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<p>Hi Everyone<br>
<br>
I write this with a heavy heart. I was at the meeting for the
“Consultation on the divestment of Fossil Fuels” this morning. The
meeting was hosted by Dr Amanda Ellison and Kate Deeming, 6 people
attended and Katie took down what was said. <br>
<br>
I'll get straight to the nitty-gritty after the introduction was
said. The University is not going to commit to divestment (if it
ever does) until they have done an assessment of whether
divestment is best for the university and students. <br>
<br>
The University are dragging their feet on this issue, and I think
they will keep dragging them. Dr Ellison said that (not her words)
the University have been trying to tackle this issue for years;
that's how long they have been dragging their feet. <br>
<br>
So far 41 universities are in the process of divesting from fossil
fuels so how hard can it be? I am so proud of my former
university, Newcastle, they have fully divested from fossil fuels.
I am very ashamed of Durham University, and I said so. <br>
<br>
To be blunt, and this is my assessment of the meeting, simply,
allegedly this is all about BP's research money, this is what is
holding back divestment.<br>
<br>
I am not surprised be any of it, I came out of the meeting holding
back the tears, it felt like death by global warming, if you get
my drift. Everything about the meeting was predictable. <br>
<br>
I went to the Jumping Bean to console myself, It was as much as I
could do to keep the tears from falling into my soup. I had to
wrap up my lovely vegan chocolate cake in my snot ridden napkin
because I had no appetite.<br>
<br>
I can't tell you how many times I have sworn today after I came
out of that meeting, it was that bad for divestment. The
consultation is going to last a year, and probably longer!<br>
<br>
This is positive, so far the consultation have received 600 emails
that have answered the 2 question; and they are all going to be
read thoroughly, “and will undergo a thorough qualitative and
quantitative analysis in January 2017.” A report will be
forthcoming in March 2017. <br>
<br>
I thank Dr Amanda Ellison and Kate Deeming, and Katie for hosting
the meeting.<br>
<br>
Pleasant dreams and best wishes<br>
<br>
Susan<br>
<br>
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