It's two months today since over 700,000 participated in the historic People's Climate March, which to my way of thinking means the time is ripe for another magnificent display of activism.
This time, climate activists are calling on citizens to show solidarity with vulnerable communities most affected by dangerous climate impacts by participating in the December 1 Fast for the Climate. The one day fast occurs on the opening day of COP 20 in Lima. Already, Latin American and international NGOs from environmental, development and climate justice networks, a broad range of youth activists, negotiators from across negotiating blocks and other high-profile people in the UN climate talks have signed up to participate in this climate action.
Fast for The Climate launched when Filipino negotiator Yeb Sano began fasting during the
UN Climate Talks in Warsaw as
Typhoon Haiyan slammed into his country. Sano was joined in the fast by numerous supporters demanding delegates make "that crucial link between real climate devastation on the ground and the political inaction happening here at the UN." (
Graham Reeder, Taking it Global)
During the opening plenary, Sano told delegates:
To anyone who continues to deny the reality that is climate change, I dare you to get off your ivory tower and away from the comfort of you armchair. I dare you to go to the islands of the Pacific, the islands of the Caribbean and the islands of the Indian ocean and see the impacts of rising sea level…if that is not enough, you may want to pay a visit to the Philippines right now
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Sano announced his fast during his speech, in which he made a plea for significant and immediate contributions to the Green Climate Fund and officially incorporating in negotiation mechanisms the concept of loss and damage, defined as " the complete and irrecoverable loss of some things and the repairable damage of other things due to the impacts of human induced climate change." (Saleemul Huq for RTCC)
Sano's actions at COP19 are viewed by many as instrumental in the establishment of the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) on Loss and Damage.
Since Warsaw, fasters from youth groups, environmentalists and faith communities have opted to fast on the first day of each month in solidarity with communities most threatened by the impacts of the climate crisis.
"Already, millions of people have lost their homes and their livelihoods as a result of climate change. Yet government action remains profoundly inadequate and is failing to secure the benefits a clean energy would deliver for people and the planet. The world's biggest climate fast at COP20 in Lima will remind these governments of their responsibility." (from Fast For the Climate)
How To Fast
The concept of fasting means doing without something voluntarily, and while Fast For the Climate, predominantly focuses on food, the group empasises "there is no right or wrong way to do it. Some people are skipping a meal together once a month. Some people are fasting from carbon consumption and production. Some people are fasting from food waste."
What fasters are saying:
“It’s a rich personal experience, it gives a sense of revival, and cleansing, and joyfulness.”
“To bring climate change under control we need to exercise self-control, we need to act together, fasting enhances our focus and determination.”
“I feel physically in solidarity with people who are affected by climate change when I fast, it gives us a glimpse of the reality for millions, a feeling of connection and urgency.”
I'm Fasting for the Climate on December 1. Join me.
Sign up here and use social media tools to spread the message and recruit more fasters!
Twitter Hashtag: #fastfortheclimate.
Follow the fast on Twitter
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The Climate Action Hub
Building upon the momentum generated by the People's Climate March, The Climate Action Hub focuses the energy and ideas that converged around the 2014 UN Climate Summit to engage civil participation in local, regional and global climate action. The Hub showcases NGOs, eco writers, scientists, bloggers and YOU in a group mission to amplify messaging and promote action on such issues as climate justice, sustainable development and clean energy. It will also serve as a forum for educating and informing the wider public and expand the civil movement to ensure success at the 2015 UNFCCC Paris Climate Summit. Please add any information on climate actions in comments below.
The Climate Action Hub at Daily Kos seeks volunteer ambassadors of climate activism to work on our 'eco swat team' in local communities and here at Daily Kos to disseminate information about the growing role of civil society in climate solutions. Join us here at Daily Kos to contribute your skills and experience. We need all hands on deck!
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