Climate Justice Fast

It is snowing in Copenhagen

Submitted by Anna Keenan on Fri, 18/12/2009
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It is snowing in Denmark.



In the last two weeks, we've been told in a number of cute climate-speeches by Danish politicians that that it hasn't snowed in Denmark in December for the last 5 or 6 years. It's a story backed up by Danish grandmothers, turkish grocery-store owners and taxi-drivers across the city.



But yesterday, the city was covered in a beautiful dusting of white. The big, fluffy flakes that fell throughout the day appeared just like those in my sub-tropical childhood's imaginations that were so inspired by the Danish fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen.

I, and many others here in Copenhagen, feel that this snow can only be a good sign and a blessing for the movements that are gathering around the COP15. A sign of hope.

Yesterday, Thursday 17 December, there were tens of thousands of people around the world, and especially here in Copenhagen, who choose to go without food alongside us, for 24 hours, as a symbol of their dedication to the climate movement, and in solidarity with all those who are currently suffering the effects of climate change.

Regardless of the political or legal deal that gets signed-off today by Heads of State, regardless of whether the 'United Nations' negotiations this week ends in true 'unity', or whether it becomes the 'Divided Nations', we have seen major shifts in the climate movement in the last two weeks. We have become more united, more committed, and more beautiful than ever before.

At the 'Klimaforum' movement space on Wednesday, there was a briefing given on the experience of activists from the 'Reclaim Power' action and walk-out, organised by the CJA (Climate Justice Action) and strongly supported by the CJN (Climate Justice Now) network. They said that it was beautiful to see so many diverse movement philosophies working together, across philosophical differences, and in a true spirit of non-violence. When we presented our idea for a day of fasting today – for an action that is definitely very different to anything that the movement has seen in the last few years – I was actually totally taken aback when everyone cheered and applauded.

The candlelight vigil last night was well attended, by over 800 youth from the climate movement, and other climate-movement leaders also. It was powerful, moving, and hopeful – in spite of the shameful political backtracking that we have seen here at COP15.

At the vigil, I took the opportunity to ask the crowd a question – whether we would, as members of the movement, give up after what looks like failure at COP15, or whether we will fight on. A lot of people have been working their butts of for COP15, and the talk of a 'movement downturn' in early 2010 have been rich. People saying that they would retreat back to their 'real lives', back to their homes, take six months off before getting back into it. Or that they would just change careers completely.

But when I asked whether people would quit or whether they would stick on, when I asked whether people were committed to work to achieve sustainability until we won, when I asked whether people were in this for the next four decades, they said yes, loudly, to every question.

This is what the day of fasting was about – showing our dedication to the movement with our bodies. Showing that we are willing to forego personal gain because we believe in something larger than ourselves. Showing our devotion to achieving sustainability. Those 800 people in Copenhagen who went without food for 24 hours, who attended the vigil, and those tens of thousands around the world who participated, are today affecting change in their communities.

To each of those people, we thank you for your strength, your courage, and your devotion to both changing your lifestyles and to changing politics as part of the climate movement. Thank you for refusing to give up.