FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2019, file photo, young people attend a protest of the Fridays For Future movement in Berlin, Germany. Ten cities around the world on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, joined New York and London in committing to divest from fossil fuel companies as part of efforts to combat climate change. Berlin, Cape Town, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Oslo and others pledged to take 'all possible steps to divest city assets from fossil fuel companies and (increase) financial investments in climate solutions.' (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
The Associated Press
BERLIN (AP) - Ten cities around the world on Tuesday joined New York and London in committing to divest from fossil fuel companies as part of efforts to combat climate change.
Berlin, Cape Town, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Oslo and others pledged to take 'œall possible steps to divest city assets from fossil fuel companies and (increase) financial investments in climate solutions.'ť
The cities that have a total of 36 million residents - which also include Bristol, Durban, Milan, Pittsburgh and Vancouver - said they will ensure that pension funds and other public money will be invested in 'œa green and just recovery from COVID-19."
Environmental campaigners and top officials such as U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have warned that trillions being spent by governments to stimulate pandemic-wracked economies should not be used to subsidize fossil fuel companies, which could jeopardize efforts to tackle another global crisis: climate change.
Berlin Mayor Michael Mueller expressed hope that the cities' decision to pull out of 'œclimate-damaging and ethically problematic investment strategies'ť would send a political signal to other investors to do the same.
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In this April 24, 2020, file photo, activists place thousands of protest placards in front of the Reichstag building, home of the german federal parliament, Bundestag, during a protest rally of the "Fridays for Future" movement in Berlin, Germany. Ten cities around the world, including Berlin, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, joined New York and London in committing to divest from fossil fuel companies as part of efforts to combat climate change. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2020, file photo, people demonstrate during a Jane Fonda's Fire Drill Fridays rally, calling for action to address climate change at Los Angeles City Hall. Ten cities around the world on Tuesday, Sept, 22, 2020, have joined New York and London in committing to divest from fossil fuels companies as part of efforts to combat climate change. Cities including Berlin, Los Angeles and Oslo pledged to take 'all possible steps to divest city assets from fossil fuel companies and (increase) financial investments in climate solutions.' (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2020, file photo, two-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda, 82, third from right, with local activists, leads a Fire Drill Fridays rally, calling for action to address climate change in downtown Los Angeles. Ten cities around the world on Tuesday, Sept, 22, 2020, have joined New York and London in committing to divest from fossil fuels companies as part of efforts to combat climate change. Cities including Berlin, Los Angeles and Oslo pledged to take 'all possible steps to divest city assets from fossil fuel companies and (increase) financial investments in climate solutions.' (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
The Associated Press