It's Time for CalSTRS to Get Out of the Fossil Fuel Business

CalSTRS is using teachers' retirement savings to finance the fossil fuel industry.

The California State Teachers’ Retirement System provides over $15 billion to fossil fuel corporations that are building coal plants, oil pipelines and fracked gas wells—that’s more than any other public teachers’ pension in the country.

Since 2015, teachers, students, and allies have been building a powerful campaign to hold CalSTRS accountable for its complicity in the climate crisis.

OUR WORK

We’ve mobilized hundreds of teachers, students, and frontline community members to urge the CalSTRS Board to divest. Our CalSTRS Team has organized demonstrations across California, from art actions to massive marches. We’re using research and producing reports to make sure CalSTRS members know about their pension’s complicity in the climate crisis. We’re empowering teachers’ unions with the tools they need to demand divestment. We also support work led by Youth vs. Apocalypse and Youth Climate Strike Los Angeles to divest CalSTRS from fossil fuels.

JOIN TEACHERS WHO ARE SPEAKING OUT

Add your name to this petition to Chair McKinnor and Assembly Public Employee and Retirement Committee:

"We urge you to join California public school teachers, school staff, and students in taking a huge step to address the climate crisis by supporting SB 252."

Add Your Name

GETTING RESULTS

In 2015, we successfully passed two laws requiring CalSTRS to divest from thermal coal and disclose climate-related financial risks in their portfolio.

In 2019, State Treasurer Fiona Ma stood with teachers and students in calling for CalSTRS to divest from fossil fuels. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond also announced his support in 2021.

In 2021, after years of pressure, CalSTRS organized a symposium to hear from divestment advocates.

Today, many teachers unions and locals (including CFT) have passed divestment resolutions calling for CalSTRS to divest from fossil fuels. We’ve also submitted petitions to CalSTRS Board members signed by thousands of teachers and students, and have sent over 85,000 letters to CalSTRS Board members.

Now, we’re keeping the pressure on until CalSTRS stops funding the climate crisis once and for all.