Five lessons from the fossil fuel divestment movement
1. You don’t need to be an expert to get involved: “This is not just for students – everybody lives in a local authority and can get involved,”
2. First give yourself legitimacy: “I wasn’t expecting to be swept up in the biggest divestment movement in history – but the snowball is unstoppable”
3. Put your ego aside: “Most of the things we enjoy today – freedom of speech, freedom of assembly – were brought about by people who wouldn’t see these changes in their lifetimes. We owe it to them to fight for values, not egos and awards.”
4. Plan for reinvestment: “We’re at a crucial point – we need to think carefully about what we want to reinvest in”
5. Have hope – and keep going: “It’s not the Road to Paris, it’s the Path through Paris”
Some of the hundreds of divestment campaigners who gathered in London at the weekend share what the day – and the movement – has taught them. Read the full piece in The Guardian.