FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE IN NJ: IT IS TIME TO DIVEST FROM FOSSIL FUELS NOW!

New Jersey must divest the State Pension Fund from fossil fuels now in a responsible manner! The future of the pension, the global financial system, and humanity depends on the investments we make today!  

The New Jersey State Pension Fund invests 4.8 billion dollars in fossil fuels. The New Jersey State Pension Fund uses our pensions to bankroll fossil fuel companies and fund the climate crisis.

Right now, the New Jersey State Legislature has a bill that would force the New Jersey State Pension Fund to divest from the top 200 publicly traded fossil fuel companies.  Bill S416/A1733 would force the New Jersey State Pension Fund to create a fossil-free portfolio by divesting from energy companies and bringing New Jersey’s investment strategy in line with its energy policy.

Bill S416/A1733 has 40 co-sponsors, but we need to amp up the pressure to ensure that the bill passes.

Financial institutions like banks, pensions, and insurance companies are pouring billions into fossil fuel projects that violate Indigenous rights and put the future of our planet in jeopardy. We want to hold them to account and force them to shift their investments into just and equitable climate solutions.

We want 100% real and clean energy for NJ. We have known for years that we have a climate change crisis. The continued proliferation of pipelines, compressor stations, power plants, highway expansions, Liquified Natural Gas projects, and other polluting fossil fuel infrastructure in our state New Jersey represents a significant threat to climate, public health, and our economy

New Jersey leaders need to transition to 100% clean energy by 2035 and the proposed Clean Energy Standard bill (S237/A1480) could get us there — if the right changes are made to strengthen it. We need a STRONG Clean Energy Standard that protects clean air, environmental justice communities, and in-state jobs.

But the Fossil Fuel industry is lobbying to have their dirty energy technologies defined as CLEAN.

Why Fossil Fuel Divestment Now ?

• Divestment has become a powerful tool and it weakens the industry’s financial position.The threat of large-scale divestment presents a material risk to their business.
• Although naysayers argue others will buy the divested stock, INFACT  that has not been the case with fossil fuels. Awareness of the damage fossil fuels are doing to our future is moving investors away from fossil fuels and towards renewables.
• Divestment is hurting the bottom line of fossil fuel companies and making it harder for companies to get financing for expansion projects.
• Divestment is a leadership statement, generating greater awareness of the dangers of fossil fuels and inspires action by more institutions and individuals.
• It appropriately stigmatizes the fossil fuel industry for its culpability in the climate crisis.
  It will eventually weaken the lobbying strength of the industry, which is significant in NJ. The solution lies as the world turns to low-carbon energy sources, implementing a net-zero scenario would significantly cut the use of fossil fuels.

I have made this petition to call for collective action and involvement from the community because humanity has a future on this planet. This issue affects everyone and we need change now! Please sign and share with others! Let's join hands for a sustainable Jersey as we have to fight for a liveable future.