Climate Justice Fast

UK CJF rolling fast is rolling and growing

Submitted by UK rolling fast on Fri, 13/11/2009
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I feel rather daunted that the words I am writing will sit alongside those of the long-term fasters, for this is the most remarkable group of people I have ever made contact with.

The UK rolling fast is rolling and growing. We now have a group of 11 people: Ruth, Isobel, Jonathan, Oliver, Nigel, Ceri, Dominic, Sarah, Alastair, Ben and myself. Between us we will be holding a relay-fast until the end of the Copenhagen conference in support of CJF.
I'm Howard and I feel rather daunted that the words I am writing will sit alongside those of the long-term fasters, for this is the most remarkable group of people I have ever made contact with.
Three years ago I became quite ill and unable to walk without support. I had to reappraise my previously active life and focus on something, so I decided to become fully informed about climate change and its likely impacts. Thus began an incredible journey that has changed my life completely.
I soon grasped the devastating long term global consequences of the climate crisis with the incredible injustice of afflicting poorer nations in the short term. The very same nations that had not contributed to the carbon profligacy of our own insane consumer culture.
I decided to do all that I could to tackle this challenge.
Then I was diagnosed with a spinal tumour and faced a more personal struggle, but with tremendous healthcare and support from my young family I made a near full recovery.
Since then my productivity has astonished me!
From letter writing and street campaigning to paper submissions and fundraising, from project management and community engagement to media work and direct action, from song writing and graphic design to newsletter edits and public speaking.
Ever since the start of all this the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen has been on my horizon as the best shot we have at solving the climate crisis. As this has approached and despite the mind-bending stakes, I have become increasingly concerned that sufficient agreement looks unlikely.
Then I heard about Paul and Anna and CJF.
The hunger strike is a powerful tool and the fact that young people with everything to lose are prepared to wield it in the cause of climate justice has deeply impressed me.
Unlike much of my environmental work to date, fasting is not particularly fun and the consequences are obvious.
The long term fasters are throwing all they've got at this one and I am honoured to fast in support of them.
I'm currently taking one day a week and will attempt to fast for the 12 day duration of the COP 15 alongside Dom, an Oxford graduate.
I shall upload details from other members of the UK rolling fast.

Love and Respect