I thought the last letter to the editor disparaging the actions taken by students at the Back2Bellingham event trying to raise awareness for the divestment campaign was rife with contradiction. The author did not agree with the Students for Renewable Energy and their president’s take on Western's support of the fossil fuel industry and he challenged them to "check their privilege." I think the author needs to as well. Living in the region least impacted by the effects of climate change and the results of the continued use of fossil fuels makes it awfully easy to criticize students who are taking brave stances against institutions that pose such threats to the future of our planet. The arguments provided seemed to assume that the easiest means of investment equated to the proper means of investing. When the president of a university is evaluated by how they maintain the status quo and not by the vision they have for the future, it means that easy, short-sighted economic decisions will continue. Multiple banks around the world have divested now, and it is becoming increasingly clear that it is an outdated and dangerous industry to trust our money and our future in.
