The Green Beat: EEAC Launches Reinvestment Campaign

by Angelica DeSimio

In December of last year, Earlham Environmental Action Coalition (EEAC) was approached by Mary Schellentrager, the Coal Divestment Organizer for the Energy Action Coalition (EAC) which is based in Washington, D.C. Since 2005, this national coalition has been uniting young people across the country and working towards a clean and sustainable energy future through collaborative campaigns. Earlham College was selected, along with two other college campuses in the United States, to work in collaboration with EAC in divesting from companies that support the extraction and burning of coal for energy.

From thousands of other colleges and universities, our school stands out. Our Quaker values found in Principles and Practices are highly unique and valued not only on the property between National Road West and College Avenue, but coast to coast and beyond. One of the Quaker values is social responsibility, which certainly includes environmentally responsible investments.

After conducting some of our own research, EEAC discovered that our institution is currently invested in 12 of the “Filthy 15” electric and coal mining companies. Not only is the coalition concerned that Earlham is investing in companies that do not uphold Principles and Practices, but that our involvement in these 12 companies means further placing ourselves and our environment in danger.

It’s time for some cold, hard facts. According to www.greenenergyhelpfiles.com, coal [when burned] emits more carbon per unit of energy than oil, and 80 percent more than natural gas. This accounts for 43 percent of global emissions. Those who mine coal are faced with black lung disease as well as imminent and fatal lung cave-ins. For those communities living near coal processing plants, respiratory diseases, asthma and premature deaths are common. Additionally, mountaintop removal is becoming more commonplace. Excess rock and soil blasted from their original locations are chock-full of toxic mining byproducts that are dumped into valleys and streams. This effectively pollutes the land and water, creating health hazards for the larger region. Environmental activist Terri Blanton refers to the “death march of coal” rather than its “life cycle” because “coal causes death at every step of its journey” and it’s time to do something about it.

This past week under the campaign title of REinvestment (Responsible Energy investment), Earlham student environmental activists have been asking their peers if they know where their tuition money is being invested.  Students have had the opportunity to learn about coal and mountaintop removal and come to terms with Earlham’s investments. One activity allowed students to take imitation money with their name on it and move it from a mock coal plant to a mock wind turbine. A banner depicted the “death march of coal,” as it makes its way from the ground to the atmosphere. This activism has allowed students to realize the importance of this timely issue and the opportunity to get involved with the movement.

EEAC has been diligently working to organize a divestment campaign in hopes of divesting from the 12 of the “Filthy 15” coal mining and electric companies with whom we are currently affiliated. We hope to reinvest in clean and sustainable energy companies that not only support, for example, wind and solar energy, but also Quaker beliefs.

Earlham College is at the forefront of coal divestment. With the help and support of the Earlham community, we can be the first college in the nation to boast divestment from coal on ethical grounds.

To learn more about this movement visit http://www.energyactioncoalition.org. If you would like to get involved with the REinvestment campaign or environmental sustainability at Earlham, EEAC meets every Thursday at 9 p.m. in Gurney House (326 College Avenue, behind Admissions).