On September 4th, an organization called the U.S. Climate Emergency Council is holding a 24-hour fast meant to further raise awareness about global warming. As such gestures go, it seems like quite an appropriate one. The burdens of climate change are likely to fall most heavily on the poorest people and there is good reason to believe that agriculture will be seriously affected. (See this post on C3 photosynthesis, for instance.) Participating in the fast could provide a visceral approximation of what a changing climate will mean for many people, while highlighting the moral importance of the issue.
As of now, about 800 people have signed up for the fast. It is being discussed – along with the broader context of climate change protest – over at Grist.
[Update: 10:47am] I think I am going to do this. As far as I know, it will be the first time I have ever gone 24 hours without eating anything. I will permit myself water only, though climate change may leave that in short supply also.
While I like the idea, and will likely take part, at least for the day, I am somewhat leery of claims made by this page. Speaking of the “health benefits” of fasting and the ubiquitous yet elusive “toxins” that seem to be the focus of so much alternative medicine really puts a damper on my enthusiasm. This fast shouldn’t be about the health of the faster. Furthermore, magical thinking is not something that needs to be associated with climate change.
Are you going to do this?
It is a unique way to end the Labour Day Weekend.
OK, I’m in but I don’t know whether I’m supposed to do this on UK or US time… what do you reckon?
I posted about this on Metafilter (not linking my own site, of course).
Antonia,
I am going to do it on my own time. It is not particularly important to me that other people are also doing it. This is more about comtemplation than solidarity, for me. I will probably go midnight to midnight, Ottawa local time.
I’ve scheduled my going-away dinner this day. I suppose I could begin a fast at 7pm the preceding evening and break it at the Foundation.
Fasting for Our Future
By Will • Apr 20, 2009
I am joining over 200 people around the United States and in 6 countries today in Fasting for Our Future. We’re not eating — for one day, two days, a week, or some people longer — as a call for strong US federal action on climate change.
The fast begins today as members of US Congress return to Washington D.C. from their spring recess, and some people will be continuing the fast for up to 40 days or more. The 40 day mark will symbolize the need for the United States to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% (below 1990 levels) by the year 2020.
In the fall of 2007 you were part of a Climate Emergency Fast which saw 1500 or more people fast for from one to over 100 days for strong climate legislation. I am writing you now to ask you to sign up to be part of a rolling “Fast For Our Future” that was initiated about a month ago. This rolling fast will be continuing up until the important United Nations climate conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in December.