Climate activists fast to push leaders to sign strong deal at Copenhagen
John Vidal
guardian.co.uk, Friday 6 November 2009
Scores of environmental activists from five continents have begun a fast to put pressure on countries to agree a strong deal at climate negotiations in Copenhagen next month.
Two of the activists, Anna Keenan 24, an Australian, and Sara Svensson 22, a Swede, launched their water-only Climate Justice Fast today at climate talks in Barcelona, and expect to go without food for more than a month until environment officialsmeet in Copenhagen.
They called their action "a moral response to an immoral situation" and expect to be joined by hundreds of other young people in Australia, Europe and the US who will fast for shorter periods.
"The whole world needs to wake up to the tragedy of climate change. Politics as usual is a massive injustice to the poorest people, the planet and to future generations," said Anna Keenan, an Australian who has degrees in physics, maths and environmental studies and has worked as a government adviser.
Svensson admitted to being inspired by Gandhi: "Fasting is the one weapon that God has given us in times of utter helplessness. This is such a time. I do not intend to go into this as a kamikaze suicide mission," she said. "I do this out of love of life. I hope it will inspire others. Your goal in life cannot be to just be comfortable and ignore the consequences. This is a positive act."
The two women, who have long histories of campaigning, said that other forms of activism have not worked. They will now travel by boat to Copenhagen next week, and will be under medical supervision throughout.
"We are not asking people to join us. But a large number of people have said they want to join in. At least 150 people are fasting today and others will join us on a rotational basis," said Keenan.
They were backed in Barcelona by Agnes Kushanl, a Kenyan aid agency worker with Cafod: "I applaud them. Many people in my country are dying from hunger because of the failed rains. We need more such courage. The people who have contributed least to climate change are suffering the most. It is really, really bad back home."
- Why We Need A New Climate Change Narrative
Rio SousaBy Richard Mathews, 24/02/ 2014We need new narratives to combat the pervasive popular and political inertia. Our old narratives are not working and may even lead to apathy and indifference. Despite the scientific consensus about anthropogenic...
- Um Estudo Científico De Elevado Interesse: "estamos Realmente Adaptados às Alterações Climáticas?"
November 1, 2010 Download the PDF press release here Find the scientific article in Global Environmental Change here Download the scientific article as a Word document here McGill Study Asks “Are We Adapting to Climate Change?” Delegates from around...
- Crónica ( A Ler Até Ao Fim!) What Really Happened In Copenhagen?
The iron fist of the market versus iron in the soul of the social movements By Anne Petermann and Orin Langelle Monday, February 01, 2010 Anne Petermann's ZSpace Page Join ZSpace When the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the UN Framework...
- Quem Venceu O Prémio Angry Mermaid Award 2009? Monsanto
Monsanto wins award for worst corporate climate lobbyist in CopenhangenThe winner of the Angry Mermaid Award 2009, announced by award-winning writer and journalist Naomi Klein at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen today is the biotech giant Monsanto...
- Condoms For Climate Change?
posted by: Beth B. 22 November 2009 71 comments If left unchecked, global climate change has the potential to drastically affect our access to fresh water, adequate food, and ample landspace for housing and...