Climate-fueled disasters exacted a devastating toll across the world again in 2023 with more extreme weather events (over $1 Billion in cost) in the USA than ever. At the same time, the fossil fuel companies had record profits and the biggest, dirtiest banks (Chase, Citi, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo) are continuing to fund the expansion of the fossil fuel industry when we know that any new development will just lengthen the time for us to address global warming. We have some great solutions (solar and wind energy, electric cars, electrification, cleaner and more efficient buildings) and the Inflation Reduction Act provides great incentives and programs to spur innovation and success. We work to ensure we’re moving in the right direction as fast as possible.
Contact:
- Elliot Rossen at erossen@comcast.net (co-chair)
- Jack Swenson at johnlswenson@gmail.com (co-chair)
- Kathy Tholin at kathy.tholin@gmail.com (co-chair)
Regular meeting:
Monthly, usually the third Wednesday of the month. See “Events” for the next meeting.
Current activities:
- Ensure that Illinois Has Climate Safe Public Pension Funds. A climate safe world depends on investing wisely our collective resources including the funds states set aside for pension beneficiaries. This is why we are excited to be championing House Bill 3037 and Senate Bill 3717 (Illinois Pension Divestment Act) which would require our state to prohibit the investment of public pension funds in fossil fuels. We are joining 350 Chicago and the Climate Realty Project in forming Climate Safe Pensions Illinois, a campaign to create a critical mass of support for this legislation.
- Pressure the Big Banks and Corporations to Stop Financing Fossil Fuel Companies to Pollute our World, Destroy our Health, and Expand the Climate Chaos. We are participating in 2-3 major national campaigns focused on private divestment of large, private investment portfolios through coordinated “actions”.
- Help People Make Climate-Safe Personal Investments Through our “Move Your Money” Program. A climate safe world starts with us. Each of us makes individual financial decisions which put our money in the hands of banks, fund managers and insurance companies who invest it on our behalf. To change our financial services choices can seem complicated and we’re here to help everyone simply that process!
How you can help:
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Are you interested in large, impactful projects to help stop the money pipeline that is fueling climate chaos?
- Are you interested in ensuring future generations can live on a thriving, sustainable planet?
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Do you want to ensure that the huge state pension funds are not financing fossil fuel expansion? We are looking for team leaders in every legislative district and every allied environment organization to bring people together around this issue. Please join us!
