billion invested in fossil fuels. Let the PCCN talk about it. November 26, 2019.

  11. MICHIGAN DAILY: Democratize U-M. March 26, 2020.

THE PRESIDENT’S COMMISSION ON CARBON NEUTRALITY:

In February 2019, the University of Michigan Administration created the President’s Commission on Carbon Neutrality (PCCN). From the start, the PCCN has been built and operated with flaws that indicate that the University of Michigan is not serious in upholding democracy, acting as a public institution, and driving towards true carbon neutrality that centers climate justice. We are working to hold the PCCN accountable to acting in the public interest and centering climate justice in its recommendations.

Want to learn more? Read about it through the links below:

  1. Planet Blue: U-M’s Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality Official Website

  2. MICHIGAN DAILY: Commission on Carbon Neutrality overlooked student adviser input (January 12, 2020)

  3. MICHIGAN DAILY: U-M allies in carbon neutrality have cloudy record on clean energy (March 10, 2019)

  4. CAM’s Open Letter: Recommendations for a Commission on Carbon Neutrality (October 2018)

  5. U-M Faculty Letter on Climate Change Action

G.E.O. SUPPORT:

The Graduate Employment Organization, the the labor union representing Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) and Graduate Student Staff Assistants (GSSAs) at the University of Michigan. G.E.O. is currently bargaining with the University of Michigan Administration on a large platform that includes providing more support to GSI's and GSSA’s as well as many climate proposals that center climate justice and highlight the intersectionality between climate change and many other progressive issues. Additionally, G.E.O. is bargaining to make he university more accountable as to how it spends its money so as to further progressive issues that ensure respect and livability for all. CAM is here to help support G.E.O. in many ways, including growing undergraduate awareness and support for G.E.O, the GSIs, and the GSSAs.

Want to stay up to date on bargaining? Visit G.E.O.s website for updates!

STRIKE SUPPORT:

CAM and its members have been involved in the planning of the last Global Climate Strikes, and is continuing to do so in the future. With civil disobedience and collective action taking a larger and larger role in the climate activism world, CAM is here to support those in our community who are in the center of the youth activist movement. CAM and its members provide support to many of the high schoolers who are leading the organizing efforts in the greater Washtenaw County area.

  1. Demands of U-M from March 15th 2019 Climate Strike

  2. Why climate activists and U-M administrators clashed over plans for carbon neutrality (Sept 19, 2019)

  3. Climate Strike protesters arrested at University of Michigan sit-in charged with trespassing (May 30, 2019)

  4. Climate strike sit-in at Fleming results in 10 arrests after rally (March 17, 2019)