WA’S second-smallest local government joined the fossil fuel divestment movement this week.

East Fremantle’s move to dump banks that invest in fossil fuels was prompted by a petition signed by about 750 residents, which organisers Peta Bowden and Dick Ounswort of 350.org believe is one of the biggest the council’s ever received.

“There is incredible strength of feeling in the community about climate change,” Ms Bowden told the Herald.

• Peta Bowden and Dick Ounswort. Photo by Trilokesh Chanmugam

The petition called on the council to pull its money out of Australia’s four big banks and invest with those which avoid dcompanies profiting from fossil fuels.

“Whilst the divestment of council’s investments (approx. $5million) from the banks which support fossil fuel activities may not have a significant financial impact, we feel it has much larger impact as a social statement in our beliefs towards climate change, and hope that it may encourage other local governments and businesses to follow suit,” mayor Jim O’Neill said.

by TRILOKESH CHANMUGAM