ASP Press Conference: Effective Measures for Tackling Climate Change: An Analysis of the Divestment Movement
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
The American Security Project published a report on Thursday, February 12, entitled “Effective Measures for Tackling Climate Change: An Analysis of the Divestment Movement” at the National Press Club. Members from the media, US Government and advocacy groups were in attendance.
The report was presented by ASP’s Director of Strategy and Communications Paul Hamill and ASP’s Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate Andrew Holland.
The report highlights the overall ineffectiveness of divestment as a way to fight climate change, instead calling for investment in innovative strategies to better combat the issue. Some potential solutions include carbon pricing and US Government investments in, and campaigns for, alternative and renewable energy sources. ASP maintains that climate change is a real and direct threat to our national security. Its effects act as an “accelerant of instability” and a “threat multiplier,” contributing to natural disasters and compromising our Homeland Security.
Andrew Holland
Holland spoke on the need to examine alternatives to fossil fuel divestment, stating that “the objectives are not wrong, but the tactics are not effective.” He went on to discuss the benefits of investing rather than divesting:
“Over the next 30 years, the energy sector in the world is going to invest $70 trillion in energy, and there will be a choice about how that investment is going to be made. If you believe those investments should be made in a low or zero-carbon way, your voice has to be heard, and one of the best ways for your voice to be heard is to be an investor and raising your voice within the company.”
Paul Hamill
Hamill concluded:
“The effectiveness of the divestment campaign does not help to tackle our national security threats of climate change.”
For a summary of ASP’s report on Climate Change and Divestment, please click here.
