Fossil Free Lakehead Spreads the Love

Sustainability Initiative sends 200 valentines to Lakehead’s President

By Erin Knight, Contributor

In honour of Global Divestment Day and Valentine’s Day, Fossil Free Lakehead went “looking for commitment” from Lakehead University President, Moira McPherson, to divest the university from fossil fuel companies.

Essentially the opposite of investing, divestment removes financial support from the fossil fuel industry; keeping reserves in the ground, and promoting a shift in the market to demand more renewable sources of energy. The fight against climate change is also strengthened when institutions like Lakehead engage in acts of divestment.  Last fall, a committee organized by the LUSU Sustainability Initiative explored ways to take up the mantle of asking Lakehead to divest, including a revival of the Fossil Free Lakehead campaign.

Photo provided by LUSU Sustainability Initiative

February 12, 13 and 14 were spent canvassing students on campus to raise awareness about divestment, and to gauge support for the campaign. Through the use of climate change-themed Valentine’s Day cards, they were successful in gathering 200 signed cards which were then packaged and mailed to the President’s office. No word yet on how all the “love” was received.

An online survey has also been created to reinforce the student support for divestment at Lakehead. Students wishing to fill one out by visiting https://tinyurl.com/DivestSurvey and then be entered in a prize raffle of donations provided by local coffee shops, Prime Gelato and Pearl River Pottery.