The climate advocates who say Harvard’s oil divestment is a mistake

As the university sheds its fossil fuel investments, some argue it's dangerous to limit leverage over oil and gas companies

Even as climate activists celebrated Harvard University's promise to cleanse its multibillion-dollar investment fund of holdings in fossil fuel companies last week, others dedicated to the fight against the climate crisis wondered if the real winner was the oil industry.

Harvard bowed to pressure from students and advocacy groups who likened their campaign to the push to divest from apartheid South Africa in the 1980s. The group, Fossil Fuel Divest Harvard, described the decision as a massive victory" and proof that activism works, plain and simple".