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UM Students Demand Fossil Fuel Divestment

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2026/ .. 9/um-students-demand-fossil-fuel-divestment.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, February 9th 2026 at 11:29 GMT by The Center Square
      Locales: Florida, Iowa, Illinois, UNITED STATES

MIAMI - February 9th, 2026 - The University of Miami is facing increasing pressure from student activists to fully divest its substantial endowment from fossil fuel investments. Save States, a prominent student organization leading the charge, argues that the university's continued financial ties to the fossil fuel industry directly contradict its publicly stated commitment to sustainability and responsible environmental stewardship.

The campaign, which began gaining significant traction in late 2025, is escalating with a planned week of protests and direct appeals to the university's Board of Trustees. Save States believes that the university's $1.2 billion endowment - a figure revised upwards following recent financial disclosures - presents a powerful opportunity to demonstrate genuine leadership on climate change. They contend that retaining investments in coal, oil, and gas not only harms the environment but also poses increasingly significant financial risks as the world transitions towards a cleaner energy economy.

"The University of Miami prides itself on being a leader in research and innovation, particularly in marine science and environmental studies," explains Anya Sharma, a spokesperson for Save States. "Yet, behind the scenes, our tuition dollars and the university's endowment are actively funding the very industries that threaten the ecosystems our researchers are working so hard to understand and protect. It's a blatant hypocrisy."

The group's week of action, dubbed "Fossil Free UM," includes a series of educational workshops, film screenings, and informational tables set up across campus. These events aim to raise awareness among the student body and faculty about the environmental and financial arguments for divestment. Notably, the organization has partnered with the university's Economics Department to present data showcasing the diminishing returns of fossil fuel investments given the rise of renewable energy sources and the increasing implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms globally.

The call for divestment isn't new. Several universities across the nation - including Stanford, Harvard, and Yale - have faced similar campaigns over the past decade. While some have adopted partial divestment policies or committed to socially responsible investing, full divestment remains a contentious issue. Many universities argue that complete divestment could negatively impact the endowment's financial performance, limiting their ability to fund scholarships, research, and other critical programs. However, a recent study conducted by the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford University suggests that divesting from fossil fuels doesn't necessarily equate to financial detriment, and can, in some cases, enhance long-term portfolio performance.

The University of Miami has already taken some initial steps toward sustainability, including implementing energy efficiency measures on campus, investing in renewable energy for its facilities, and offering courses focused on environmental science and policy. The university's Sustainability Committee released a report last year outlining ambitious goals for carbon neutrality by 2040. However, Save States argues that these efforts are insufficient without addressing the fundamental issue of fossil fuel investments.

"These are positive steps, but they're essentially rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic," Sharma asserts. "We need systemic change, and that starts with aligning our financial resources with our stated values. A commitment to true sustainability requires removing the financial oxygen from the industries driving the climate crisis."

The climax of the week of action will be a rally coinciding with the Board of Trustees meeting this Friday. Save States plans to present a comprehensive report detailing the university's fossil fuel holdings, the environmental impact of those investments, and a viable plan for phased divestment. The group hopes to secure a meeting with members of the Board to directly address their concerns and advocate for a firm commitment to fossil fuel divestment. They are also encouraging alumni and community members to contact the Board and voice their support. The University administration has acknowledged receiving Save States' requests and indicated a willingness to engage in a dialogue, though they have not yet committed to any specific action. The situation remains fluid, and the outcome of this week's protests could have significant implications for the University of Miami's environmental reputation and its role in addressing the global climate crisis.