Why We Chose the Board of Pensions’ Fossil Free Investment Option

By Laurie Fisher, Fossil Free PCUSA Steering Committee memberMy husband Don is a recently retired pastor in the PCUSA. Over the years we have greatly appreciated the care the Board of Pensions has shown us. Over the past few years we have become increasingly concerned about and involved in addressing climate change. When we became aware that CO2 emissions are causing our planet to warm at an alarming rate, we did not want to benefit financially from this attack on God’s good creation. Also, how could we call on the PCUSA to divest if we weren’t willing to do so ourselves? Needless to say, we were thrilled to hear about the new (as of January, 2017) Board of Pensions 403(B) Retirement Savings Account option to move money into investments that are free of fossil fuel holdings.The divestment movement is growing worldwide. It is changing the conversation about how we humans care for and seek to preserve the only home we have. For those who are already experiencing life as climate refugees, and for the millions more to come, we seek to minimize as much as possible the use of fossil fuels for energy production. We seek a dramatic increase in renewable forms of energy and look forward to the creation of many thousands of new jobs that will result.Here’s how you can make an important change:

“Retirement Savings Plan participants will have the ability to contribute to the Pax Global Environmental Markets Fund Institutional Class (PGINX) starting January 3, 2017. At that time, you may change your investment options by logging on to www.fidelity.com/atwork or calling Fidelity at (800) 343-0860 (Reference Plan # 57887). If you have any questions, please contact us through Benefits Connect or call the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).”