Microsoft Word - AAS Letter.docx

The document is a letter from Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) to the CEO of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). SGR expresses concerns regarding the AAS's lack of transparency in investments, potential financial ties to the arms and fossil fuel industries, and the absence of a formal environmental policy. The letter demands a series of actions, including the disclosure of investments over $5,000, a phase-out of ties to companies not aligned with the 2C Paris Agreement goal, and the adoption of fossil-fuel-free indexes. SGR cites examples of other professional bodies and universities in the US and UK that have already divested from fossil fuels and arms to highlight the shift in expectations for climate governance.

• SGR identifies four primary concerns regarding the American Astronomical Society's current record: a lack of investment transparency, potential financial links to the arms and fossil fuel sectors, the absence of an environmental policy, and policies that are lax compared to peer professional organizations.
• SGR calls on the AAS to implement several specific financial and policy reforms, including disclosing investments exceeding $5,000, phasing out ties to companies not aligned with the 2C Paris Agreement goal, and redirecting funds toward renewable energy, energy storage, and energy conservation.
• The letter highlights a trend of divestment from fossil fuels and arms among other scientific and academic institutions, noting that the American Geophysical Union is divesting, 87 universities in the UK have divested, and several US institutions including Harvard University, Boston University, and the University of California have done the same.

APA

Scientists for Global Responsibility (2022). Microsoft Word - AAS Letter.docx. https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-05/Letter_to_AAS.pdf

Chicago

Scientists for Global Responsibility. Microsoft Word - AAS Letter.docx. 2022. https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-05/Letter_to_AAS.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Scientists for Global Responsibility |title=Microsoft Word - AAS Letter.docx |date=10 March 2022 |url=https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-05/Letter_to_AAS.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{scientistsforglobalresponsibility2022microsoft, author = {{Scientists for Global Responsibility}}, title = {{Microsoft Word - AAS Letter.docx}}, publisher = {Scientists for Global Responsibility}, year = {2022}, month = mar, url = {https://www.sgr.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-05/Letter_to_AAS.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }