Dear Friends,
This week an unprecedented 115 world leaders will convene in Copenhagen to forge a global agreement on climate change. Thanks to the organizing efforts of citizens around the world, all of these decision makers will be in the same room. As a global community, we need to ensure they make the right decisions.
The bad news is: there is only one week left and the climate negotiations are still deadlocked.
The good news is: this is our opportunity to shift the debate.
To our leaders: Give us the deal we need for survival. Give us the tools to transform our world.
Citizens around the world have the moral high ground. Let us not wait any longer. We must unite and make the moral declaration that nothing short of an equitable science-based treaty is acceptable.
The science is clear. The technological and social tools needed to reduce carbon pollution are ready. The public is waiting .
Our governments are stalling.
We call for all people across the world, to join us in a global day of action on climate justice: Hunger for Survival.
People all over the world for one day will voluntarily go without food, drinking only water - on Thursday 17th December.
We call for moral leadership, from our world leaders:
- Reduce the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere to well below 350ppm as rapidly as possible
- Commit to end both fossil fuel use and deforestation, beginning with eliminating subsidies for these industries, wholly redirect them into renewable energy, reforestation and sustainable agriculture.
- Ensure protection for the world’s most vulnerable people by making adequate provisions for climate finance for developing countries to deal with the effects of climate change, and promote sustainable energy development that is economically sound and consistent with science
While we demand that our governments act, we also commit to examining our own lifestyles and priorities.
We want to break our habit of over-consumption. While others struggle world wide to meet basic needs, we challenge the idea that excess is virtuous. We will us our daily economic and political choices to reward those who promote nourishing and life-sustaining policies, rather than those who abuse the planet and its people.
As we experience hunger this Thursday, our collective expression of devotion and self-sacrifice will send a strong signal to our leaders that we are united and ready to overcome these global challenges as one people.
We stand in solidarity with the millions who have and will lose their lives due to the preventable and involuntary hunger, disease and conflict resulting from climate change. Copenhagen is the moment, we all need to show leadership and courage.
History has shown the power of fasting. Gandhi used it as a tool to unseat the British Empire’s powerful grip over India. The American, English and Irish women suffragists used it to gain the right to vote.
On the day of our fast, world leaders will be presented with the names and stories of all the participants. Images and articles about your fasting will flood the international media. Your actions will clearly demonstrate that the time for political compromise is over.
Commit to join Hunger for Survival, the global day of fasting for climate justice, here.
You can also help to promote the day of fasting on Facebook!
With Love,
The ‘Hunger for Survival’ team - Anna, Sara and Paul, Deepa, Marcie, Madeline, Shadia and many others - supported by members of the International Youth Climate Movement present in Copenhagen.
P.S. Together we will be joining 3 courageous individuals who have been fasting for 42 days – supported by hundreds of others – in the lead up to these negotiations as part of the Climate Justice Fast! Their dedication and sacrifice is the inspiration for this ambitious project.
P.P.S. Many notable leaders in the climate justice movements, including author and activist Vandana Shiva, Former Prime Minister of Ireland Mary Robinson, Head of the UN World Food Programme Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of Greenpeace Kumi Naidoo, Naomi Klein and President of the Maldives Mohammed Nasheed will also be joining in this fast and moral call. Click here to see the list of participating leaders.
And promote the event on Facebook by joining our event page.
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