Fast for Climate Justice

Typhoon Haiyan served as a stark reminder to delegates at the UN climate change negotiations in Warsaw, Poland last year.

It also spurred a chain of fasting for climate justice. Last year Yeb Saño, lead delegate for the Filipino delegation, made an unscripted pledge to fast to show solidarity with his country in which many were unable to find food to eat. Saño’s actions were viewed with scepticism but, many joined him in showing solidarity and to make calls for climate justice.

Since then a coalition of organisations have been mobilising people to take part in the climate fast. The movement has grown as thousands of people, particularly from Christian and secular organisations, across the world have joined. The first day of every month has since been declared ‘Fast For Climate Justice Day’.

Today, December 1, marks the first anniversary of the fast for climate justice and also the start of the talks in Lima, Perú. Adding to the significance of the fast this year is recent news that Yeb Saño may not attend these negotiations.

Frances Witt of Christian Aid says: “The fast is beginning to have an effect and people are beginning to take notice as it begins to have more of a global impact.”

She noted that high level negotiators are also beginning to participate in the fast along with various other high level officials. Witt expressed hopes that COP20 will create a very clear road map towards the Paris negotiations in 2015.

The fast serves as a reminder of climate change and the need for movement from government and negotiators on climate justice.

Witt added that the fast is a great way of getting involved in the climate movement and serves as a time of personal reflection. She posited that the fast has served as a gentle way of talking to people about climate change, in a non-threatening way about something that’s very important.

Fasters have expressed a commitment to maintain their monthly fast until meaningful action is taken towards addressing climate change.