Why a nuanced approach has more value than a blanket divestment policy.
Through his articles and activism, Bill McKibben communicates the planetary implications of unconstrained carbon emissions compellingly and to a broad audience. But his 350.org campaign to divest from fossil fuel producers oversimplifies the issue in order to provide a clear narrative for political activism. For those seeking a sensible investment strategy rather than a political platform, a more nuanced approach wouldn’t leap to and stop at immediate, indiscriminate divestment. Instead, it would pursue a practical transition to a low carbon economy over a manageable time horizon. And it would recognize that climate change carries challenges for all manners of businesses, not just fossil fuel companies.
