Last Thursday, the University of Toronto (U of T) released a statement outlining their decision to begin the process of divesting university assets from companies linked to the fossil fuel industry. This decision comes in light of the recent news that Meric Gertler, the President of U of T, has obtained ownership of several companies in the renewable energy industry.

After nearly 6 years of advocacy and protests, students are relieved to hear the news. “I’m really happy to hear that we’ve finally taken this step. We’re now one step closer to mild global catastrophe and partial societal collapse rather than total global and societal destruction,” says Rachel Carson, a 4th-year biology student.

However, other students were less impressed. Following the University’s statement, a Facebook event was organized titled, “Down with Divestment”. The organizer of the event, a 3rd-year political science student named Fred Singer, had a few words to say. “If the university earns less from their investments, then we the students just end up paying more. It’s basic trickle-down economics,” he scoffed. Fred stood outside Simcoe Hall protesting for nearly two hours before he realized he had forgotten to turn off his space heater at home.