FAQs

According to Fossil Free, "divestment is the opposite of an investment — it simply means getting rid of stocks, bonds, or investment funds that are unethical or morally ambiguous. Fossil Fuel investments are a risk for investors and the planet -– that’s why we’re calling on institutions to divest from these companies."

"With more and more entities choosing to offload investments from fossil fuels every year, research has found that the movement has a clear positive impact. Every organization that commits to pulling its money out of fossil fuels causes the oil and gas industry to lose another avenue of capital. More people are concerned now than ever about the prevailing climate crisis. When enough interested parties learn how to avoid fossil fuels altogether, the energy sector can fundamentally change." - Unity Environmental University 

There are so many social justice issues in this world. We've chosen to focus on fossil fuel corporations because of the ways the climate crisis exacerbates existing social injustices & because the climate crisis is an issue that disproportionately impacts young people. 

If your personal values go further than this, you can divest in your own life! (Learn more on the resources page). 

No. A study done by BlackRock in 2020 found that "...portfolios 'experienced no negative financial impacts from divesting from fossil fuels. In fact, they found evidence of modest improvement in fund return.' The report’s executive summary states that 'no investors found negative performance from divestment; rather, neutral to positive results.'"  We don't have to choose one social good over another! 

Yes, in fact Seattle University (right across the street from SAAS) was the first school in Washington State to divest. Seattle Girls' School (middle school) and UW have also divested.  Here is a complete list of colleges that have stopped funding fossil fuels and here is a list of high schools with divestment campaigns in progress. 

Divestment is a large, growing social movement. High schoolers across the country and the world are successfully advocating for divestment.

50% of SAAS's investments are in this index fund.  20% of SAAS's investments are in this fund. 

SAAS's Climate Empowerment Club is part of the High School Divestment Coalition. To learn more about our club check out our linktree. To learn more about the High School Divestment Coalition, look at their website! 

We are so happy you're interested! Follow us @saas.climateempowerment on Instagram to get involved in our club at SAAS. If you're interested in getting involved in the local movement for climate justice, we recommend Sunrise Seattle or 350 Seattle.