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NC State’s oily investments threaten our future
Opinion
NC State’s oily investments threaten our future
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Institutional divestment from fossil fuels is gaining momentum among college campuses. Universities like UNCAsheville and the University of Massachusetts are two examples of colleges that are actively working on divesting their endowment funds or have succeeded in withdrawing financial support of dirty fuels, respectively.
At NC State, the Climate Reality Project is leading a campaign to urge our administration to divest from the fossil fuel industry. While it once seemed prudent to invest in fossil fuels, now that we know the true cost of these investments, it is clear we must change.
According to the publicly available information on NC State’s investment fund, NC State invests about 6 percent of our $1.6 billion endowment in the “Energy & Natural Resources” sector. This percentage represents nearly $10 million of annual destruction of our natural habitat and threatens the air and water safety of countless North Carolinians.
The Climate Reality Project here on campus has gained over 1,000 student signatures opposing investment in dirty fuels, met with the Chancellor, gained an endorsement from the student body president and created a research team to search for solutions.
We are looking for the administration to make a commitment towards a better future through more thoughtful investing. When we meet this divestment goal, it will be easier for other universities to follow and collectively, that impact can revolutionize the future.
Fiduciary responsibility is often used by university administrators as an excuse not to divest. Fiduciary responsibility is a legal obligation that binds investment institutions to make decisions that are for the benefit of their client. For the managers of the NC State Investment Fund, it is their responsibility to do what is best for the students and future students at our institution. It is a matter of putting our best interests first.
However, it is hard to use fiduciary responsibility to justify investing in fossil
fuels, since according to publicly available information on NC State’s Investment Fund, environmentally responsible investments have been outperforming the endowment. Furthermore, fossil fuels are contributing to the destruction Amanda of our planet, where students will be McCloskey expected to work and thrive. Guest Columnist It is widely acknowledged by the scientific community that climate change will cause significant disruptions in human migration, resource availability and the global economy. NC State’s investment decisions are, at present, exacerbating the dangers we will face in our future. Furthermore, it is essential that our financial actions are in line with our mission statement: “NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world.” Investing in sustainable energy sources is one way to contribute to social, economic and technological development, particularly as North Carolina boasts a robust renewable energy industry, according to the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. Socially, we can use our status as a leader among public institutions to make it easier for others to follow. Economically, the oil industry is in decline, having lost global share in the electricity mix 15 years in a row to cleaner options, according to the International Energy Association (IEA). The IEA also predicts that renewables will outperform oil, gas and coal in electricity generation as soon as 2030. Given the scope of the climate crisis, it is time we speak with our money as well as our actions. We have the ability and the obligation to show those in the fossil fuel industry where our priorities lie. This is a cause that impacts all of us on and off campus, we must outgrow the old dialogue and habits of our past generations. It is time we speak for ourselves.
Amanda McCloskey is a sophomore studying business administration with an HR concentration and a member of the Climate Reality Project at NC State.
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PAGE 5 • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2018
Opinion
Escaping social media, not escapism, is the key to time management
How often have you messed up with your assignment deadlines? How often did you have time on your hands, but wasted it only to have to manage a crisis later? Most importantly, how many times have you thought of being a better time manager in the future, only to realize that wasting time and then managing a crisis is a vicious cycle?
We often try to escape from doing what we should do when we should do it, and then crib about how life is so busy but mundane. But what are the causes of this escapist tendency?
In my peer group, I find very few people who can manage their time well and approach things meticulously (myself included). Most of us end up being at the whim of our desires and end up wasting crucial time when we have it, only to regret it later. In such a situation, either a student compromises on their health or compromises on the quality of their work.
Many students complain they don’t have time for leisure or some passion not directly related to the degree they are pursuing. In my opinion, it is the mismanagement — not the lack of availability — of time, that leads to such escapist tendencies which ultimately cause frustration and anxiety.
One problem, which I think all the youngsters of my generation face, is our fascination with social media, and the numerous social media platforms available to whittle away time. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are some examples. Some might find it hard to believe, but one study shows that teens spend nine hours every day consuming media. That is almost 38 percent of one day.
The temptations are often too hard to resist: you can see pictures of your favorite celebs on Instagram or follow their tweets. The advantage of social media is
that for many people, it is a form of social expression of their feelings and desires. But surely, the time spent on these things can be reduced? More importantly, it is not only the time one wastes on these platforms, but Paritosh Gaiwak Staff Columnist the distraction it causes over a much longer period. You are watching a video and keep thinking about it even when you are done watching it, which hinders your ability to concentrate on more important stuff. Social media has infiltrated our lives so deeply that it is impossible to control its usage, even if for our own good, simply from someone else telling you to do so. The answer, then, is self-discipline. However, if it was so easy, we would not have this problem. Self-discipline requires a tremendous amount of dedication and willpower. But it is also not as difficult as it looks. Applications like Space, App Detox and Off the Grid allow you to track screen “Some might find it hard time, usage of social media apps to believe, but one study and even block you from using your shows that teens spend phone when you shouldn’t be. nine hours every day One way to imconsuming media. That prove focus and thus reduce wastis almost 38 percent of age of time, which ultimately reduces one day.” escapist tendencies, is through meditating. Meditation is an ancient art and has multiple health advantages, according to the National Institutes of Health and Harvard. It does not require much exercise, but it requires consistency. Not only does it increase focus and calmness, but if done properly, it can improve the quality of sleep too. There are many techniques for mediation, so anyone can find one that suits them. I am a practitioner of meditation and can vouch for its positive impact. As students, we are wasting a lot of time on things which are essentially distractions to our career path. These distractions lead to escapist tendencies and ultimately cause anxiety. We need to build our discipline to combat these trends, which will definitely prove to be beneficial in the long run.
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PAGE 6 • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2018
Thoughts from our readers:
A selection of comments sent to us from readers in short form over the past week, with their sources listed below.
As Seen Around Campus
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PAGE 8 • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2018
NICK FAULKNER/TECHNICIAN Head coach Dave Doeren gets the team hyped up before taking the field. The Wolfpack dominated Louisville 52-10 on Saturday, Nov. 17 in Cardinal Stadium.
KAYDEE GAWLIK/TECHNICIAN Junior wide receiver Kelvin Harmon hauls in a pass on Saturday, Nov. 17 at Cardinal Stadium. The Wolfpack beat Louisville 52-10.
As Seen Around Campus
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PAGE 9 • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2018
The NC State defense lines up against the Louisville offense on Saturday, Nov. 17 at Cardinal Stadium. The Wolfpack won 52-10.
KAYDEE GAWLIK/TECHNICIAN
KAYDEE GAWLIK/TECHNICIAN Freshman running back Ricky Person Jr. runs into multiple Louisville defenders on Saturday, Nov. 17 at Cardinal Stadium. The Wolfpack won 52-10.
NICK FAULKNER/TECHNICIAN Freshman kicker Christopher Dunn goes for an extra point during the 52-10 rout of Louisville on Saturday, Nov. 17 in Cardinal Stadium.
NICK FAULKNER/TECHNICIAN The team takes time to high five fans after the 52-10 rout of Louisville on Saturday, Nov. 17 in Cardinal Stadium.
NICK FAULKNER/TECHNICIAN Junior wide receiver Kelvin Harmon goes up for the catch. Harmon had seven receptions for 100 yards during the 52-10 rout of Louisville on Saturday.
NICK FAULKNER/TECHNICIAN Freshman nickleback Tanner Ingle pulls down a player by the jersey as graduate linebacker Germaine Pratt comes in for the tackle. Ingle and Pratt both led the team with seven total tackles.
