OK, I’m a little nervous to admit to the world that I’m fasting for climate change. When I mentioned it this morning to my fiance, he shrugged and gave me a firm and somewhat sarcastic, “Goodluck”. (I was hoping for a “Darling, I’m so touched by your passion for the environment.”) I know, it might sound stupid – where is the connection between going on a 24 hour self-imposed hunger strike on the day of my office Christmas party and actually helping climate change?
There really is none. In fact, even the organisers said so much (well, not worded like that, but similar sentiments).
Right, so you might be wondering what exactly is this fast all about? I signed on last night at www.350.org in their call for a global fast to ‘can send a signal that we as humanity are united across borders, and ready for change–rising above short-sighted interests for a fair and just world for all [Their accenting, not mine].‘ The fast was inspired by young advocates who have fasted for 42 days under appropriate medical supervision. Their fast coincides with the most crucial talks about climate change to date, the Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change organised by the United Nations. So, the crew over at www.350.0rg, one of the more influential campaign groups of our time headed by Bill McKibbon, also called a last-minute call to fast, timed with a crucial day of the Climate talks.
So, what is this 350 number all about, you wonder? 350 is the number of carbon parts per million that is condusive to a safe environment to live. Unfortunately we’re now at 387. Unfortunately, as a result of the climate talks, with many of our leaders not committing to change, and it has been projected that by the end of the century, carbon parts per million will be 770, which means a scorched planet and goodbye to you and me and our families and our next generations and all the things we love so dear.
So, I guess that’s the reason why I’m fasting. Because, deep down I have a lot of hope for our future. Because I don’t think it’s too late. Because, I really, truly want to get back to 350. Because I don’t want to tell my children (if I should even be bringing children into a world that might get to 770 carbon parts per million?? Is that even responsible?), anyway, as I was saying, because I don’t want to tell my children that I didn’t do everything I physically could do to reverse the destructive path our society seems to be on.
