About which is the University of Toronto more concerned? A shorter version of this article was published previously in Canada’s National Observer (click here) As faculty members at the University of Toronto, we were pleased to read Amy Mann’s recent opinion piece in the National Observer, “Beware all promises to reach net-zero emissions with offsets.” Organizations are increasingly using obfuscating language and sophisticated brand management strategies in order to polish their climate bona fides, and …
Justice Oliver Cromwell Releases Report on Divestment
In a star-studded event at the President’s official mansion yesterday, President Gertler thanked Justice Oliver Cromwell for his recently completed report on Divestment from Fossil Fuels. “My goal was to ensure a fair, impartial and independent report conducted by a widely respected figure who was entirely at arm’s length from the University,” said Gertler. “My old friend, Justice Oliver “Ollie” Cromwell, generated a comprehensive narrative and authoritative review of the facts, leading him to reach …
The University of Toronto announces appointment of Professor I.M. Fracker, inaugural Troglodyte Chair of Fossil Futures
Professor Fracker has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the development of non-conventional means of extracting oil and natural gas, and thus making significant and lasting contributions to perpetuating the fossilocene. This appointment and the funding associated with it will allow Professor Fracker to continue to advance his important research in the area of sustainable energy futures. Commenting on his ground-breaking work, Professor Fracker said “This is fantastic. I am so excited to be …
President Gertler Takes Aim at Universities Falling Short of Climate Leadership
With bold rhetoric usually reserved for talking about solving other problems or convincing donors to pony up, the normally dignified President of the University of Toronto laid into a number of Canadian universities for “an utter failure to show the leadership that the climate crisis demands.”
UTAM joins UNIE –Pledges to “kick ass” of fossil fuel companies in its portfolio
On February 18, 2021, a coalition of Canadian university endowments and pension plans, including UTAM, announced that they were launching a new initiative, UNIE – THE UNIVERSITY NETWORK FOR INVESTOR ENGAGEMENT — to directly engage investee corporations on climate change risks. (see here). UTAM immediately announced that it would be sending representatives to the next shareholder meeting of the Saudi National Oil Company (Aramco) in order to demand a complete stop to all oil production, …