This fast is being organized as part of the Global Climate Convergence: Ten Days to Change Course from Earth Day to May Day.
The Global Climate Convergence is a movement for democracy and justice that is sweeping the globe. People are rising up against the crisis of economy, ecology, and democracy. The growing climate disaster intensifies all our struggles, creating new urgency for unified action.
– CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO JOIN THE FAST –
Why are we calling for a 10-day fast?
The scientific evidence is now incontrovertible that humans are responsible for causing the planet to warm. Since the Industrial Revolution we have been pumping greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere at such rates that temperatures will have risen by 5 degrees Celsius by the end of this century, a period of little more than 200 years since the first coal power plant went into operation in Germany in 1878. The last time the Earth saw such an increase was transitioning from the Ice Age to the current warm period which carried humankind into civilization. That event spanned 10,000 years. So this transition is happening much faster: the alarm was raised internationally in Berlin in 1995 at COP1 (Conference of the Parties) which led to the Kyoto Protocol which entered into force in 2006.
In the early 1980’s life on Earth was similarly threatened by the possibility of a nuclear holocaust. As nuclear weapons poured into Europe, an International Fast For Life was initiated. Bringing thousands of people around the world to support this fast, national leaders responded and the Fast helped reduce tensions and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Today people are once again looking to fasting as a way to respond when all else has failed. At the latest world gathering talks in Warsaw last November – COP19 – the delegate from the Philippines, Naderev Yeb Saño, made a passionate appeal to those assembled to “stop the madness” in the wake of super typhoon Haiyan, the strongest storm ever to make landfall on the planet. Saño completed a 12-day fast. With no progress in Warsaw, Mr. Saño in January of this year called for people around the world to fast the first day of each month to show solidarity with vulnerable people who are most affected by dangerous climate impacts. By choosing not to eat on the first day of every month, a growing movement of fasters are calling for world leaders to act to confront the climate crisis.
Yeb Saño is supporting a 10-day fast action set to begin on Earth Day 2014. In conjunction with Mr.Saño, The Global Climate Convergence, in preparation for a year now, will connect cities around the world so that people can join in actions to build on the existing efforts to appeal to world leaders, who have thus far fallen short of any decisive action at the international level. Fasting, as evidenced by Gandhi, can prove decisive in confronting a moral injustice.
Fasting for the Climate is a Fast for Humanity
Yeb Saño, January 20 2014
In every struggle, we search for answers. At every crossroads, we reflect on where the paths may lead us. For every injustice suffered in this world, we try to find meaning. As we search for answers, reflect on where each path would lead us, and make sense of the injustice in our world, it is all part of a spiritual journey – one that leads to simply making this world a better place for all of us.
In Warsaw during the UN Climate Change Conference, we confronted the disquieting reality that the climate crisis continued to unfold before our eyes with a vast multitude of people around the planet staring at this menace and suffering from what has become one of the greatest injustices of human history. In the aftermath of the strongest typhoon that had ever made landfall, we realized the immense trail of devastation that the storm had left behind. In solidarity with the Filipino people and with many communities around the world dealing with the impacts of climate change, we embarked on a fast for the climate. We continue this fast every first of each month, in the same spirit of solidarity.
A planetary awakening has begun and as we fast, we realize the connection amongst us, and we recreate the bonds of interconnectedness that had been congealed by centuries of alienation from the very source of life and the higher forces that guide us to a higher consciousness. As we fast, we strengthen our connection and kinship, and we lend credence to the belief that fasting involves a discipline that helps us evolve as beings. It is in this way we become instruments of justice.
The power behind fasting lies in its purity of purpose and the sense of selfless impetus necessary to embark on fasting. It is devoid of hate, anger, or pride. This is the power of the fast – because it is meant for our aspirations of a better world. Fasting nourishes our soul and takes care of that moral hunger in our hearts.
Fasting for the climate is one such fast that we embark on to confront the planetary crisis, to correct the injustices and inequities of history. With God as our guide, we muster the courage to pursue this spiritual awakening for the sake of humanity.
Let our fast be instrumental in this global awakening. Let it live in the hearts of people and transform the world. Let our fast be the spark that ignites the fire and fervor of the peoples of the world to claim the moral victory to attain climate justice. As the fast is a means to purify our souls and our hearts, let it likewise purify the world.
We are exceptionally inspired that millions of people around the world have embraced this call for climate action and climate justice. This global awakening is profoundly uplifting and amazing. The fast is part of a spiritual journey, a peaceful struggle that the world must go through to end this madness. It is very humbling and deeply touching to see that the world is now starting to realize that the planetary crisis reflects a deep moral crisis in each one of us and that to confront the global problem means to confront ourselves.
Our unity of spirit will be the guiding force for a better world. This is a wonderful and amazing journey. I am honored to be walking with many of you.
