Earth Day: Divestment from fossil fuels, a selection of 31 religious organizations from Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and France

“As fossil fuel companies continue to warm the Earth, invest less in renewable energy and scoop up new oil and gas in defiance of scientific warnings, 31 religious organizations from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Italy and France have joined in a global divestment announcement. Today, they no longer “Declaring that they will no longer rely on fossil fuels, their savings will be permanently unavailable to fossil fuel companies. Today’s announcement of divestitures by religious organizations represents more than $2 billion in assets under management.” This can be read in the press release issued today. Seven Church of England dioceses, including the Diocese of London, are religious institutions joining the global withdrawal notice; six Church of England cathedrals, including Canterbury Cathedral; two Catholic dioceses (Northampton in England and Catania in Italy); Three Catholic religious orders, including the International Carmelite Order; Two local churches in England; Eight Catholic Charities and Societies, the Italian Association of Catholic Scouts and Guides (Agesci); A Catholic Church in Canada; Anglican Diocese of Newcastle in Australia; A Jewish institution. In Italy, among the seven religious truths that have observed this declaration of disengagement, there are two historical youth organizations, Agesci and Gioc – Christian Worker Youth, “as evidence of the urgency to act for climate and environmental justice required from the world. Youth”.