In the aftermath of another round of divisive elections in the United States (and around the globe) many of us feel distraught about the ability and speed of our political systems to address urgent social challenges. Votes may have been cast and ballots counted, but that does not mean we must wait another two years for our next chance to shape our world.
Large mutual funds and index funds are invested in everything, from big tobacco to Monsanto to fossil fuels. Their objective is to encapsulate and track the entire economy. However, recent research shows that performance of such fossil fuel-invested portfolios do not outperform those that are fully divested.
Do you feel powerless in the face of climate change? Do you have money in a major bank? Do you own any stocks? What about that retirement account you forgot about from a previous employer? Are you confused by the massive, opaque financial world but acknowledge the need to save for boba tea and multiple pairs of socks? Maybe you want to know how your money can be used to…
In recent months, politically-motivated events have impacted life at Berkeley, disrupting a place we call home. We asked ERGies how they engage with the world through or outside of the university, why, and to what ends.
The students initiated an unanticipated ERG Town Hall the day after the presidential election in the department Reading Room.
Klein’s ideas are big, and in many ways they go beyond what’s taught in classrooms in terms of boldness. But how can students translate ideas into action? One of the most exciting aspects of studying energy now is that there are ample opportunities to engage in related advocacy outside the classroom, perhaps more than ever before.
Despite the fact that I come from a country where demonstrations happen every week (for good and for bad) – or maybe because of that – my first thought was: “What in the world is going to change for politicians when a bunch of people take to the streets on a Sunday morning for an hour and a half?” And yet, I found this initiative pretty exciting.
We couldn’t be in the streets for the People’s Climate March, so July Cole and I sent a provocation as part of the Rare Earth Catalog project. Our contribution is a Phenomenisto–an anti-manifesto as call for trans-species solidarity– a method for attending to phenomena that emerge in particular instances of climate chaos and human mitigation strategies–a mobile you can cut out and hang above your bed.
It is interesting to note that this is often expressed as the triumph of individuals over institutions, wrapped in a mantle of progress and development. Some of it, admittedly, does promote efficiency and social progress. But not all, and not everywhere. The creation of new social and political risks without forethought is already stirring demands for institutional control, a genuinely unfunded mandate. There is also a redistribution of wealth and privilege, instantiated by rapid obsolescence.
…in a way, Professor Robert Reich has been trying to do so for his entire career.