One year ago today, I fasted in Lima at COP20. Today I fast again, in Paris at COP21. Along the way I joined a 365 day long human fasting chain on the 21st of April 2015. We are hungry for Climate Justice.
Two years ago in Warsaw, Poland at the beginning of COP19 Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines. At the time, then Climate Comissioner Yeb Sano spent three days trying to get in touch with his brother, and family. Tacloban, the area hardest hit by Haiyan was Yeb Sano’s home. When Sano finally got in touch with his brother, he hadn’t eaten in close to three days, instead he was moving the bodies of some of the 6,000 people who were killed by Haiyan. In what has become one of the most memorable, moving and heart-wrenching speeches in COP history, Sano announced he wouldn’t eat until the end of Warsaw. That he wouldn’t eat until the ‘madness’ of the Climate Crisis was addressed. In a mark of solidarity hundreds from around the world joined him.
Out of this came the Fast for the Climate movement encompassing youth, environmental and faith based groups. One year later and COP20 began in Lima, Peru. Another Typhoon hit the Philippines, and we were still hungry for Climate Justice. Fast for the Climate resumed fasting on the 1st of December 2014. With thousands of people all over the world taking part, including the country of Tuvalu.
COP2O Lima Fast for the Climate Action
This fast in Lima would spark the beginning of a year long action connecting a human chain of 365 fasters, one everyday until today the 1st of December 2015. These 365 people were accompanied by thousands more fasting alongside them. In particular on the first day of every month, for the last 12 months.
COP21 Paris Fast for the Climate Action
Today we expect close to 10,000 people to Fast for the Climate all over the world. In Paris tonight, those of us fasting here at COP21 will gather to break our fast together, celebrating with friends, our delegations and a international community of Climate Activists.
Our actions are those of people wanting a safe climate future for all. While our bellies may be full tonight, we will still be hungry for Climate Justice.
All posts by Institute delegates reflect their own thoughts, opinions and experiences, and do not reflect those of the Institute.