WHAT OUR CLASSMATES HAVE TO SAY ABOUT OUR CLASS GIFT

From Jean Keppel:  I hope we collectively can make a big difference in the college's drive to become carbon-neutral…. … I've been searching all year for ways to "push back" against the destructive rhetoric and actions in Washington... This proposal clearly pushes back against the misguided decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement.  I love the Earth and am proud to be part of a grassroots action in the direction of good stewardship of our planet.

Steve Morse writes:  This proposal on climate change got the highest vote count among the three proposals that the class members voted on.  I think it reflects the importance of the climate change issue, and its importance in the minds of our Swa’t classmates. So much is happening – the disaster of Puerto Rico, the fires in Northern California… a shift in direction needs to happen much sooner than is occurring.  I agree completely on the vital importance of addressing climate change.  I must say also that I have come to this pretty recently.  I have worked a lot around other social issues, especially war and militarism (which are themselves huge contributors to climate change), and I am, later than many, trying to address this issue. …one type of action that an institution can take around climate change is to deal with its own carbon footprint, which S’more seems to be doing in a commendable way.  

Janet Cooper Alexander has this to say: For me what distinguishes this proposal is that the College's concrete and public commitment to the issue of climate change is especially important at this moment, when we are fast approaching the point of no return and when our national government has defected to the other side, and that our gift would have lasting effect both at the College and on a national level for decades… I very much like the idea of a class gift that is singularly important in 2018, that furthers the socially conscious spirit of our generation, and that looks to the future in a concrete way that is both specific to Swarthmore and conscious of broader communities and global concerns.

Marc Sonnenfeld says:  This proposal would align our gift with the priorities of the College on a timely and important issue.

David Singleton weighs in:  It's clear that our federal government is out of the Paris Accords and similar undertakings at least until 2021 so it's critical that leadership come from individuals and institutions like Swarthmore.  The College has mounted a very credible sustainability program and taken a national leadership position on carbon pricing, but obviously there's much more to be done.  This gift would enable our class to take a leadership position in accelerating the College's efforts.

Susan Gelletly’s thoughts:  Many of us believe that climate protection is of utmost importance.  We also see that efforts to eliminate or reduce global warming are under attack from certain corporate and government entities.  This is an opportunity to coordinate our efforts for community education and advocacy -- locally, nationally, and globally. 

Nancy Bennett adds:  Swarthmore just this past year is now charging each department for its carbon use.  Each department was charged a percentage of their total budget but in coming years will have to justify their own specific carbon charge.  The funds will go to the Sustainability Department to support student involvement in climate issues, to fund infrastructure changes that reduce carbon emissions, and any other initiatives they have toward attaining carbon neutrality. The charge takes into account the building use and infrastructure but also the activities of the department including their use of cars and air travel.   That institutions can charge themselves a carbon charge made me realize that I could charge myself a carbon charge and donate that amount of money to upgrading my own heating, lighting, etc. and/or supporting organizations that work toward climate action.   If you haven’t seen Al Gore’s movie, I urge you to do so.  It is both scary as hell and immensely hopeful in that when a developing nation takes hold of sustainable energy production, their conversion to sustainability can be exponential.  Which means that if ever we catch on, the change can be exponential. So not only am I hopeful, I am convinced that this issue outweighs all others for urgency.  Climate change falls disproportionately on the poor and on developing nations and communities in low lying areas - Miami, Houston, all the islands and shores in the Pacific rim.  So climate action is action for social justice as well.  But in addition, the earth's atmosphere is heating up and without significant action is likely to continue that pace of heating up for some time.  The time to act like our hair is on fire is actually now.   It has taken some time to get back to you, but I want to congratulate you, given that your proposal on climate change got the highest vote count among the three proposals that the class members voted on.  I think it reflects the importance of the climate change issue, and its importance in the minds of our Swat classmates. Since you wrote this, much has happened in the world, including disaster in Puerto Rico mostly ignored by the Trump regime.  Even though I am 50 miles or more from any of the Northern California fires, the smoke here in Oakland was such that we were advised to stay inside today.  I had to stop the work I was doing outside almost as soon as I started.  Today is considered the worst air day ever here, and of course the air is much worse near the fire zones.   So much is happening – the disaster of Puerto Rico, the fires in Northern California - , and a shift in direction needs to happen much sooner than is occurring.  I agree … completely on the vital importance of addressing climate change.  I must say also that I have come to this pretty recently.  I have worked a lot around other social issues, especially war and militarism (which are themselves huge contributors to climate change), and I am, later than many, trying to address this issue. What you write below, and in your proposal concerns one of at least two types of action that an institution can take around climate change - one is to deal with its own carbon footprint, which S’more seems to be doing in a commendable way.  Another type is divestment of their money from fossil fuels.  This has been a significant student demand at Swat for a few years by Swarthmore Mountain Justice https://swatmj.org/   Do read their Fossil Fuel Divestment 101  on their website.  What I have heard from them is impressive.  The College rejected divestment in the face of committed and thoughtful organizing on the part of these students.   So while the College made a commitment to altering its carbon footprint, it is rejecting taking any action around public policy/ divestment.