Protesters gathered outside Travelers Insurance’s headquarters in Hartford, Connecticut, to demand the company sever ties with oil and gas companies. The demonstration coincided with Travelers’ annual general meeting, where shareholder advocacy group As You Sow raised concerns about the company’s continued work with industries contributing to climate change.
The protesters argued that insurance support for new polluting projects should be halted to prevent environmental damage. Helen Humphries, a protester, highlighted the health impacts of air and groundwater pollution caused by the oil and gas industry, stating, “There’s these massive communities that are being infected by air pollution and groundwater pollution and all of that kind of stuff.” Humphries noted that some insurers are beginning to recognize the financial and moral risks associated with backing such industries.
Recent victories, such as Chubb Insurance divesting from liquefied natural gas projects, have bolstered the protesters’ efforts. The link between the oil and gas industry and increasingly destructive weather patterns is becoming more apparent, making it a poor investment vehicle. Moreover, investments in clean companies are outpacing their oil and gas counterparts, suggesting that the fossil fuel industry is operating on borrowed time.
Humphries remains optimistic about the progress being made, particularly in America’s insurance capital. She emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices of frontline communities affected by pollution, stating, “Having the frontline communities at these type of rallies or having their voices heard, I think is one of the most powerful things that we can do.”
