Jane McCarthy, 74, has withheld council tax payments for three years to protest Buckinghamshire council's fossil fuel investments. Fearing the climate impact on future generations, especially after learning about climate tipping points, she feels the urgency of action. McCarthy, who has terminal cancer, sees her protest as a matter of principle, objecting to funds used recklessly against her children's future. Recently, a court order threatened her home, escalating the stress of her conscientious objection against fossil fuels, which contribute to wars and the climate crisis. Campaigners are advocating for changes in pension fund management to account for climate risks.
I really object having to hand money over knowing that it's going to be used in ways that are reckless, that are damaging my children's chances of a livable future, let alone my grandchildren.
It has been very stressful but for me it was a matter of conscience and also as a matter of conscientious objection, because fossil fuels are the cause of so much war as well as driving the climate crisis.
UK pensions invest about 88bn in fossil fuels, which campaigners warn is helping drive the climate breakdown.
Experts also say such investments put pension savings at risk because those investments will either become stranded if countries meet their emissions targets, or runaway climate breakdown will wreak havoc with the global economy and wipe out any potential returns.
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