http://www.climatejusticefast.com/index.php/blog/ en paulrobertconnor@gmail.com Copyright 2010 2010-07-07T17:03:55+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/the-politics-of-love/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/the-politics-of-love/#When:23:57:04Z In the Gandhian tradition, in the tradition of Martin Luther King, and indeed in most religious and spiritual traditions also, we are told that we must maintain our integrity, refusing to attack and insult our opponents and enemies, and instead to extend our love to them. When we choose fight against their actions, and even condemn those actions, but while extending love and forgiveness to our enemies as people, then we are strong within ourselves. See this in action during Van Jones' award acceptance speech last night: Check out the rest of the brief blog at http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/27/jones-beck-love/ I feel it approprate to reference one of Gandhi's sayings appearring on this site - that 'Justice will come when it is deserved, by us being and feeling strong.' 2010-03-03T23:57:04+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/framing-we-can-solve-it/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/framing-we-can-solve-it/#When:19:53:31Z Recently on 'It's getting hot in here', one of my favourite climate-movement blogs, there has been some discussion on language and framing in the climate debate, as well a surprisingly long debate on "whether renewables can solve it" in the comments of my last blog on the site. In response to both these things, and after a long hiatus from posting on the Climate Justice Fast site, I have been prompted to share this extract from "Beyond Yes We Can" - a piece that I wrote this time last year, in a period of post-Poznan reflection. Post-Copenhagen, much of what I wrote then still applies.“The Language of Certainty” The choice on whether or not to speak with certainty and faith about ‘winning’ and ’success’ on climate change is similar to our choices of language around the effects of climate change. Consider, for example, the difference between the two sentences: ‘As a result of climate change, the Great Barrier Reef will be irreversibly destroyed.’ or, ‘If we fail to solve climate change, the Great Barrier Reef would be irreversibly destroyed.’ The first sentence implies that climate change, and the Reef’s loss, is a certainty, whereas the second still holds within it the power of human choice, bringing human agency into the equation. Most climate communicators over the last two years have learnt to be very careful to use the language of agency, rather than the language of imminent destruction beyond our control. This subtle change results in empowering and motivating language, and encourages the audience to make a choice between alternative futures, rather than accepting fate. Science without movement theory embedded in its communication is depressing and disempowering. When communication resigns someone to accept inevitability, we lose the opportunity to engage them with the movement, and so the movement is weaker than it could otherwise have been, and becomes more likely to fail. Choosing such ‘inevitability’ in communication thus becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Knowing that language holds the power to bring different futures into being, our choices about communicating whether we will win or not are similarly crucial.  On solutions to climate change, it is rare to see language couched in certain terms, but this is a conscious choice that we can make.  Should we choose to say: ‘Over the coming decades, we need to move to a low-carbon society, transforming our energy systems, our production systems, and our consumption habits,’ or, ‘Over the coming decades, as we move towards a low-carbon society, we will transform our energy systems, our production systems, and our consumption habits.’ The first, in the language of need, implies a daunting, formidable task. The second, however, is an invitation to be involved, to learn more, and to prepare for the transition. Hope and a vision for the future is embedded and the (r)evolution becomes inevitable, an irresistible, political, force. Whether we choose the language of need or the language of certainty has the power to bring about transformation. But if we don’t personally have certainty and belief in change, we cannot use such language with integrity and honesty.  I feel ready to use the language of certainty, and I encourage everyone to explore these beliefs for themselves. === I also wanted to add an ‘afterword’ on this extract, and support the sentiment of the recent post by Juliana Williams. She wrote: Hope is passive.  Hope is what you have when you have exhausted all other options.  As Derreck Jensen writes, “To hope for some result means you have given up any agency concerning it.” By placing our Hope in Obama, in Congress, in the UN, we tacitly resign ourselves to the idea that the outcomes are out of our hands. I agree – but only if you define ‘Hope’ as a ‘passive’ thing. If you instead define hope in ‘active’ terms, as does David Orr in this wonderful interview, you can reclaim the word ‘hope’ from its superficial campaign branding, and then discover a much truer definition of ‘hope’ – hope through action, and hope in the movement. It is when you understand deeply this definition of hope – as distinct from naive, passive optimism and faith – that you can truthfully use the ‘language of certainty’. I suggest that deep in his heart, even Derrick Jensen shares this ‘hope’ in the movement: “And when you quit relying on hope, and instead begin to protect the people, things, and places you love, you become very dangerous indeed to those in power.” 2010-03-01T19:53:31+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/the-end-of-cop15-and-the-end-of-the-fast.-so-how-do-we-all-feel/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/the-end-of-cop15-and-the-end-of-the-fast.-so-how-do-we-all-feel/#When:21:59:26Z Distress, confusion, hurt, anger? Hope, passion, energy? Emotion! Let it all out, people! Personally, I am feeling a very strange and beautiful feeling today, as we concluded the fast, after 43 days entirely without food, coinciding with the disappointing end of COP15. It is a mix of feelings - disappointment at politics mixed with hope for the future, met expectations (regarding the politicians' lacklustre performances) mixed with passion and love, excitement and inspiration (for the peoples' climate movement), and finally, a very strange sensation of taste in my mouth and nutrition in my belly once more. For COP15, the tension and the expectations were high. A 'fair, ambitious and binding' deal was called for by 12 million people across the world. We got none of it. Instead we got a huge disappointment. COP15 will not go down in history as the moment when the world, humanity, people of all nations and creeds, came together and united for the common good of all future generations. What a pity. It is actually pitiful. A complete shame. So what the hell happened, and what do we do now? Deepa Gupta, one of the founders of the Indian Youth Climate Network, who has been solidarity-fasting with us on one meal a day throughout the COP, summarised it well: “For those of you who don't yet know, last night 5 countries - US, China, India, Brazil and South Africa brokered a deal - the Copenhagen Accord, and then proposed it to the rest of the world to accept. It has no legal committments, it aims to target 2 degrees (but their actions are setting them to 3 degrees rise) [ed: while the most vulnerable nations are calling for 1.5 degrees, because 2 degrees is a death-sentence for them, and 3 degrees is runaway global warming, a death-sentence for all of us], and the money on the table is not only lacking, but it has many strings attached. Essentially it's an easy way for countries who didn't want to make strong committments, to get away with it. It has completely disregarded the UN framework that attempts to far more democratically put all countries on an equal footing, and shut out the voices of majority of the world.”   The best blow-by-blow that I've seen of what happened in the plenary sessions after Obama left Denmark, somewhere around 2am, after signing this weird 'Copenhagen Accord' is here and here and here. Pretty much everything that comes out on www.itsgettinghotinhere.org is awesome anyway, and it will offer a variety of insights from a number of different perspectives. It covers some of the things that were said in plenary between 3am and 7am on Saturday morning. The whole conference wrapped up a few hours after that. What a god-damn mess.   In the time since the summit concluded, I've received these messages (these are just a selection) via facebook, twitter, email, and blog-comments etc:   “I am sad and I am angry.”   “Why are we always waiting on Obama?”   “I just cannot believe what came out of the talks, in a state of shock and disbelief that it has come to nothing. Prevention demands foresight and our sorry excuses for leaders suffer a dire lack of foresight.”   “Obviously deeply distressed and disappointed about what happened in Copenhagen yesterday/over the past fortnight.”   There is obviously a whole lot of emotion flying around at the moment. But I urge everyone not to slip into despair - because the movement is growing, it is powerful, and because we will win.   Instead of despairing and feeling frustrated, use your frustrations and your despair and express it to create change. If you are emotional, use it in a constructive way, channel it to where you feel it will have most effect. Make your emotion felt. Rock somebody's core.   Whether it is your family, a friend, or a politician, and whatever type of action it is - a phone call, a protest, a letter, I have learnt from the Climate Justice Fast that our emotions, our heart-actions, are some of the most powerful actions that we can take.   Another comment:   “US Senate just approved $626 billion defense bill; 3.4% pay raise 4 military; just like that, but drag feet on planet survival & health bill at Copenhagen. Says it all!”   This last point is right on – this is pretty much the 3rd ~US$600 bn bailout for the US military alone since 2008. The total amount required for climate adaptation and sustainable energy/mitigation in developing countries every year is US$400bn annually, maximum, worldwide.     Personally, despite all of this crap that has come out the end of COP15, I am feeling more hopeful and more powerful than ever, because in spite of political failure and inaction, I can see the wheels off change turning and greater public dicontent churning up everywhere.   Political turmoil is what we need right now.   The world needed a shake-up and it got one with the failure of COP15.   This stuff – the 'Divided Nations' instead of the 'United Nations' - is way better than some nice-looking political declaration that makes people across the world believe that politicians are going to save them. If we'd had that sort of outcome, it would have given the world's population false hope. Maybe now the general public will start to find this interesting, and will start to pay attention.   Even better, maybe they will start to get really pissed off and actually get off the couch and do something about it. Maybe now we will start to activate our 'participatory democracies' again - and beyond just the usual activist core. Maybe now people will participate and realise that if their global democracies aren't functioning, it is up to them as citizens to hold their governments accountable.   Ultimately, this is why I have decided to come off the fast - because I have a whole lot more to give to the climate change movement yet. There is a whole lot of work to be done. And I need to get stuck into doing it - as does each and every one of us.     So what do we do from here?   Do we give up? Do we take a break post-Copenhagen and come back to campaigning in 6 months time? No! We regroup, we refresh our souls, strong in the knowledge that we have a powerful movement that will not give up – a movement that will keep fighting until we win.   So what do we do? We ACT, of course!   I wanted to share these other messages that I have received in the last day. They demonstrate our call to action now, and are a pointed reminder that in times of despair, the only path to hope is THROUGH action:   “If you hold love for me, your child, friend, sibling or your future, you will need to participate in this fight for freedom. ... Please work with me - each one of you - to secure it.”   “The fight continues and somehow we will, all of us together, make the changes necessary. It was incredible to have taken part in the worldwide fast that began on the 17th. It proved (again) that the world wants to change asap.”   “I have also come to the conclusion that the idea our elders are wise, is false. In fact you and your (younger) generation are the "elders" with a deeper wisdom and compassion that must be heeded!”     And while it is poor practice for a blogger (me) to reference a blog (Ted's) that references another blog by the original blogger (me), I wanted to post a link to from Ted Glick – evidently someone who feels the exact same way that I do! Check it out: http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/day-44-day-1 2009-12-19T21:59:26+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/it-is-snowing-in-copenhagen/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/it-is-snowing-in-copenhagen/#When:19:58:53Z 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. 2009-12-18T19:58:53+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/bringing-moral-force-to-cop15/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/bringing-moral-force-to-cop15/#When:22:32:24Z Bring Moral Force to COP15 in a Vigil for Survival THURSDAY DEC 17 - Copenhagen All events are at the ØKSNEHALLEN, Halmtorvet 11, 1700 København V (Next to Central Station and Klimaforum) 1000 people will join fasters who have reached the 42nd day of a hunger strike for climate justice, in a Candlelight Vigil for Survival. WHEN: 17:00 (sharp) RSVP: http://www.avaaz.org/en/real_deal_rsvp/?id=149592 We will gather in the Øksnehallen space for a solemn and powerful event recognising the urgency and gravity of the moment--and urging leaders to rise to the world's call to action. We will hear from speakers from vulnerable communities, multiple faiths, and from two inspiring young women who have fasted for 42 days – eating no food and drinking water only – as part of the Climate Justice Fast. Then, after a minute of silence, we will move one by one to bring forward candles, flowers, or notes with our wishes for a just future.The images and personal moments from this event will be a powerful moral call to our leaders and will be a time for refreshment and reinvigoration of our own passion and energy. MORE EVENTS FOR THE DAY DESCRIBED BELOW.Note: On Thursday, thousands of people in Copenhagen and around the world are fasting in solidarity with those who have and could lose their lives to preventable and involuntary hunger, disease and conflict resulting from climate change. Join at www.avaaz.org/fast and spread the word on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=227106867068 We will fast together for 24 hours, voluntarily going without food and drinking only water. If you will join the fast, you may choose to have your last meal at any time on the 17th – although we ask that you do not bring food into the ØKSNEHALLEN. You should also read these basic guidelines on 24-hour fasts. === OTHER EVENTS as part of the DAY OF FASTING: WHAT: Reflection and writing session WHEN: 10:00-12:00 We will provide writing and blogging materials, or you can bring your own. Why are you fasting? What is your vision for the sustainable future that we are working to create? Write it down! Record it! Write blogs. Create video-blogs. Read sustainable literature. Share stories with each other, transmit your messages back home to your friends, family, and political representatives. Write letters to your Head of State, or to the leader of another nation – in the afternoon, we will deliver your messages directly to the negotiations. === WHAT: Open Space WHEN: 12:00-17:00 The ØKSNEHALLEN space will be freely available with peaceful music, time for open discussions, planning together for 2010, reflections, guided meditations, meeting other activists and caring for each other. (Some volunteers to help set up the candlelight vigil would be appreciated!) ===   WHAT: OVERNIGHT STAY in ØKSNEHALLEN! Participants in the fast are also welcome to bring (warm!) sleeping bags and to stay overnight together on Thursday night in the ØKSNEHALLEN as part of the fasting and vigil, and to prepare together for the final day of the COP15 on Friday. Participants  are responsible for their own warmth and comfort, and are requested not to bring luggage. === WHAT: Day of Fasting Press Conference (Bella Centre) WHEN: 14:00-14:30 WHERE: Asger Jorn Room, COP15, Bella Centre, København The press conference will describe the global day of fasting – including the thousands of citizens who are fasting for 24 hours around the world – as well as providing an opportunity to hear from a young woman who has reached the 42nd day of the Climate Justice Fast. We will present statements from solidarity fasters who are leaders in the global climate movement, including Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed, Vandana Shiva, Bill McKibben, Naomi Klein, Kumi Naidoo, Mary Robinson, the Head of the UN World Food Programme, and a number of delegates from AOSIS and African nations. 2009-12-16T22:32:24+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/humanity-is-hungry-for-survival/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/humanity-is-hungry-for-survival/#When:00:37:11Z Dear Friends, This week an unprecedented 115 world leaders will converge in Copenhagen to forge a global agreement on climate change. It is thanks to the efforts everyone concerned about climate change that these decision makers will all be in the same room. However we, together as a global community, need to ensure they make the right decisions. The bad news is that with only one week left, the international climate negotiations are still deadlocked. The good news is that this is our opportunity to step things up. The science is clear, and the technological and social tools to reduce carbon pollution are ready and waiting.  Our movement has the moral high ground.  Now, we must unite and make the moral declaration that nothing short of an equitable science-based treaty is acceptable. Humanity is hungry for survival. We are therefore calling for all people across the world, to join a single global day of fasting - voluntarily going without food, drinking only water - on Thursday 17th December. 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! We are calling for moral leadership, which can be achieved if our following calls for climate justice are met: 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 elimination of subsidies for these industries, to be wholly redirected 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 to promote sustainable energy development that is economically sound and consistent with science But we aren't just demanding that our governments act.  We are also committing to examining our own lifestyles and priorities.  We want to break our habit of over-consumption, challenge the idea that excess is virtuous, and use 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 grow hungry together 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, sharing a common humanity.  We will 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 that we all will need to show leadership and courage.   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. 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 images of all the fasters who participate. Images and articles about your fasting will flood the international media. Your actions will drive home that the time for political compromise is over.  It is time to do what is simply, morally, right.    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, and President of the Maldives Mohammed Nasheet will also be joining in this fast and moral call. Click here to see the list of participating leaders. Don't forget to promote the event on Facebook by joining our event page. 2009-12-15T00:37:11+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/cjf-press-conference-in-copenhagen-tuesday-8th-dec/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/cjf-press-conference-in-copenhagen-tuesday-8th-dec/#When:10:16:50Z Part 1: Part 2: Part 3: 2009-12-11T10:16:50+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/interview-from-cop15-on-democracy-now/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/interview-from-cop15-on-democracy-now/#When:19:40:45Z Reposted from Democracy Now: 2009-12-09T19:40:45+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/cop15-it-begins-and-theyre-saying-all-the-right-things/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/cop15-it-begins-and-theyre-saying-all-the-right-things/#When:10:52:58Z Right now, I am sitting in the 'Plenary 2' room of the COP15, which started just a few hours ago. I'm sitting on the carpet on the floor in fact, because it is packed out and there are no chairs left. And the 'Plenary 1' room is totally full as well (only people with tickets could enter, no laptops, jackets or bags allowed), so here in Plenary 2 we're just watching the talks on video. So what have they been saying? And does it matter?Prime Minister Rasmussen of Denmark has spoken, Dr Rajendra Pachauri of the IPCC, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Yvo de Boer, and the President of the COP Connie Hedegaard (Denmark's COP15 Minister). They have all made impassioned speeches calling for 'ambition', 'commitment', 'consensus' and so on. They have called for action that reflects the science, for binding and not just 'political' decisions, and for major changes to come in the next two weeks. They talk about protecting the most vulnerable nations, and protecting future generations. Connie Hedegaard said that, with these two weeks of negotiations, "the time has come to set the right course for our world - while we still can." She urged all the negotiators - "Let's open the door to the low-carbon age!" "Yes, there are many obstacles. But it is up to us in this room now to overcome them. The science has never been clearer, the solutions have never been more abundant, and the political will has never been stronger, and will never be stronger... If we miss this one, it could be years until we get another opportunity like it." The thing that strikes me from the sessions today is that they are all *saying* the right things. But will it translate into action? Will it translate into emission reduction? Because meanwhile, while all these negotiators are discussions, there are shopping malls all over the world, blaring pop music to make people want to consume more, bright flashing lights saying 'eat this doughnut!', 'buy this popcorn', and glamorous images and mannequins that destroy the self-esteem of teenagers, making them want to buy more skimpy, glamorous clothes that they can barely afford. Meanwhile, there are 'happy family' ads on TV's and bus-stops everywhere selling appliances, flat-screen TVs, bigger cars and bigger mansions that they simply don't need. Meanwhile, there are failures in public transport in my city and most cities, people in rich countries are developing diseases of over-consumption because they don't play enough sport, and they have lost all knowledge of how to grow food and feed themselves. Meanwhile, wealthy countries still think that getting richer, increasing GDP, increasing consumption, is their top priority. Australia - speaking on behalf of the Umbrella Group, just said in the same breath that they want to reduce global emissions only 50% by 2050, (Lame. Science says 80% is needed.) and that they are committed to 'success' at Copenhagen. How can something that is less than scientifically necessary be defined as success??! Crazy! How disconnected are these negotiations from 'real world' solutions? What sort of changes can we expect even if a binding deal is signed at the end of these two weeks? Yvo de Boer said that 'Copenhagen will only be successful if it starts to bring practical change on the day that this conference ends.' I would suggest that in order to achieve such a goal, we will need a lot more than a binding legal agreement from all the nations of earth. We will need a shift of consciousness - a deep realisation that this challenge - addressing climate change - must now be the top priority of governments everywhere. Not just GDP growth. This conference, if we are to solve climate change, must be the end of the neo-liberal 'growth is good' paradigm that has persisted for the last 30 years and ultimately, caused this climate crisis. We will then, over the coming months and years, need compassionate, honest and earnest values-leadership, a communication from global leaders, from NGOs and from global citizens, at the end of this conference that our lifestyles in the developed world are about to change, and change for the better - that we must get to work - practical, on-ground work - creating a world where our highest goal is happiness instead of material gain. Where we lead lives rich in arts, sports, nature, health, family, community, and where we learn to be happy with 'enough'. And where we begin to create a world free of fossil fuels, and where we re-grow forests rather than cutting them down. For developing nations, these things - the need to reform the greed and over-consumption of the developed world, to end fossil fuels and deforestation - are literally a matter of life and death. Grenada on behalf of the AOSIS group just said that 'They will not accept a made-for-television solution' out of these talks. Papua New Guinea said that 'c onsensus' in the UNFCCC process is not even acceptable to them if it means that any decision made here would be based upon the lowest common denominator. They cited the existential threat posed to its citizens and communities by climate change - especially rising sea-levels - and said that they would not support any agreement that compromised the survival of their nation. These nations need real solutions, and we are fasting in solidarity with them. Ultimately, the solutions must come at all levels - global, national and local. So yes, what they are saying today does matter. COP15 is a great opportunity - perhaps the greatest that we have ever had - to awaken world consciousness and to start creating these solutions. But it won't just take the form of a political agreement at COP. It will take a deep, true, and moral values shift as well. So I'm glad that Climate Justice Fast is here! 2009-12-07T10:52:58+00:00 http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/good-days-bad-days/ http://www.climatejusticefast.com/blog/entry/good-days-bad-days/#When:22:48:43Z It has now reached the end of my 28th day of fasting. Four complete weeks without food. It is perhaps the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life, but then, it has also been incredibly rewarding and eye-opening. A grand test of my self-discipline. There have been good days and bad days. Most have been good. Today, on the other hand, was not so good.Perhaps it is a sign of things to come. I must admit that I am scared about what day 35, day 40, and later will look and feel like. At the moment, I find that if I go to bed, I can´t sleep. So I stay up, writing, organising, doing something, until I get tired. I did that last night until 2am. Then this morning, didn´t wake up til 11. Then it took an hour to get out of bed, an hour to shower and get dressed, an hour to pack my bag for the day, and an hour to get where I was going. By which time it was 3pm and the sun was setting. That didn´t feel so nice. Yesterday, however, was a great day. We did TV interviews for Swedish TV, newspapers, radio interviews for prime-time Danish pop-culture radio, and got lots of work done. When people asked how I was feeling, I would answer ´Fabulous! Ever since Day 20, I actually have been feeling better every day. It´s like I have the energy of this whole, big climate movement coursing through my veins!´ But then today I crashed. You win some, you lose some, I suppose! Here´s to tomorrow being a ´good day´! 2009-12-03T22:48:43+00:00