This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
With regard to the University of Utah divesting from fossil fuels: The objective of a majority of faculty is to move our community, state, nation — the whole Earth — away from combustion as a source of energy. It is the burning of coal/oil/gas/trees that yields CO2, with dire consequences for our climate.
I am open to any persuasion, ruling or economic inducement that will turn down the burning of carbonaceous substances and facilitate the use of non-combustive, non-polluting carbon sources such as wind, sunlight and moving waters.
Coming from the university, divestment from fossil investments would be impactful because it is our major source of knowledge, exerting leadership by communicating the disaster that will be delivered by combustion. Particular businesses are not being targeted, nor is action to be precipitous. Investment portfolios would be rearranged gradually over some five years. I have yet to hear that investments in industries have no stimulatory impacts.
University divestment is acknowledgment from an informed source that our energy regimes must be transitioned, away from carbonaceous towards renewables. Demands for permits to drill 5,750 new oil wells in Utah (Tribune, June 29) are not acceptable.
Naomi Franklin
Salt Lake City