Environmental activists won an incredible victory this week after the state of New York announced it will divest its $226 billion pension fund from fossil fuels. New York state has the third-largest pension fund in the US, with more than $12 billion having been invested in … [Read more...] about New York to divest massive pension fund from fossil fuels
oil
EU’s biggest oil producer votes to end all new oil and gas exploration
Denmark is currently the biggest oil producer in the European Union. That’s why it’s a big deal that the Danish government voted last week to bring an immediate end to all new oil and gas exploration in the Danish North Sea. The move is part of a plan to phase out fossil fuel … [Read more...] about EU’s biggest oil producer votes to end all new oil and gas exploration
Oil-soaking sponge cleans contaminated wastewater from offshore drilling
Drilling and fracking for oil under the seabed produces 100 billion barrels of oil-contaminated wastewater every year by releasing tiny oil droplets into the surrounding water. While most efforts are concentrated on cleaning up large oil spills, researchers are looking for … [Read more...] about Oil-soaking sponge cleans contaminated wastewater from offshore drilling
This is how Harvard students confronted Exxon’s law firm
With this weekend's Optimist View in mind, we bring you another fantastic case of civil disobedience. Last week, more than 100 first-year Harvard law students gathered at a restaurant in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for a reception hosted by the corporate law firm Paul, Weiss, … [Read more...] about This is how Harvard students confronted Exxon’s law firm
Peru pledges to end palm oil-driven deforestation by 2021
Palm oil is literally everywhere – in our foods, cosmetics, cleaning products and fuels. And, while being a source of huge profits for multinational corporations, our palm oil consumption has devastating consequences for the environment – from displacing indigenous people and … [Read more...] about Peru pledges to end palm oil-driven deforestation by 2021