GW Biology No Fossil Fuel Money Resolution
WHEREAS, The Department of Biological Sciences plays an important role at the George Washington University to educate students and conduct research in ecological and environmental issues in light of the severe implications of the ongoing climate crisis;
WHEREAS, Oil and gas companies publicize their partnerships with prestigious universities1 to give credibility to false claims that they support an energy transition in line with the Paris Agreement2;
WHEREAS, Numerous studies show that even when funding is disclosed, industry-funded research consistently yields conclusions that are biased toward industry interests, therefore threatening the integrity of academic freedom;3,4,5
WHEREAS, The potential for fossil fuel industry funding at the Biological Sciences Department to contribute to the industry’s obstruction of climate mitigation action poses an irreconcilable conflict of interest;
WHEREAS, The Biological Sciences Department recognizes that the threats posed by funding from certain industries can only be adequately addressed through the outright rejection of funding;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES OF THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Will not accept funding from fossil fuel companies blocking a just energy transition. This “no fossil fuel money” pledge is extensive to all faculty, (including special service or adjunct faculty), postdocs, or graduate students in the Department of Biological Sciences. Major funders include, but are not limited to, ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Chevron, and the top ten funders of the Climate Change Counter Movement.6, 7 Adopted by the Biological Sciences Faculty on February 16, 2024
Access the full resolution document (PDF).
1 https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/mar/27/fossil-fuel-firms-us-universities-colonize-academia
2https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement
3https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6187765/
4https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9605902/
5https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1179/2049396714Y.0000000103?journalCode=yjoh20
6https://nofossilfuelmoney.org/company-list/
7https://www.cssn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Brulle2021_Article_ObstructingActionFoundationFun.pdf