350.org Brisbane Workshop

General news5

Volunteers get ready to commence divestment campaign.

350.org trainer Charlie Wood, took a group of 20 volunteers through their paces at its first Brisbane Workshop on Saturday.

350.org stands for 350 parts per million, this figure is what the science says is the absolute limit for CO2 emissions in our atmosphere to avoid runaway climate change.

350.org Volunteers Brisbane Workshop
350.org Volunteers Brisbane Workshop

The aim of the Brisbane workshop was to equip volunteers with the resources to engage with their own banks, superannuation funds, universities, churches and other organisations about the need to challenge the fossil fuel industry and to invest in a more sustainable financial system.

350.org is seeking a global shift in investments to renewables from the current 3% to 5%.

Ms Woods said that while organisations may initially consider divesting of shares in fossil fuel companies to be risky, in reality the energy market is highly volatile. There are a number of studies she said from respected sources such as The World Bank and Goldman Sachs which conclude that energy stocks are overvalued and reinvestment in new and emerging industries can provide equal to greater returns. 

Further, she said, conversations with organisations about divestment can provide organisations with an opportunity to assess whether their values align with those of the companies they invest in.

Charlie Wood - 350.org
Charlie Wood – 350.org

According to 350.org, 300 campuses and 100 cities and states in the US and other countries have joined the campaign to divest from fossil fuel companies. The movement is still in the early days in Queensland, but the Brisbane group plans to step up its campaign over the coming months. 

A public forum is planned for late September for anyone interested in learning more about the evidence for climate change and divestment strategies. A panel of financial, health and climate experts will answer audience questions.

 

5 thoughts on “350.org Brisbane Workshop

  1. Kate

    18 August, 2013

    This looks like a really worthwhile thing to be doing – I notice these workshops are happening up and down the country and the case seems to be incredibly well researched, argued very reasonably, and very well presented. It gives me hope for the future that people are getting organised around this issue.

  2. Mark

    19 August, 2013

    Would like to know more about this organisation? Using market forces to influence energy companies seems pretty smart. Why are these companies overvalued?

    • Geoff Ebbs

      3 September, 2013

      The value of these companies is based on the amount of fossil fuel that they have in reserve.

      Those reserves are based on current and projected values.

      If the price of those fuels does not increase as expected (or the cost of realising that price does increase through trade tarrifs/taxes/emissions trading mechanisms) then the assets of the company are not as recorded on the balance sheet.

  3. Jarrod Armijo

    3 September, 2013

    Excellent site you have here but I was curious
    if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics talked about here?
    I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get comments from other experienced individuals that
    share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please
    let me know. Appreciate it!

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