Here in the U.S., climate activists disrupted a talk packed with executives at the Insurance Leadership Forum in Colorado Springs Tuesday to demand companies stop insuring and investing in fossil fuel expansion.
Protester: “Hello, insurance executives. We are here today to call out the contributions that you’re making, specifically Liberty Mutual, Chubb” —
Bob Klonk: “I had a whole opening line set up here. I had some good lines.”
Protester: — “the Hartford and Travelers” —
Bob Klonk: “Hey, yeah, I don’t really care. Let’s go.”
Protester: — “for your continuing expansion” —
Bob Klonk: “Let’s go!”
Protester: — “of fossil fuels” —
Bob Klonk: “Not on the program.”
Protester: — “including methane gas.”
Earlier this week, protesters with Rainforest Action Network and 350 Colorado gathered in front of another event at the insurance forum, demanding companies like Chubb, Travelers and Liberty Mutual insure communities instead of fossil fuels. A growing number of homeowners are not able to afford insurance as the cost of coverage goes up and major companies have started pulling out of states that are at high risk of wildfires, flooding and storms. A recent report found 39 million homes are at risk of losing their insurance due to the climate crisis.